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Everything Else Bonaire: $25 Dive Tags? :-(
Bonaire Talk: Everything Else Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2004: Archives - 2003-04-30 to 2004-02-25: $25 Dive Tags? :-(
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Al Schroedel (BonaireTalker - Post #31) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 10:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The Bonaire Reporter Reporter recently proposed an increase in dive tag fees to $25. I find this proposal outlandish unless, of course, it's matched by enhanced protection from crime for divers and other visitors. So, why not have an island fee for all residents of say $5 each to pay for beefed up security? Now, there's an idea that has some merit.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Belinda Z (BonaireTalker - Post #49) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 10:35 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Isn't that money designated for preserving the reef? Don't you think that is more important than paying to protect you? You can protect yourself, the reef can't. Isn't $25 a small amount of money compared to the amount of money you spend on the rest of your vacation? Just my $0.02.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #377) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 11:01 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Belinda,

You are presuming that giving the government another $15 will improve the security on the reef...sorry, I don't buy that for a minute. If they can't protect our things on the shore, how could you expect them to protect things underwater. Throwing more money at it won't cure the problem.

Lets just call it what it is...another tax on the tourists.

Propose charging the locals $5 each and see what a howling there would be

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb schulherr (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1069) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 11:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

What percentage of average or median annual income on Bonaire would $5 represent? Compared, to, say, to ANYONE on this board? If it seems too costly, then folks will go elsewhere ( also good for the reef). Let me see, 25$ for virtually free diving all year. Oh yeah, you're much better off in the Caymans where that $25 would get eaten up the first day. Compare to Cozumel where the(ostensible) fee is $2 per day.
Frankly, anything that gets divers steamed up about protecting the reef is probably a good idea.

See link for some Bonaire economic info

http://www.whoi.edu/institutes/oli/currenttopics/ct_mpa_econ_ben_mpa.htm

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tony Selby (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 12:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

A 150% increase sounds a little steep to me. However, it won't make a big difference to me in the long run. I always buy a dive tag for my wife even though she doesn't dive. At $25, I'll just buy one dive tag instead of two.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #378) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 12:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Seb,

I respect your opinion but I am having trouble with the logic. I am interested in hearing how the current diving tax $$ are spent and how the increase will be spent. Just to say "protecting the reef" is hardly an explanation. Volunteer groups currently police (clean up) the dive sites. Moorings already exist. I have never seen divers destroying reefs...yes, some bump into coral but the Reef police won't cure that. It took over a year to replace the ladder at Oil Slick. The dive operators already provide the mandatory briefings. Comparisons to Caymans and Cozumel are not especially relevent. If most people go to Bonaire 1 time a year for 1 week, at $2/day thats only $10 (assumes diving for 5 days)...the only people who get a year of diving for $25 is the locals. The last time I checked, my costs for a week of diving is close to $1500 and every little tax increase is significant. Yes, food in the Caymans is more expensive but this fee is not going for food.

Tell me they are going to use the money to provide security and I would be willing to listen. Tell me the money will be used to improve the pullover sites.

tax and spend, tax and spend, tax and spend; I want to see accountability

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2918) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 2:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Gregg,


quote:

my costs for a week of diving is close to $1500



where do you dive? I spend $99 dollar for a week unlimited shore diving, $189 for 6 boat dives with unlimited shore diving and $279 for 12 boat dives and unlimited shore diving. Add $10 for a tag and a 5% sales tax. I'm ready for $208. What kind of dives do you make??

Just wondering...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1199) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 3:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

AFAIK, the government doesn't see one penny of the Marine Park fees. Those $15 (or $25) go straight to Stinapa, who dearly need it to stay alive. And Stinapa in its current form has nothing to do with security at dive sites.
(Feel free to correct me on this if I'm wrong)

I don't understand the fuss. If I go skiing for a week, I pay some $150 just to use the lifts. That's per week! A Marine Park tag is for the whole year!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #379) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 3:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Martin,

You forgot the $700+ plane ticket, $500 lodging $225 for PU truck, $300 for food/liquor, $25 to the donkey sanctuary, $25 to the animal shelter

plus the costs of actual diving as you quote...except for the plane ticket, these $$ are pumped into the economy of Bonaire. I usually fly to Cur or Aruba so there is even some of the airfare that goes to Bonaire. Since divers usually go in pairs, double that total amount.

