CEP Technical Report No. 36 1996

CEP Technical Report No. 36 1996: Status of Protected Area Systems in the Wider Caribbean Region
Country Profiles

IUCN MANAGEMENT CATEGORY	No. of Protected Areas (PAs)	PAs with Marine or Coastal Zones	Extension
Category I	1	1	3,700
Category II	1	0	17,300
Category III	0	0	0
Category IV	0	0	0
Category V	0	0	0
Categories VI-VIII	0	0	0
Biosphere Reserves	1	0	63,000
World Heritage Sites	0	0	0
Ramsar Sites	1	1	3,700
Total (1)	3	2	87,700

(1) Totals have been adjusted to avoid double counting areas that are classified in 2 or more categories.

Formerly a French colony, Guadeloupe (including the islands of St. Martin and St. Barthélémy) since 1946 has had the status of an overseas department of France. In 1974 it also became an administrative region. The territory is covered by French legislation some of which is applicable specifically to Guadeloupe. More complete coverage of French law is found in WCMC (1992).

Provision for the establishment of national parks is given under Law (Loi) No. 60.708 "relative à la création de parcs nationaux" of 22 July 1960 (Annex I), and related enforcement decree, No. 61.1195, 1961. The creation of a national park is by a decree which lays down regulations and arrangements for development and management, the level of protection, and lists permitted activities. Guadeloupe National Park was established under Decree No. 89-144 of 20 February 1989 "créant le Parc National de la Guadeloupe" (Annex I). This decree also provides for the creation of the statutory body, also called "Parc National de la Guadeloupe".

Provision for the establishment of nature reserves is given in Law No. 76/629 "relative à la protection de la nature" (Annex I), and a decree which relates to the implementation of this Act. Decree No. 87-981 concerning creation of Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Nature Reserve (Décret portant création de la réserve naturelle du Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin) (Annex I) of 23 November 1987 provides details of activities prohibited within the reserve.

Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention, 1983)

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, 1973)

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar, 1971)

Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage, 1972)

Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP, 1981) and its Specially Protected Areas & Wildlife Programme (SPAW, 1990)

The French governmental body responsible for the establishment of parks and reserves (and setting hunting regulations) is the Department of Nature and Countryside (Direction de la Nature et des Paysages), which is part of the Ministry of the Environment (Ministère de l'Environnement). National parks have an administrative council with the total membership fixed by decree. The council decides, in principle, how the park is to be administered, managed and regulated. However, the executive director is responsible for day to day administration.

The main objectives of management are the protection of nature, landscape and sites, and to ensure the biological diversity within the territory; keeping the area available for present and future generations; developing respect for nature and contributing to sustainable development. Under French legislation, nature reserves may be managed by diverse organisations.

Within Guadeloupe, management of the existing nature reserves is the responsibility of the "Parc National de la Guadeloupe", a public, national establishment of an administrative character, under the control of the Ministry of the Environment. The Parc National de la Guadeloupe administrative body comprises a management team of approximately 40 people, the budget for 1991 was US$2.7 million.

The Office National des Forêts (ONF), a public industrial and commercial organisation, is responsible for management of all state forests. The ONF co-operates with the Parc National de la Guadeloupe administrative body in co-managing the national park, which is principally forest. The ONF is also responsible for management of all state owned forests (38,800 ha). One director is responsible for both the ONF and the National Park, all other staff are employed specifically in either the ONF or the National Park (Anon. 1990).

Various other public organisations are involved with protected areas and species. The Regional Directorate for Environment (Diréction Régionale de l'Environnement), within the Ministry for the Environment (Ministère de l'Environnement), and the Regional Department of Maritime Affairs (Direction Départementale des Affaires Maritimes) are involved with administration.

