This from the Bonaire Insider today.


Outdoor Bonaire and the Mangrove Info Center Ask for Visitors’ Cooperation with Conservation

Outdoor Bonaire and the Mangrove Info Center are two tourism-based enterprises known for their efforts to assist with preserving Bonaire’s nature. In recent months, management from both companies have watched the explosive growth of those who are taking normal vehicles, as well as off-road vehicles (quads, etc.), into the delicate mangrove area of Lac Bay, driving directly to the waterline.

This area has many flamingos and other water birds, and their normal behaviors are disturbed by those trying to get a closer look. Other ground dwelling plants and animals are also damaged--last week, vehicle tires were found directly over new re-growth of black mangrove trees.

To further educate and encourage those who are causing damage and disturbance to Bonaire’s flora and fauna, the companies have joined together in posting a notice asking drivers to stay on the road. Not only is the damage done to the island’s flora and fauna, but many vehicles get stranded in the mud of the tidal zone, and then need to be towed. Towing is expensive and causes further damage to the environment.

Those touring the Lac Bay area are asked to please help by staying on the road. (Source: Outdoor Bonaire and Mangove Info Center)

Susan, do they have any idea why the increase in activity? Is it Pod visitors?

Cynde,
In my opinion a lot of it comes from the use of quads and other vehicles perceived to be off road types by people who have no concept of nature. The amount of these vehicles in use does dramatically go up when cruise ships are in port but they also are on the roads when there are no boats.

In the past in order to rent a quad you had to have a guide who insured that you would not stray from hard road surfaces. Apparently that is no longer valid and anyone can rent them with no restrictions at all.

These vehicles have driven over turtle nesting areas and through both Gotomeer Lake and in the mangroves out by Lai Cai destroying the mangroves themselves as well as terrorizing animal and bird life. STINAPA has rangers out trying to curtail this behavior. Unfortunately they cannot be everywhere at all times. As a community we need to call 717-8444 when we see these acts being committed and let STINAPA and the police deal with the offenders. I can vouch for their eagerness to do so.

I saw some quads in the salt flats near City Shop/corner of Abraham Blvd. There are tons of birds in that area as Jerry Ligon pointed out recently. Not sure why they found sport spinning around in their. It was odd.

Thanks Susan. Ann, keep that number with you and call when you see that. So sad to hear

I spoke with Elly from the Mangrove Info Center last night, and specifically asked if she thought the increase was due to cruise ships. She informed me that, in her opinion, it wasn't necessarily attributed to only cruise ship visitors, but it was more because of the overall increase in tourism (both stay-over guests and cruise ship visitors). In other words,it was simply a case of numbers. More people on the island equals more people touring.

Disgusting! personally I hate the quads, the destruction they leave behind as well as the noise they create.. They are also extremely dangerous. But that's just IMHO. As far as I'm personally concerned they should be banned.

There is no need, or place for them on Bonaire.

Agreed Jerry and Vince. It's a tragedy that the mangroves are being destroyed.

Last August my husband and I watched in horror as three of them tore through the tide pools at Margate Bay. First time we'd ever seen them off the paved road. I wonder if an argument could be made (to whom?) that allowing non-guided rentals is not only destructive, but deprives locals of much-needed jobs?

Hi
It was July 2007 when someone asked about ATV's and I said "No they are not as yet ripping up the landscape and causing unnecessary noise and pollution" Little did I know.
Ahh Mickey

Make it punishable by a formidable fine to leave the hardball with an ATV - make sure this fact is highly publicized. Successful control of a undesireable situation starts with deterence.

We witnessed two kids tearing up the old Sunset Beach a couple of years back running over turtle nests while they were doing it. I contacted the authorities and they did locate the two fellas but I am not certain what happened to them. They were not back on the beach (at Sunset, at least) for the rest of our trip.

I HATE those things!! They will do more harm to the "larger picture" than "good" to the proprietor who will make a few bucks renting out the darn things to folks.

