ORANJESTAD – St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) congratulates the local government and the inhabitants of St. Eustatius for now being a part of the Yarari Sanctuary for Marine Mammal and Shark Protection. St. Eustatius joined the other BES islands when the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Mrs Carola Schouten and the Government Commissioner of St. Eustatius, Mr Marcolino Franco signed the declaration on September 20, 2018.

The number of Caribbean territories establishing a marine mammal and shark sanctuary is growing as the importance of these sea creatures becomes better understood. The next step is to implement monitoring and conservation practices. STENAPA’s Marine Park Manager Jessica Berkel and Marine Park Ranger Francois Mille are eager to use their training to protect several marine mammals and twenty-seven (27) shark species found in the Dutch Caribbean waters.

“Marine mammals and sharks play an important role in the marine environment. Where there are more sharks, there are – contrary to what you might expect – more fish as well. That makes the established sanctuary important for the fishermen on the island”, says Berkel.

The Yarari sanctuary was established in 2015.