December 3, 2007: Speech by the Acting Governor of the Netherlands Antilles at the opening of the new National Park Visitor Centre on Saint Eustatius

Speech by the Acting Governor of the Netherlands Antilles at the opening of the new National Park Visitor Centre on Saint Eustatius, Oranjestad, Saint Eustatius, 17:30 on 3 December 2007

Governor Gittens, members of the Island and Executive Council, Madam President of the St Eustatius National Parks Foundation, residents of Statia, ladies and gentlemen,

On my way here this morning by plane, I was looking out over the magnificent rich forest on the crater walls of the Quill. I had a fantastic view of the island and the beautiful blue sea. But what I couldn’t see from there was the mysterious and unique underwater life of Statia. To get a better look, I’d have to take up scuba diving – and I’m not planning to do that, despite of a one time beautiful diving experience. But divers have assured me that the Statia Marine Park, which was established ten years ago, is a place of exceptional beauty. For instance, in June this year, divers spotted a young humpback whale here – which is rare.

While I was enjoying the view, I found myself wondering what Statia will look like in ten years’ time. Will there still be bridled quail doves in the Quill? And will sea-turtles still come ashore on the rustic beaches to lay their eggs? Will the coral in the Marine Park be as colourful as it is now? I certainly hope so.

These are times of great change for Statia – for its constitution, its environment and its economy. The changes bring both opportunities and threats. Today I’d like to talk to you about those threats and how we can turn them into opportunities.

Wildlife and the environment are endangered all over the world, even in Statia. The former vice-president of the United States, Al Gore, made that clear in his impressive film ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, in which he drew attention to the perils of Global Warming. Climate change is also threatening Statia. But a small island like this can do nothing to influence a development that is taking place on a global scale. What I want to talk about today is a different kind of development – one that Statia can do something about.

We’re all working hard at socioeconomic development. And rightly so. The glorious days of the Golden Rock might be gone forever, but Statia too must move forward. Statia’s people have a right to proper amenities – a proper roof over their heads, running water, good education and proper health care. But we need to be cautious. We don’t want uncontrolled, runaway development with nobody in charge. Not only because we are bound by international environmental agreements, or because we want to please other people. But because the consequences of that sort of development would be irreversible, and would have a disastrous impact on this island and its people. In view of Statia’s future within the Dutch constitutional system, it can expect an influx of investors and developers. That in itself is positive. After all, business brings opportunities for economic development. But more economic activities means more pressure on amenities, public space and the natural world. So we need to carefully weigh up the various interests and take account of what the island can actually cope with. It is vital to opt for sustainable development and nature conservation. Because nature is our friend. Nature offers Statia opportunities to develop its economy through tourism. After all, tourism is one of Statia’s economic cornerstones and we should make use of it. But that will only be possible if we look after what we have now and treat it with care in the future. Otherwise, in ten years’ time, the coral reefs will be dazzling white from bleaching or green from the effects of algae. And the beaches – not the coral reefs – will be multi-coloured, but then from the rubbish that people have dumped. You won’t see any more bridled quail doves in the Quill. And you won’t see any more visitors, either.

To preserve this precious place, it is vital to regulate development. One of the ways of doing this is by spatial planning and nature conservation. As part of the Dutch-funded Socioeconomic Initiative, 2.5 million Antillean guilders will be earmarked in the next few years for tourism development, spatial planning and nature conservation. And the Island and Executive Council will receive support and advice from an expert in this field.

But sustainable development on Statia is not only about planning and legislation. And it certainly isn’t only for politicians and public administrators. Everybody who lives on Statia needs to be aware of the issues. Aware of the precious and beautiful things that Statia has to offer. STENAPA has a very important role to play in raising that awareness. At the beginning of this year, Her Majesty the Queen agreed to be the patron of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – the umbrella organisation that STENAPA belongs to. That is a special honour for Statia, but it also calls for a special degree of responsibility. There’s a message in there that says ‘Take care of Statia – take pride in this beautiful place’.

Every day, the STENAPA staff work extremely hard, running the National Parks, the Botanical Garden and the Marine Park. They deserve our appreciation. I’ve come here today to express that appreciation and to emphasise the importance of the work that STENAPA are doing. I’d like to congratulate not only STENAPA, but the entire population of Statia on reaching this milestone – the tenth anniversary of the Marine Park. It gives me great pleasure to mark this special occasion with the official opening of the National Park Visitor Centre.

I hereby declare the National Park Visitor Centre open!