Research organisations include the Université des Antilles et de la Guyane (marine and terrestrial ecosystems); the National Institute for Agronomic Research (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) (INRA) (forest ecosystems, Silviculture, Guadeloupe herbarium, in co-operation with the National Park); the French Scientific Institute for Development through Co-operation (Institut Français de Recherche Scientifique pour le Développement en Coopération, ORSTOM) and the Office for Geological and Mining Research (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières) geological and hydrological research),the Soufriere Volcanic Observatory (Observatoire Vulcanológique de la Soufrière).

Most of Guadeloupe consists of two large islands (joined by a mangrove swamp) Basse-Terre, volcanic and mountainous, and Grande-Terre, limestone and flat. The smaller associated islands are either volcanic or limestone. The islands of St Martin and St Barthélémy lie 250 km to the north-west. Only the northern part of St Martin belongs to Guadeloupe. The southern third is Dutch.

Basse-Terre rises to much greater altitude than the other islands, reaching 1467 m at La Soufrière volcano. Most land below 400 m on Basse-Terre, and almost all but the northern coastal region of Grand-Terre, is cultivated or developed. Vegetation is, therefore, largely modified. The only natural growth on Grand-Terre is Man-induced scrub woodland.

In 1986 Basse-Terre still had untouched rain forest and lower montane rain forest (Davis et al 1986). In 1977 it was estimated that woods and forests occupied 70,000 ha (Anon. 1979, Portecop 1984). Much of this comprises the forests at higher altitudes on Basse-Terre, and the large areas of mangrove at the junction of the two islands. Mangrove covers about 7,500 ha. Six thousand hectares of which occurs at Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin, and is the largest area of mangrove in the Lesser Antilles (Davis et al 1986, Imbert et al, n.d.). Reefs occur to a greater or lesser extent around all the islands forming the Guadeloupe archipelago (UNEP/IUCN 1988).

Guadeloupe's three protected areas all contain marine and coastal resources, and their combined area is equal to 49% of the island's landmass (these figures include the marine extension of these areas). The Biosphere Reserve de l'Archipel de la Guadeloupe encompasses 63,000 ha of land and territorial sea and includes the National Park of Guadeloupe and its surroundings, as well as the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Nature Reserve. Guadeloupe National Park consists largely of practically unexploited forests and protects a great number of valuable natural landscapes including the Soufrière volcano.

Protected evergreen rain forest covers 24,500-25,000 ha on the highest land of which 16,500 ha lie within the national park (Chabod, pers. comm., 1991). In addition, there are three proposed nature reserves which would be administered by the park, Pitons du Nord and Beaugendre to the north and west respectively of the national park, and Pigeon, an island to the west of Basse-Terre (Anon. 1991).

The creation of a marine nature reserve and Ramsar site on St. Barthélemy was accepted in principle by the National Council of Protection of Nature on 17 September 1991, and by the Minister of the Environment in March 1992. Official gazettement of the reserve was expected in the near future (Aussedat, pers. comm., 1992).

Proposals for conservation action, including establishment of areas proposed for protection, are given by Johnson (1988). Portecop (1984) identifies the three main environmental problems as deforestation, impairment of tourist attractions, and loss of wildlife. All coral reefs are under threat from human activities such as: urban development; industrial and agricultural pollution; fishing using traps; collection of corals by tourists; urban and industrial pollution; sedimentation; and subsistence fishing (UNEP/IUCN 1988).

Hurricane Hugo which swept through the Caribbean on 16 and 17 September 1989 caused devastation to Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe, both of which lay directly within its path. Mangroves were damaged seriously by the hurricane. A report on the hurricane, including its ecological impact, is given by Pagney Bénito-Espinal and Bénito-Espinal (1991).