Not a good balance at all, is it. cb

Cann't they be banned in most area's like those water scooter things?

The government issued the permits. We are now stuck with quads and other vehicles that are being used off road. Fortunately they are not allowed in Washington Slagbaai National Park due to a successful email campaign a few years ago. Be aware that jet skis are also on the horizon.

(Message edited by sporter on April 5, 2008)

Aruba is just around our corner, I guess. What a shame. Saddens me to no end to hear of this, too, Susan.

Say goodbye to the peace and tranquility & sensative environment of Bonaire, I guess.

What the heck are the officials thinking when they permit this type of disruptive activity?? Money in hand??? Must be

(Message edited by Carole on April 5, 2008)

Does the combination of jet skis and surfacing scuba divers bring a really ugly picture to mind?

I'm with you there, grunt! Worse than kiters and surfacing divers.

It's ashame, seems like greed rules the day. We're quickly running out of little islands to live on.
The on going "Act first Think later" position held by the governing body here will rapidly and inevitably ruin Bonaire.

have been coming to bonaire since mid 80's and it really saddens me to hear what is taking place there.(building, quads and other dangerous water toys). every year we come back there are more changes and it seems to be going in the wrong direction.
es

Funny how people can experience the same thing & have different interpretations. We've also been going to Bonaire since the mid 80's. I really don't see overall that the island is going in the wrong direction.

Back then, I believe the diving was better but I suspect there was in large part due to Lenny. However the quality of food in the local restaurants was really nothing to write home about. The local restaurants were also EXTREMELY expensive..

Basically from my recollection there was very little on the island in '85. Our first trip was at Divi when Peter Hughes ran the dive op. My evaluation back then was Bonaire was a nice place to visit and dive for a week but certainly nothing more. This initial evaluation has gradually morphed over the years as Bonaire has matured.

Many changes since '85 & assuredly not all good. The island is still growing as well as the infrastructure to support the increasing population. Really, there are many positives to the island development which also counterbalance the perceived negatives. Not all "doom & gloom".

Well I guess you could debate what's good and what's not so good.
You'll just need to stay tuned and see if you recognize this place in five years from now.

I have to agree with you Vince. Some people just don't want change. Most of the changes that I noticed this year were positive. Looking forward to more positive changes on my future visits.

i agree with the restaurants and some of the upgrades but i disagree with the building that has been going on. i would also point out that there are less bigger fish. i suspect that is from over fishing.

we originally choose bonaire because of the quietness of the island and how beautiful the island is and how gracious the island people are.
es

Reference over fishing. Be advised that the government recently installed two fish reserves in the Bonaire Marine Park. The two areas are between Playa Chachacha going southward to the marina at Plaza Resort as well as Punt'i Waya (the north end of Hato)going southward to the marina at Harbor Village Resort. It is prohibited to fish in these areas.

I agree Marcus..However there will be those who proclaim that this does little to help the situation since most of the fishing done is outside these areas. It's certainly a step in the right direction. I've always been a proponent of no fish areas & IMHO this will certainly improve the stock.

Regarding the over fishing issues - when I was in Bonaire in December I did a dive by Salt Pier 2 guys were cleaning fish - they already had 1 cooler filled and the second cooler was 1/2 full. The fish were not big by any means average was 6-8 inches. Are there no regulations on this?

Hi
I have to say that I've a hard time understanding the term "overfishing". Undoubtedly there is a huge amount of waste in commercial fishing when bycatch is thrown back, but otherwise I think that the fish caught is eaten or otherwise utilized. I think that real problem is the booming world population that is demanding more of the ocean than it can give. Commercial boats everywhere scoop up seafood of all kinds, process it and distribute it worldwide. The growing population is the root problem.
My 2cts. Mick

Pardon my ignorance, but what are quads?

"Quads" are 4-wheel ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles).

Like a motorcycle with 4 wheels.