Name: Hans Creek Fisheries Protected Area Country: British Virgin Islands
Size: 119.4 acres (0.48 km2) Year Established: 2003
Site Resources: Functional ecosystems: Fish sanctuary, seagrass beds, coral reefs, pelagic and reef fishes.
Management Agency: Conservation and Fisheries Department (CFD)
Primary Site Uses: Most human activity is prohibited in these areas. This includes (but is not limited to) the mooring of boats, diving, building construction and fishing.
Primary Threats: Anchoring, illegal fishing, climate change, coastal development, boat waste Site Contact: Mr. Betrand Lettsomme (Chief Conservation Officer), Mr. Mervin Hastings (Marine Biologist), Conservation and Fisheries Department, phone: (284) 494 5681
Note: The Conservation and Fisheries Department expressed difficulty picking two sites to focus on due to the lack of bio-physical information about their sites. While Hans Creek and Horseshoe Reef Fisheries Protected Areas were selected as priorities, the CFD expressed a need for biological information for all their sites to better inform management decision-making.
Figure 19 Map of Beef Island (Site number 15 is the Hans Creek Fisheries Protected Area)
Question Purpose
1a According to the official designation of the site, what is the purpose of the MPA?
To protect and preserve the breeding grounds and habitats (and allow for regeneration) of aquatic life.
Question Purpose Yes No
1b Are the MPA management plan objectives in line with the site
designation purpose? x
CURRENT MANAGEMENT CAPACITY SUMMARY
Question Assessment Area Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
2 Management Planning* x
3 Ecological Network Development x
4 Governance x
5 On-site management x
6 Enforcement* x
7 Boundaries x
8 Biophysical Monitoring* x
9 Socioeconomic Monitoring x
10 MPA Effectiveness Evaluation x
11 Stakeholder Engagement x
12 Financing x
13 Outreach and Education x
14 Conflict Resolution Mechanism x
15 Resilience to Climate Change x
16 Alternative Livelihoods x
17 Fisheries Management x
18 Integrated Coastal Management x
19 MPA Sustainable tourism x
20 Organizational Management x
21 Partnerships/Coordination x
Assessment Area YES NO
22 Economic Valuation x
23 Emergency Response x
24 Ecosystem Based Management x
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
Assessment Area High Medium Low
25 Public Support x
26 Government Support x
*denotes identified priorities for capacity building 2. Management Planning (Tier 1)
Rationale: There is currently no management plan developed or implemented for the Hans Creek Fisheries Protected Area (HCFPA). The CFD is interested in ensuring that future planning processes are community-based in nature and include local academic institutions. They would need support for capacity to get this done.
3. Ecological Networking (Tier 2)
Rationale: There is some need for better understanding of ecosystem-based management principles in planning and management. Horseshoe Reef and Hans Creek are included in the Protected Area’s System Plan (2008) governed by the National Parks Trust. The System Plan rationalises the establishment of a resilient network of areas which support, not only protection of critical habitats such as coral reefs, but also seagrass beds, salt ponds, dry Caribbean forests and mangroves: resources, the protection of which have long been overlooked. At least thirty-three percent (33%) of the nearshore environment and more than thirteen percent (13%) of the Territory’s landmass are under some degree of protection.
4. Governance (Tier 2)
Rationale: Under the Fisheries Act, 1997, the Minister may declare a fishing priority area and protected area for the conservation of living aquatic resources. The Fisheries Act also provides for the establishment of marine reserves. Under Section 79 of the Act, fourteen (14) fisheries protected areas were declared by the Fisheries Regulations, 2003 (Statutory Instrument No. 20 of 2003). The Fisheries Regulations, 2003, provide a general set of regulations for the Fisheries Protected Areas. No further rules and regulations have been developed for the HCFPA.
Additionally, the preparation of a protected area system plan is mandated by Section 13 of the National Parks Act 2006. Using the legal mechanisms contained within the National Parks Act, 2006, Fisheries Act, 1997 and the Physical Planning Act, 2004; the plan consolidates in one document, all of the areas which are to be managed for sustainability including the Fishery Protect Area’s. The Protected Areas System is managed under the National Parks Trust.
However, traditionally, the CFD does not require the approval or agreement of the NPT to designate protected areas under any of the laws within its control. Therefore, both institutions have an informal agreement, focused primarily on cross-referencing under the various protected areas legislation designated by both agencies.
5. On-Site Management (Tier 2)
Rationale: There is some level of on-site management through the monitoring and surveillance team on a periodic schedule. However, the resources and personnel are insufficient to undertake the necessary on-site management needed for this site.
6. Enforcement (Tier 2)
Rationale: There is some level enforcement undertaken through the monitoring and surveillance team on a periodic schedule. However, the resources and personnel are insufficient to undertake enforcement at these sites. There are too few officers for too much area to cover by the CFD, which sometimes is limited by fuel and boats. They also work with other enforcement units such as customs, and the police especially since the enforcement officers do not carry guns.
7. Boundaries (Tier 2)
Rationale: Yes, the marine charts have the fisheries area outlined in the physical and electronic charts. However, the boundaries are not clearly marked and provided to the public.
8. Bio-physical Monitoring (Tier 1)
Rationale: There is currently no bio-physical monitoring undertaken at The HCFPA. The protocol that has been developed by Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP) is the generally accepted protocol with used during the last bleaching event. That is a modified Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment for bleaching (BLAGGRA). The challenge in carrying out bio-physical monitoring is partially based on in-house capacity (most notably time dedication), however it is mostly based on a lack of capacity in data processing, quality control, report writing, etc.
9. Socio-economic Monitoring (Tier 1)
Rationale: There is currently no existing socioeconomic monitoring activity conducted for The HCFPA. Technical support would be needed to support this work.