Parc National de la Guadeloupe, Habitation Beausoleil Montéran, BP 13F-97120, SAINT CLAUDE, Guadeloupe, France (Tel: 590 802425; FAX: 590 800546)

Office National des Forêts, Division Gestion des Forêts Publiques, Jardin Botanique, BP 648, 97109 BASSE-TERRE (Tel: 590 811720; FAX: 590 814877)

Ministry of the Environment, Direction de la Protection de la Nature, Service des Parcs et Reserves, 20 Avenue de Sigur, 75302, Paris 075P, France (Tel: 33 4291740; Fax: 33 42191772)

Association des Amis du Parc National de la Guadeloupe et de l'Environnement, BP 286, 97100 BASSE-TERRE

Université des Antilles et de la Guyane, BP 771, F97173 Pointe à Pitre Cedex (Tel: 590 938600; Fax: 590 92 06 57)

Direction RJgionale de l'Environnement (DIREN), RiviPre des PPres, Bologne City, Basse Terre 97102 Tel: (590) 816990 Fax: (590) 812663

Anon. (1979) Le Parc naturel de la Guadeloupe. Présentation sommaire pour l'Association Caraïbe pour l'environnement. Treizième Assemblée Générale Annuelle, Guadeloupe, 22 septembre. 27 pp.

Anon. (1990) Note sur la politique forestière de l'Office National des Forêts en Guadeloupe. Office National des Forêts, Guadeloupe. 8 pp.

Anon. (1993) Forêt Departementale Domaniale de la Guadeloupe-Réunion d'Aménagement 1991-2000. ONF, Guadeloupe.

Davis, S.D., Droop, S.J.M., Gregerson, P., Henson, L., Leon, C.J., Lamlein Villa-Lobos, J., Synge, H. and Zantovska, J. (1986) Plants in danger: what do we know? IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. 461 pp.

Imbert, D., Bland, F. and Russier, F. (1991) Les milieux humides du littoral Guadeloupéen. Office National des Forêts, Guadeloupe. 61 pp.

Johnson, T.H. (1988) Biodiversity and conservation in the Caribbean: Profiles of selected islands. ICBP Monograph 1, ICBP, Cambridge, UK. 144 pp.

Pagney Bénito-Espinal, F. and Bénito-Espinal, E. (1991) L'Ouragan Hugo: Genèse, Incidences Géographiques et Ecologiques sur la Guadeloupe. Parc National de la Guadeloupe, Guadeloupe. 208 pp.

Portecop, J. (1984) Guadeloupe. In: Wood, J. (Ed.), Proceedings for the Workshop on biosphere reserves and other protected areas for sustainable development of small Caribbean islands. US Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. 190 pp.

UNEP/IUCN (1988) Coral Reefs of the World. Volume 1: Atlantic and Eastern Pacific. UNEP Regional Seas Directories and Bibliographies. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK/UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya. 373 pp.

Definitions of protected area designations, as legislated, together with authorities responsible for their administration.

Title: Loi no. 60/708 relative a la création de parcs nationaux (Law no. 60/708 relating to the Creation of National Parks) and Décret no. 61-1195: pris en application de la Loi du 22 juillet 1960 instituant les parcs nationaux (Decree No. 61-1195: for the enforcement of the Law of 22 July 1960 for the establishment of national parks).

Brief description: Provides the general framework for establishing national parks.

Administrative authority: Ministère de l'Environnement (Ministry of the Environment), Direction de la Nature et des Paysages (Department for Nature and Countryside).

Parc National (National park) For the conservation of flora, fauna, subsoil, climate, water, and natural environment in general, and to prevent degradation. Sites are declared by individual decree of the Council of State. The limits of the territory declared under the decree may include national maritime waters. The legislation allows for the establishment of a buffer zone around the park where none of the protective constraints applies.

The Decree of 1989 lists the behaviour and activities which are to be restricted and details of penalties to be imposed for contravention against the law. Hunting (but not fishing) is banned from all parks, as is interference with the flora and fauna, film-making, professional photography, publicity and the usurpation of the "national park" label. There are generally restrictions on commerce and industry, public and private works, mining, water-use, and public access is controlled. In reality for these latter restrictions there is usually a complex system of prohibitions and exemptions based on each individual decree of classification. Forestry and agricultural activities are generally continued although they are closely monitored to ensure that they do not come into conflict with the main purpose of the park.