The tourist industry sustains the economy of Bonaire...The "pink bus" supplied a subtle security service to the south shore dives and I applaude Phototours for that support...I fear the proposed 250% increase in the dive tax would go toward hiring more beuracracy with very little going to the reef. I'd rather see a $.10 tax on the local newpapers (ie Boniare Reporter)and see how their distribution suffers.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb schulherr (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1071) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 3:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Greg, it's been $10 since 1991. I'd love to hold our own government accountable,never mind Bonaires, but that's not going to happen either. I'd love to see the marine park have enough money to hire a few rangers on scooters, put in small lockers and freshwater showers at the dive sites, stop the rock anchoring by fishermen, and get really snappy uniforms too.

If you are paying $1500 for everything (air,food,room,vehicle,diving for one) you are doing pretty well. What would be a valid comparison to Bonaire if not Coz or Caymans? Belize, Honduras, USVI, or Dominica? I don't know anyplace where the diving is as cheap or as good as Bonaire. There are (mostly) no armed guards, and I've yet to return from a night dive on Bonaire to a punk with a machine gun and a huge flashlight in my eyes.
Security at the dive sites is not so great, and is not so different from security around the island in general I suspect. Like life, it's a gamble.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Endrizzi (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #261) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 3:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When I go some place to dive I like to get in as many dives as I can. I usually get over 25 dives every time I go to Bonaire. The increased fee (tax, if you prefer) will still average less than a dollar a dive. I think Bonaire does more to protect their reef than any other place I been diving.

The change that I am upset about is that I have heard they no longer stamp a flamingo in your passport when you come through customs. I haven't been to Bonaire in nearly a year but I am going back this month. I want another flamingo in my passport. :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3617) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 7:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

It costs 100 dollars to get on Galapagos,not that I've ever been there..not yet anyway. I think Bonaire is worth the 25 dollars... Now the prices they charge to develop film...now that's outragous!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By joe brannan (BonaireTalker - Post #79) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 8:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Face it, we'll all pay it if we want to dive Bonaire. It really doesn't trouble me too much, espcially since it is a Stinapa fee. We'd not whimper if plane tickets or car rentals went up because costs have increased for airlines or car rental companies and most of us, at least in the US, take fluctations in gas prices as simply reality. An observation, though, Seb says $10, Marc @ Crystalvisions says $15, There seems to be a bit of confusion, I thought it was $10. We seem to naturally distrust a governmental or, in this case I think Stinapa is non-governmental, charge but we rarely question prices when private businesses like utilities or the petrochemical industry raises prices. Perhaps we just like to rail against the gubbmint (no I'm not a government employee). Just one guy's opinion

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By joe brannan (BonaireTalker - Post #80) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 8:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I forgot something........Seb, great data, it'd be interesting to see how it plays out now. I'm betting that hotels, dive shops, hospitality, food, etc have skyrocketted relative to the income from the Stinapa charges.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Myers (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 9:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I will be back again in April for two weeks plus. I would be willing to pay a fee/tax that gives some security to the dive sites, ala Pink Bus. The bus seems to attract divers, even to adjacent sites, because of perceived safety.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4592) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 11:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Marc has it right in terms of where Marine Park Tag money goes to.

BTW, for comparison, Saba requires a $3 fee PER dive...

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rneer (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1178) on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 11:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

simple answer - make more trips per year

12 days and i'm off for my third "hit" on my last $10 tag...

