Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5277/-1/140/
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Anguilla's Bio-diversity Strategy And Action Plan
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Under the ever so popular phrase of sustainable development that has been resounding throughout Anguilla of late, the Ministry of the Environment is doing its part to ensure Anguilla moves forward.
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L-R Dr. Floyd Homer, Hon. Osbourne Fleming and HE The Governor, Mr. Stanley Reid (Ag)
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At a press conference held at the Anguilla Tourist Board on Tuesday, October 8, The Honourable Chief Minister Mr. Osbourne Fleming, HE the Governor Mr. Stanley Reid (Ag.) and the Director of Environment Mr. Karim Hodge spoke about the ABSAP (Anguilla’s Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan). Joining the panel was the Chairperson and Coordinator of Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr. Rhon Connor, as well as Dr. Floyd Homer, an expert in environmental science.
Mr. Reid gave an overview of the reason behind the need for such a plan for Anguilla. He highlighted the UK White Paper on Partnership for Progress and Prosperity. Citing chapter eight, Mr. Reid noted the following four policy objectives: 1. To promote sustainable use of the Overseas Territories natural and physical environment for the benefit of local people. 2. To protect fragile ecosystems such as coral reefs from further degradation and to conserve biodiversity in the OTs. 3. To promote sustainable alternatives to scarce resources or species which are used for economic purposes 4. To enhance participation in and implementation of international agreements by OTs. He also indicated that the UK White Paper requires OT Governments to develop appropriate, applicable and affordable environmental policies, legislation and standards. These comprise the basis for integrated environmental management systems to enable them to monitor and evaluate progress towards achieving their environmental objectives, and lessons learned can then be fed back into policy development.
Currently, the Environment Charter, adopted in 2001 by Anguilla, as well as the Convention on Biological Diversity, are the basis of major policies on the environment in Anguilla. The NBSAP, when finished and agreed upon, will also formulate a large part of environmental legislation for Anguilla. It is needed to guide the integration of biodiversity conservation with national development priorities so as to ensure that key components of Anguilla’s natural heritage are not irreversibly destroyed or extensively degraded. The NBSAP can also be used as a wider policy and planning document to attract funding from international donors to assist in Anguilla’s conservation efforts.
In Anguilla, at the moment, there is a team comprising five people doing a situational analysis, which forms part of an on going process to establish a plan of action. The team’s work is the next step after a workshop was held in Anguilla previously to put in motion the beginning stages of the NBSAP. The team will be on island until Saturday, October 13. Dr. Homer mentioned that by the middle of next year there will be a document ready which will detail Anguilla’s plan.
In closing, Mr. Reid made some brief remarks about the dollar value assigned to some of the more frequented areas on the island. He mentioned that the various salt ponds and the harvesting of fish and lobster total almost EC $6,000,000 in revenue for Anguilla annually. There were many other revenue generating aspects mentioned, as well, which substantiates, a need to have a NBSAP to protect Anguilla’s future. As more information becomes available about the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, The Anguillian will report it. Yet, for further information, persons may contact the Ministry of Environment.
- Jason Allen