Title: Loi no. 76/629 relative à la protection de la nature (Nature Conservation Act No. 76 629); and decrees relating to the implementation of this Act (including Nos. 77/1141; 77/1295; 77/1296; 77/1297; 77/1298; 77/1300).

Brief description: A wide ranging Act, covering "the protection of natural areas and the countryside, the preservation of animal and plant species, the maintenance of biological equilibrium through the protection of natural resources against all causes of degradation". This Act includes framework provisions for the definition, designation, and establishment of nature reserves (definition given below), voluntary nature reserves, and biotope protection orders.

Administrative authority: Ministère de l'Environnement (Ministry of the Environment), Direction de la Nature et des Paysages (Department for Nature and Countryside).

Réserve Naturelle (Nature Reserve) Where the conservation of the fauna, flora, subsoil, water, mineral and fossil deposits and, in general, the natural surroundings is of particular importance or which require the suspension of all artificial intervention that might lead to their degradation. Classification of sites may include areas of French territorial waters.

Factors taken into consideration include: preservation of species and habitats; conservation of botanical gardens or arboretums; preservation of biotopes and formations of geological, geomorphological or speleological interest; preservation or creation of stop-over points on major migration routes; scientific or technical studies and sites of particular interest for the study of evolution.

Established with the approval of the Ministry of Environment under an agreement of a contractual nature. Subject to the owner's consent the decision to establish a reserve is issued in the form of a decree; if the owners object, publication is followed by a survey and the reserve is designated by a Council of State decree setting out details of permitted activities.

Title: Décret no. 87-981 portant création de la réserve naturelle du Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin (Decree No. 87-981 concerning creation of Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Nature Reserve)

Brief description: Provides regulations for activities permitted within Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Nature Reserve.

Réserve naturelle du Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin (Nature reserve) Prohibited activities include: hunting; introduction of undomesticated animals or plants without appropriate authorisation; apart from fishing, to cause any harm or disturbance to plants or undomesticated animals, nests, eggs, hides etc. The Préfet of the Republic may take any measures necessary to ensure conservation of animals and plants within the reserve and to control overabundant species.

Fishing is only permitted from boats, subject to regulations; traditional agricultural activities may continue. Any pollution of the water, air or soil is prohibited, as is any private or public work apart from that which is necessary to maintain the integrity of the site.

Title: No. 89-144 créant le Parc national de la Guadeloupe (Decree No. 89-144 creating Guadeloupe National Park).

Brief description: Provides a definition of Guadeloupe National Park, and peripheral area.

Parc National de la Guadeloupe (Guadeloupe National Park) Agricultural, pastoral and forest activities may continue to be practised freely in their current form providing they conform to regulations. Methods of traditional cultivation in the Grande-Rivière des Vieux Habitants valley are maintained by long time residents. New agricultural and pastoral methods are only permitted following special authorisation. On land liable to overgrazing, livestock numbers may be fixed by the appropriate authority.

Prohibited activities include all hunting and fishing; introduction of non-domestic animals; damage or disturbance of any sort to eggs, nests animals or plants (with the exception that medicinal plants and certain others may be collected); collection of rocks and fossils; all industrial, mining and commercial activities. Sports and activities notably walking and swimming may continue, with competitive sport being subject to prior authorisation.

Zone Péripherique (Peripheral zone) Area in which tourism is encouraged, traditional activities maintained and new activities developed, but without any specific and newer regulations.

Name of area	IUCN & National Mgmt. Categories		Presence of Marine or Coastal Zones	Area ha	Year Established
Grand Cul de Sac Marin	I	NR	YES	3,700	1987
Guadeloupe	II	NP	YES	17,300	1989
L'Archipel de la Guadeloupe	IX	BR	YES	63,000	1992
Grand Cul de Sac Marin	XI	RW	YES	3,700	not avail.
Subtotal		4	4	87,700