and even so $25 dollars is a very small percentage of the cost of a week's stay in bonaire - any mathematicians out there?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2767) on Saturday, November 8, 2003 - 12:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm not a diver (we are snorklers) but we buy tags each year anyway to support The Marine Park/STINAPA. I have no problem with the new fee. It goes to a good cause. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Julia Graves (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #272) on Saturday, November 8, 2003 - 9:23 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bob and I have always thought that $10 was far too little. Even if you make no comparisons to anywhere else it is a very small amount compared to other costs of a diving holiday.
I personally do not feel the need for extra facilities. I just want STINAPA to be able to continue with what they are doing without having to worry about where the next pot of yellow paint is coming from.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Endrizzi (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #263) on Saturday, November 8, 2003 - 12:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jake,
Good point. I dove three days in Saba in July and I had to pay a $42.00 fee there. So $25.00 for a year of unlimited diving in a better dive location doesn't seem bad at all.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (BonaireTalker - Post #62) on Saturday, November 8, 2003 - 1:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Based on research I have read as to the damage being done to coral reefs (i.e. Cayman Islands), I have no problem paying $15.00 more to STINAPA. At least they are attempting to protect the reefs on Bonaire if I understand their function correctly.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Starkweather (BonaireTalker - Post #39) on Saturday, November 8, 2003 - 9:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have no problem with the 25$ tag. It cost that to go to the grand canyon for 1 day. However, I would like to see the anual reports of STINAPA to see where the money is being spent. How the reefs are being protected.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bart Snelder (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Sunday, November 9, 2003 - 11:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi all,
As a dive operator I have no problem if the fee goes up if that ensures the proper functioning of the BNMP and or Stinapa. After all, good management of our natural resources is in my direct interest. And I will dutyfully give briefings, orientations, and, having to spend in time and effort, amounting to over a weeks instructorpay as cost every month. However I do believe there are a lot of park users who do not currently pay anything at all, such as surfers, kiters, fishermen, kayakers, boaters etc. To me that group is the next source, not an increase on the tag price itself. Of all the tourists that come to the island only just over half are divers. Dare to milk other sources for once. Second, one of the reasons the fee seems to have to go up, is the drying up of off island resources, such as grand funds, governmental funds and the like. I believe the efforts to gain acces to these can and must be stepped up. The elected board of stinapa has a very talented group from all walks of the island life. With respect to the fact that they are mostly volunteers and get paid nothing for their hard work, there's a challenge out there. Try to have someone else pay rather than your own guests. And thirdly, tourism has suffered seriously in the last several years. This automatically also meant less income for the park system, which probably stirred this idea of increase. However this year there is a serious surge in tourist arrivals. Those that want to increase the fee,do they already have a proper insight as to what this has generated in extra income for the park?

I am sure that there are many reasons to consider an increase of the income of the park system. But I hope that the powers that be will look beyond the same old source
Bart

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George and Laura (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Sunday, November 9, 2003 - 12:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Let me try to clear up the $25 charge PROPOSAL. The park fee is still $10 a year. $25 is a new proposal, the Island Council has already been approached to raise STINAPA's Marine Park fee to $15 and apply it to ALL watersports.
Of the proposed $25 fee a portion, perhaps $10, would go to support other non-profit nature organizations on Bonaire. These are groups like The Foundation to Preserve Klein Bonaire (who fought a 5-year battle to get Klein declared a nature preserve... and won), Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (who with the FPKB are tracking Klein Bonaire's breeding sea turtles with GPS transceivers), Bonaire's Bat Action Team, Donkey's Help, The Animal Shelter, Mangazina di Rei, the new Foundation for Coral Protection founded by Kalli DeMeyer and other groups who are part of Bonaire's Nature Alliance.
They, like STINAPA, are always fighting to preserve Bonaire's environment.
Like Bart Snelder commented, the "traditional" funding sources are disappearing and Bonaire could use more help from its visitors. That's where the extra $15 will go. The government isn't part of this initiave but has to OK it. A few hundred e-mails to the Governor at [afdgezag@bonairelive.com] in support of this idea wouldn't hurt.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1546) on Sunday, November 9, 2003 - 1:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

It seems to me that watersports user fees should be devoted to watersports and marine environment support.

The several general island not-for-profit and topside environmental groups mentioned in the 'George and Laura' post should not be supported only by watersports users. Support for them should come from some other tourist group(s) and/or general island and resident fees. In particular, please don't try to support the island's 'internal' functions on the backs of tourists: that is the purpose of general taxes. Not many tourists get a lot of benefit from the Animal Shelter, for instance, as worthy a cause as it is.

In general, those who benefit should be the supporting group. That is what the diver's tag fees have been and should be.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2779) on Sunday, November 9, 2003 - 1:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I just sent a note off to the Governor, George. I believe the monies should be primarily used for the Water/Marine preservation efforts, but I have no issues with some of the funds being used/distributed to other non-marine "worthy/qualified" organizations, also.