10. MPA Effectiveness Evaluation (Tier 1)
Rationale: There has been no MPA effectiveness evaluation conducted at Hans Creek. The need for a management plan was identified as a priority prior to carrying out MPA Effectiveness work.
11. Stakeholder Engagement (Tier 2)
Rationale: CFD undertakes continual stakeholder engagement on activities carried out by the Department starting with the establishment of the 1986 Fisheries Act.
12. Financing (Tier 1)
Rationale: CFD considers financing a major constraint in management of the Fisheries Protected Areas, noting that there is a small budget allocated by central government relative to their needs and other agencies’ needs. They have not applied for international funding, as a UK territory many external funds are unavailable to them. Management mentioned that it would be useful to have a list of the types of funding appropriate for particular needs, deadlines, and other grant information.
13. Outreach and Education (Tier 2)
Rationale: CFD has an extensive outreach and education programme. The Department conducts a highly successful summer camp for school-aged children in addition to supporting and participating in conservation activities throughout the year for the general public, fishermen, and other stakeholders. However, the outreach and education program is not specifically targeted towards the Protected Area’s Fisheries. There is some consideration that education and outreach need to be directed to different types of audience: fishermen, BVI islanders, policy and legislature.
14. Conflict Resolution Mechanism (Tier 2)
Rationale: CFD indicated that there is no conflict resolution mechanism in place, but that everyone knows who to call to get conflicts resolved. There is very little need for such a mechanism. There was discussion of the need for an emergency hotline to be established.
15. Climate Change Resilience (Tier 2)
Rationale: Many of the fish protected areas were established before there was much consideration for climate effects. CFD has actively pursued incorporating Climate Change Resilience activities into the Department’s annual work plan. The Department has recently prepared a comprehensive document, the Virgin Islands Green Paper, which documents threats and potential impacts to the natural resources as well as proposed activities to increase
resilience to Climate Change. There is some need for political will to support climate actions, but overall support is improving with the education and outreach. During the last bleaching event, there was access to the sites, but essentially the message was to keep quiet about bleaching to not discourage visitation to the BVI and the reefs. This attitude may reflect a need for more outreach to decision makers on climate change impacts and needs for adaptation strategies.
16. Alternative Livelihoods (Tier 1)
Rationale: Socioeconomic assessments of the impacts of MPA regulations have not been assessed for the HCFPA, therefore, no alternative livelihoods have been developed.
17. Fisheries Management (Tier 2)
Rationale: There have been no site specific fisheries assessments conducted for Hans Creek. A need to conduct specific fisheries assessments at all of the sites was mentioned and the need to develop a list of priority studies was noted. This information could be provided when researchers, students, institutions come to CFD, to direct the kind of research that will inform management priorities.
18. Integrated Coastal Management (Tier 3)
Rationale: CFD is a member of the Planning Authority which is responsible for developing the land use plans for the Territory in addition to reviewing and assessing development applications submitted to the Town and Country Planning Department.
19. Sustainable Tourism (Tier 2)
Rationale: Some carrying capacity assessments have been conducted on the number of sailing and fishing vessels in the Territory. However, the Fisheries Protected Areas do not allow most tourism activities. Additional work would be needed to further assess and develop sustainable tourism plans.
20. Organizational Management (Tier 2)
Rationale: There is need for additional training within the CFD staff for management of protected areas. CFD emphasizes cross-training for different areas for ongoing skills enhancement.
21. Partnerships/Coordination (Tier 2)
Rationale: Coordination exists between the NPT and the CFD, and several good relationships with other agencies exist. However, issues do exist and there is need for improved coordination. For example, CFD used to be a member of Parks Trust Board but they are not longer a member. This partnership is important for coordination among these agencies.
22. Economic Valuation (No)
Rationale: There has not been an economic valuation carried out for the HCFPA. There is a need for economic valuation of the associated beaches, reef and watershed. It would be important to have done, especially with potential new development, to influence planning decisions. The CFD acknowledged this study should not be done by one agency, but will need to include Development Planning Unit, Department of Disaster Management., National Parks Trust, colleges, universities, fishermen, etc.
23. Rapid Response Protocol/Team (Yes)
Rationale: CFD is the lead agency to respond and provide the protocol for impacts on protected areas.
24. Ecosystem Based Management (Yes)
Rationale: Fishery protected areas were defined based on the ecosystem functions that are uniquely sustained for each area.
25. Community Support (High)
Rationale: Community support has historically and is currently high for protection of fishery protected areas.
26. Government Support (Low)
Rationale: It is believed that government support is low in part because CFD is not a revenue generating agency.
Management Capacity Priority Needs
1. Management Planning - Development of Management Plan for Protected Areas (specifically Conservation Action Planning)
2. Bio-physical Monitoring - including training on fisheries stock assessment and management
3. Enforcement - (including physical resources such as a vessel as well as training) Priority Capacity Building Approaches
1. Higher Education (Statistician, GIS) 2. Technical Support (Data analysis)
3. Training in GIS and other management tools with some kind of follow-up. The issues usually is getting an intensive training course that isn’t immediately applicable, then getting caught up in regular work load activities, never getting a chance to apply what’s learned, needed some further support
References
Gardner, Lloyd, Smith Abbott, Joseph and Woodfield-Pascoe, Nancy. 2008. British Virgin Islands Protected Areas System Plan 2007-2017. BVI National Parks Trust. Tortola. January 8, 2008.
The Government of the Virgin Islands (1997) Virgin Islands Fisheries Act.
The Government of the Virgin Islands (2003) Virgin Islands Fisheries Regulations.
The Government of the Virgin Islands (2006) National Parks Act.