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 PHILIPSBURG - Commissioner of Tourism, Frans Richardson has expressed satisfaction at a pilot project that would soon see environmental code of conduct signage displayed at some of our most frequented beaches and marinas.
"This is a much needed project that will help us to preserve our environment for future generations to also enjoy and make our tourism product to remain competitive," the Commissioner commented when the pilot project was recently presented to him. "It certainly has my full support," he said.
The project is a collaborative effort of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and EPIC (Environmental Protection in the Caribbean), who have adopted the code of conduct guidelines of the Blue Flag Program that is aimed at promoting sustainable development in the coastal areas through high water quality standards, safety standards, environmental management standards and environmental education. EPIC is the local coordinator for the Blue Flag Program.
The Blue Flag Programme started in France in 1985 and is coordinated by the non-profit organization, Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Many countries from around the globe are now participants in this Programme.
According to Regina LaBega, Director of Tourism, five beaches and the Simpson Bay Lagoon marina have been identified for this pilot project. They are the Simpson Bay, Mullet Bay, Kim Sha, Little Bay, and Great Bay beaches.
"The project involves putting up some 32 signs and 24 garbage bins at these beaches and a sign at the Lagoon Marina," LaBega explained. "The code of conduct signs will spell out the do's and don'ts for beach users and indicate the amenities available at the beaches."
"These signs will be easily visible to the public and placed at all major entrance points," the Director of Tourism added.
"Apart from tourist information and emergency telephone numbers for the Police, Fire, and Ambulance Departments, the signs will also indicate rules about camping fires, vehicles on the beaches and the use of the garbage bins."
Rueben Thompson of EPIC explained that the environmental codes of conduct are "benchmarks used to control the impact of tourism on nature and on cultural resources to achieve sustainable tourism."
"In other words," he said, "they are a set of principles which constitute guidelines on how to behave in an environmentally responsible and correct manner when visiting places of environmental and cultural importance."
Thompson said that this phase of the project is an essential step towards Blue Flag certification of the island's beaches and marinas which enjoys the enthusiastic support of Commissioner Frans Richardson who called the Blue Flag Program "a great and much needed initiative."
The code of conduct signs will carry warnings such as:
1. Do not touch living marine wildlife, such as coral, animals, etc.
2. Do not collect souvenirs
3. Do not stand or rest on coral reefs
4. Never harass aquatic animals for your amusement
5. Always be aware of your position in the water and that of your dive gear, in relation to marine animals and the coral reef.
6. Do not feed marine animals.
The project will be accompanied by an intensive Public Relations campaign about the importance of preserving the environment and keeping our beaches and marinas clean. The campaign will target mainly the general public, the school community and visitors (hotel guests, cruise ship passengers, etc.)
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