I won't get into "who" will deem organizations as "worthy/qualified" as that will create a whole other issue and topic. One has to hope and trust that the funds will be used appropriately. That's my opinion. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By joe brannan (BonaireTalker - Post #84) on Sunday, November 9, 2003 - 1:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mr Argumentative speaks

I don't think the "bonaire experience" starts and stops at the waters edge. I actually like the idea of spreading the support around (so long as the original STINAPA mission is still supported). I don't think you could experience bonaire diving (which I truly love) without the whole island ambiance/environment and support for the bats, donkeys and animal shelter all add to that ambiance as much as turtles, reefs and coral. I've already sent my email to the governor (never had a Governor's email addy before BE VERY AFRAID). I figger $25 a trip (or a year) is less than a happy hour (which never seem to only last an hour).

just one guys thoughts

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bart Snelder (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Sunday, November 9, 2003 - 3:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Many people may have found the comment: 'let others and not our own guests pay' farfetched, but let us not forget that stinapa is a foundation for all the parks in the Netherlands Antilles, not just Bonaire. Since most separate departments of stinapa(Statia & St Martin parks) are in such deep financial trouble, it is entirely conceivable that if you send a message of good will to the governor, who then approves with the island council in favor of the increase, your money may end up in St martin!


Never mind the can of worms as to what NGO qualifies on Bonaire itself, to benefit from a "NATURe FEE". Already three in the George and Laura post are questionable: Magazina di Rei, to which I have contributed to, is a cultural based NGO. The donkey sanctuary, to which I contributed money, wishes to protect the donkeys, which are a pest, not a boon, to nature, no matter how cute. The FPKB, of which I am VP and co_ founder has achieved its' goal and should fold, not collect money. Point being is these are voluntary contributions, in time, money, and or effort, as everybody is free to do. One makes sure the contributions go to whatever NGO one likes. I would loathe to see my time, effort, and contributions, in part go to organisations I do not wish to support, but have no choice in the matter. That sounds like 'government and taxes', rather than 'Non Governmental Organisations and contributions'.
Bart

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #380) on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 10:06 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

If George and Laura's comment about how the proposed increases will be used is true, I continue to question the right to raise the water tax. It is outrageous to expect the water sport visitors pay for every good cause in Bonaire. No one disputes the good cause for the Donkey Sanctuary and Animal shelters. However, the support for those activities should not be a mandatory fee for divers. What will be the next cause? ...food for starving children? These are good causes but are not the responsibility of tourist divers. When visitors come to the U.S. and visit our national parks, we don't have a "foreigner" tax to support the local causes.

Would someone help me and explain what Stinpata actually does (specifically) for the reef? I've seen statements to the affect that they work very hard, they protect the reef, they are underpaid

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1201) on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 12:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Gregg, no matter what you call it, someone always has to pay; most islands or countries will do it through tourist tax or airport tax, in which case the governments will get their hands on the money first. Personally, I'd prefer the Marine Park fee.
In terms of letting other NGO's benefit from that money, I'd think you'd have to limit it to Marine Park related organisations like FPKB and STC. And yes, maybe part of it should also be used to extend the responsibility of Stinapa (or an independent initiative) to dive site security (I like Seb's Snappy Rangers On Scooters idea :-) ).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #381) on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 1:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Marc,

I agree with you in general...someone always has to pay...Bonaire already does collect those tourist and airport taxes. I would rather the money go direct to Stinpata and bypass the government...I still want to know what service Stinpata actually provides. I don't think the Snappy Ranger idea will work unless the local police are willing to give up a piece of their "turf"...which I doubt

Numerous comments above from folks think the increase will go to security etc at the dive sites..I'm glad you pointed out that the increases will not go toward that...just wishful thinking. Finally somebody exposed the fact that part of the increase was to go to other charitable organizations which had nothing to do with water sports. That was the point that I was trying to raise about accountability for the $$. The world is full of great causes...however, the public has a right to support those causes voluntarily.

I strongly resent the concept of giving organizations a pile of money and then let them figure out how to spend it. They will spend every dollar. I prefer to see a proposed budget first and then decide the steps necessary to fund it...or cut the scope.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Chalk (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #200) on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 12:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dear All,

I have read the conversation in regards to the "proposed" increase in the Bonaire National Marine Park fee to $15.00 with great interest.

