Please help the Bonaire National Marine Park

[reefdiva]

Recently the harbourmaster in Bonaire announced that during the 2007-2008 cruise ship season, ships would be anchored in Kralendijk Bay. The tourism board of Bonaire has been aggressively courting the cruise lines to add Bonaire to their itineraries and during this season there are days when three ships will be in port at one time. There is pier space for two and since Bonaire does not have “dolphins” for the third ship, it has been determined that the third ship will be allowed to anchor. This is in direct violation of the regulations of Bonaire National Marine Park, a United Nations Environmental Program demonstration site. The park manager, Ramon DeLeon, is against this and has expressed his concerns as have residents and visitors to the island. If you can help by sending email to protest this I would be very grateful. I do not need to tell you the importance of protecting our oceans and reefs! Thank you!!

Please send emails that protest this anchoring to:
Ronella Croes gm@tourismboniare.com
Harbourmaster robinsintjago@flamingotv.net
Local paper info@extrabon.com

 

[reefdiva]

In addition to the anchoring, cruise ship visitors that snorkel or dive for the day do not pay the Marine Park Fee nor receive the BNMP orientation. If you choose to write to any of the above folks please include a plea that cruise ship visitors pay the same fee that the rest of us pay to protect the waters of Bonaire. For more discussion of this topic please visit www.bonairetalk.com.

 

[undercbon]

This years the cruise ships will carry 153934 visitors before crew to Bonaire. For those of you coming to the island for your holiday imagine the impact this will have on everything from traffic, both cars and pedestrians, to sewage, trash and basic getting around the island. It will be interesting to see how the government and resorts plan to deal with these and other problems such as getting food and supplies into the island.

Please make your opinions known to the above addresses.

 

[pword]

There's a mistake in the above e-mail list. The tourism address has bonaire misspelled. Just a note for anyone trying to respond.

 

[reefdiva]

Thanks for picking up on the spelling mistake --- comes from too much going on after a long day at work!

 

[xiSkiGuy]

Please send emails that protest this anchoring to:
Ronella Croes gm@tourismboniare.com
Harbourmaster robinsintjago@flamingotv.net
Local paper info@extrabon.com

Corrections:
Ronella Croes gm@tourismbonaire.com
Harbourmaster robsintjago@flamingotv.net