ACTIVITIES OF MARINE PARK GROUP
Park Managers:
The SBWEMP has 3 co-managers who all bring different experiences
and expertise to the office. In addition to day to day office
administration, there are a vast number of other jobs including
the securing of grant funding, providing information to visitors,
establishing an education outreach program, media relations,
project co-ordination, finding new members, organizing fundraisers,
securing partnerships with relevant conservation organizations,
attending work shops, and obtaining donations.
Park rangers
and police: The Park employs 4 full-time boat captains
from 3 separate communities. Several of our captains
are former fishermen and lobster poachers that have since
become adamant conservationists as a result of having alternative
sources of income. These captains operate a 12ft boat
with a 15hp petrol engine and another 20ft in length with
hybrid capabilities including an electric engine, used for
the majority of the patrol, and a 15hp petrol engine, for
when speed is of the essence. National police are paid to
accompany the patrol boats, as our organization does not have
the legal authority to apprehend law-breakers. The patrols
are designed to deter poaching and illegal fishing practices,
as well as to ensure dive operator compliance with the rules
and regulations of the Park. As poachers are active
during all hours of the day, patrols operate during dawn,
day time, dusk and the night time.
Future activities
include:
Stakeholder Involvement
and Participation
The SBWEMP is working
closely with local dive operators and other tourism/conservation
associations within the Park. Dive operators collect diver
admission fees; provide orientation concerning the rules and
regulations to visiting divers and act as the eyes and ears
of the Park. In addition, the Board of Directors is made up
of representatives from the diving community, thereby creating
an integrated level of communication between the Park, dive
industry staff and clientele.
The park also depends
on the help of volunteer groups comprised of local divers
and visitors willing to lend a hand. There are always small
tasks to help out with at the Park so all offers are gratefully
accepted.
Financial Mechanism
The SBWEMP is entirely
self-financed and receives no funding or subsidies from the
local government. Revenue is generated by memberships, the
reef user fee, snorkel rental, grants and donations. This
income covers the running costs of the Park, but further funds
are needed to run any special education, interpretation or
research and monitoring projects. Plans are currently under
discussion to implement a user fee from ALL users of the Park,
including snorkelers, yachters, windsurfers, etc.
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