First of all, many good points have been brought forward and will be considered, I assure you. However, I feel I must inform you of some facts to clear up some apparent misunderstandings in regards to the following;

1)STINAPA Bonaire is a private NGO (non-governmental/non-profit organization) which was founded in 1986 as a separate entity from STINAPA Netherlands Antilles (now better known as CARMABI). Therefore any and all monies raised, donated and/or collected on behalf of STINAPA Bonaire stay on Bonaire and do not go to any other island. It is comprised of an 11 person volunteer un-paid Board of Directors representing a cross section of the Bonaire community. The Board of Directors are comprised of 1 representative from C.U.R.O. (Dive Operators), 1 representative from BONHATA (Hotel & Tourism Association), 1 representative from TCB (Government Tourism Organization), 1 representative from KRIABON (similar to a farmer's co-op), 1 representative from the fishing community, 2 representatives from the government and 4 independent seats.

STINAPA Bonaire's Mission Statement and Objectives are...The protection, conservation and reclamation of the land and waters on or, where appropriate, around Bonaire, which are of common interest either for their natural beauty, or for their scientific and historical value, or for their overall natural value in the broadest sense of the word, in order to make them appropriately subservient to the general benefit of all the inhabitants and/or visitors of Bonaire and to advise, being asked to or not, in matters
concerning the conservation and protection
of nature and of the environment in general.

The foundation strives to achieve its objectives by, among other things, acquiring the management, in any possible way, of land and waters, maintaining them in the intended state and, if necessary, reclaiming them and opening them for the public as a national heritage.

STINAPA Bonaire has been charged by the Government of Bonaire with the overall protection, conservation and management and operation of the following areas...Washington/Slagbaai National Park, Bonaire National Marine Park, Klein Bonaire, Lac Bay and the caves at Hato.

Up until a few years ago, the costs to meet these management obligations were completely funded by monies raised through grants from organizations such as WWF-Holland, WNF-Holland, Stichting Doen and many others, donations, entrance fees (WSNP & BNMP), souvenir sales and sale of goats from WS Park. Only in the past 5 years has STINAPA Bonaire received a subsidy from the government when the grant funding for the NME (Nature Education Coordinator) ran out and in order to keep this very needed position alive, the government of Bonaire and the government owned waste management company SELIBON stepped in to assist with the basic overhead costs of the position. Funding for project specific costs associated with the NME were also obtained from various organizations within and outside the Netherlands Antilles. Also with the addition of Lac Bay and Klein Bonaire to our responsibilities, the government agreed to subsidize ranger positions that would be needed for the additional areas.

2)STINAPA Bonaire, Washington/Slagbaai National Park and the Bonaire National Marine Park employ the following full-time personnel.

1 - Director
1 - Financial Administrator
2 - Park Managers (WSNP & BNMP)
1 - Nature Education Coordinator
2 - Chief Rangers (WSNP & BNMP)
8 - Park Rangers (WSNP & BNMP)
1 - Receptionist
1 - Janitorial Staff (Part-Time)

This staff provides the day to day operational management of the areas that are under the responsibility of STINAPA Bonaire to include, education and training (both local and visitors), administrative, maintenance, enforcement, coordination of visiting researchers and scientists, performance of on-island research and monitoring, providing consultation and advice to other governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations in respect to permit applications for construction within the coastal zone to include inspection and assurance that current government approved construction guidelines are being adhered to, etc..

3)STINAPA Bonaire has undergone a complete reorganization and restructuring over the past 3 years to enhance and upgrade its overall efficiency, proficiency and professionalism whereby the day to day operational aspects of the organization have been taken out of the hands of the Board of Directors and placed in the hands of the Director and the Management Team comprised of the Director, Financial Administrator, the 2 Park Managers and the NME. The Board of Directors set policy and oversee the overall operation of the organization through close liaison with the Management Team and the Director.

4)Any and all funds collected on behalf of STINAPA Bonaire, WSNP and/or BNMP stay with the entity they are collected for and do not go to other governmental or non-governmental agencies or organizations. These funds are used for the sole purpose of completing the overall mission statement and objectives of STINAPA Bonaire, WSNP and BNMP.

5) Raising of the BNMP fee - Raising of the fee has been discussed for some time, however any increase in the fee must be approved by the Island Government as this fee is dictated in the BNMP Ordinance. In the discussions on whether or not to raise the fee, it has always been made clear that STINAPA Bonaire is in favor of raising the fee, however STINAPA Bonaire also believes that any increase in the fee must include the expansion to all users who derive benefit and enjoyment from a professionally and well managed marine park and not just a certain group of users.

6)If indeed the fee is modified in any way, either in amount or those who must pay, an official statement will be issued by both the Island Government and STINAPA Bonaire and to my knowledge no such official statement has been issued.

I hope this has been informative and aids in clearing any misconceptions anyone may have on the role and function of STINAPA Bonaire and/or the areas and departments it oversees. For specific questions on the day to day operations you may feel free to e-mail the Director of STINAPA Bonaire, Ms. Elsmarie Buekenboom at director@stinapa.org . For specific information on Washington/Slagbaai National Park and/or the Bonaire National Marine Park you may contact their respective managers at washingtonpark@bonairelive.com and/or marinepark@bmp.org .

Jack Chalk, President
STINAPA Bonaire

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Fishman (BonaireTalker - Post #74) on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 2:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jack,

Thank you!

Bob

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Taft (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #233) on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 2:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank you for such a clear and well written description and explanation. It has been very helpful. BTW, I have no problem with an increase in the marine park tag fee.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #407) on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 3:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jack

Thanks for taking time to explain the changes and clearing misconceptions. I can't think of a better way to spend $15 and it was good to see a noticeable increase in ranger activity when we were in Bonaire in September.

Now how about an additional purchase of the Marine Park Tag for Underwater Cameras too.

Brian & Sue

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #384) on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 4:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jack,

Outstanding description...based on your description of the mission of the organization and the proposed use of the funds, I don't have any objection to the increase of the fees to $15. However, I still object to an increase of fees (as some have reported) to $25 in order to support other charitable organizations.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Chalk (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #201) on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 5:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I want to thank all of you for your continued support of the STINAPA Bonaire and especially the Bonaire National Marine Park.

Even though the money collected by the BNMP is dedicated to its purpose and function...I don't want to undermine the excellent effort and work of the other Nature NGO's on the island as well.

They all do an outstanding job in their specific areas of expertise and should be commended for their overall contribution to the preservation and conservation of the island's natural heritage.

In these times of dwindling grant funding and since most of the other organizations do not have a continued funding source such as admission fees, I would urge each of you, that if you have the means and/or the opportunity, to please support these extremely worthwhile, dedicated and hardworking organizations as you see fit and are able to.

Projects such as the satelite tracking of the sea turtles by the STCB are costly but extremely beneficial to the overall conservation efforts of these beautiful creatures not only here on Bonaire but around the world. The data obtained from such projects gives us more insight into the life cycles, migration habits and reproductive activity of these animals. This information in turn is vital to the drafting and adoption of rules and regulations around the world in regards to their proper conservation while at the same time protecting the rights of indigenous peoples around the world.

It is through such projects that we (mankind) hopefully will never have to add another species to the list of extinct members to an already horrifically large list.

Thank you again and I'm sorry for being so long-winded.

Jack

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Myers (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 9:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for a well stated and easily read explanation. A 5$ increase to continue maintaining the health of the reefs is a "no brainier" to me. I agree as well that all users of the water environment should pay the WSNP or BNMP fees. My 2 cents.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (BonaireTalker - Post #63) on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 10:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jack: Well Said. Your explanation reinforced my understanding of STINAPA's function; I'm glad I went ahead and emailed the Governor my support should an increase be decided upon in the future.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2802) on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 12:22 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank you for taking the time to thoroughly explain the organization and the matter to us, Jack. We have absolutely no issues with the increase being proposed. Carole and Joe

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By joe brannan (BonaireTalker - Post #85) on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 12:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sent my support email. I truly, and it's just me, don't have a problem support the STINAPA works and those of the other Environmental programs on Bonaire. As someone already said, $25 aint very much

Thanks to Jack for very good and informative information

just my thoughts
joe

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bart Snelder (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 4:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the explanation Jack, I still have a few questions though. Would Stinapa oppose or support the increase of the tagprice to $15 if it was to be paid by divers only? And would Stinapa support or oppose the increase to a "nature fee for all" to $25 as suggested in the George and Laura post?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4615) on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 12:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I can't see the $10 additional fee that George proposed going to anyone other than STINAPA, to be frank. If it went to the Nature Alliance (Aliansa), of which, last I knew, George was President of, incidentally, how would they divvy it up? Who would make that decision? I personally don't think all the organizations in Aliansa should get an equal cut of general funds derived from a nature "use tax", but heck if I'd stick my neck out and say so-and-so should get this amount, and they should get that amount, etc.

A $25 user fee for all uses going all to STINAPA seems perfectly reasonable to me. Having STINAPA collect the money and then be forced to give part of it up does not.

Jake

 


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