Economic Benefits of Biodiversity Conservation in Anguilla

1
Economic Benefits of Biodiversity Conservation in
Anguilla

• Floyd Homer
• Protected Areas Advisor
• Darwin Initiative
• Anguilla National Trust

2
Purpose

• Introduce members of the Executive Council to an
  opportunity for revenue generation through the
  conservation of biodiversity
• Persuade Executive Council to give further
  priority to institutional and other mechanisms
  for conservation of Anguillian biodiversity.

3
Content

• Recap policy framework for integrating
  environmental concerns into national
  decision-making.
• Describe mechanism for generating revenue from
  biodiversity conservation.
• Identify institutional arrangement for management
  of biodiversity.

4
Components

• Three critical components will provide inputs for
  revenue generation success.

Government
Tourists
Revenue
Biodiversity
5
What is biodiversity?

• Biological diversity or biodiversity is a term
  used to group all of the different species of
  plants and animals. So when we say biodiversity
  in Anguilla, we are really talking about the
  different kinds of birds, fish, reptiles,
  amphibians, mammals, insects, trees, other plants
  and coral reef creatures.

6
Ecosystem

• Refers to the interactions among the living and
  non-living things in any particular area. This
  interaction may be one of dependence, for
  example, many types of birds depend on salt ponds
  as a source of food and for resting. Salt ponds
  are one type of ecosystem that is found in
  Anguilla, other types include the scrub forest
  and the coral reef.

7
Todays Situation

• Some critical ecosystems used as dumping grounds,
  or are chopped down and filled in or excavated
  for construction.
• Need a defined national position on which
  ecosystems are critical for protection and which
  ones could be converted for other uses.

8
Policy Framework

•  UK White Paper on Partnership for Progress and
  Prosperity
• The United Fronts policy document (manifesto)
• Strategic Country Programme 2000/01 to 2001/03
• St Georges Declaration.

9
Partnership for Progress and Prosperity

• 1.      To promote sustainable use of the
  Overseas Territories (OTs) natural and physical
  environment, for the benefit of local people
• 2.      To protect fragile ecosystems such as
  coral reefs from further degradation and to
  conserve biodiversity in the OTs

10
Partnership for Progress and Prosperity

• 3.      To promote sustainable alternatives to
  scarce resources or species which are used for
  economic purposes
• 4.      To enhance participation in and
  implementation of international agreements by OTs.

11
The United Fronts Manifesto

• Establishing policy, legislation and regulations
  for the control and monitoring of the marine
  resources zone
• Continuing protection measures to improve the
  position of species on the endangered list
• Protection and conservation of endangered
  terrestrial and marine flora and fauna

12
The United Fronts Manifesto

• Environmental awareness and education
• Restoration and maintenance of cultural and
  historic artifacts
• Regional and international collaboration and
  networking on environmental management and
  sustainability initiatives.

13
Strategic Country Programme

• Ensure that appropriate, applicable and
  affordable environmental policies and processes
  exist within government which support the
  sustainable management of the environment
• Ensure that key coastal and terrestrial habitats
  are protected and used sustainably
• Ensure sustainable use of inshore and offshore
  fish stocks
• Facilitate adherence to the obligations of
  applicable regional and international
  environmental treaties and agreements.

14
St Georges Declaration

• Principle 2 Integrate Social, Economic and
  Environmental Considerations into National
  Development Policies, Plans and Programmes
• Principle 3 Improve on Legal and Institutional
  Frameworks
• Principle 6 Use Economic Instruments for
  Sustainable Environmental Management

15
St Georges Declaration

• Principle 7 Foster Broad-based Environmental
  Education, Training and Awareness
• Principle 11 Ensure the Sustainable Use of
  Natural Resources
• Principle 12 Protect Cultural and Natural
  Heritage
• Principle 13 Protect and Conserve Biological
  Diversity

16
Protected Areas

• National Parks - a Mechanism for Conservation of
  Biological Diversity

17
National Park

• An area set aside for the conservation of natural
  features (such as springs, caves, petroglyphs,
  ponds or other landforms), plants and animals and
  their habitats (areas where they live).
• Development in such an area is restricted to
  things that will not significantly degrade the
  habitats or disturb the species or features
  therein.

18
Identify Objectives

• Economic
• Social
• Cultural
• Ecological or Scientific

19
Value of Biodiversity to Anguilla
20
Potential Revenue from Biodiversity
21
Contribution comparison

• Embarcation Tax
• Import Duty on Alcohol
• Work Permits
• Motor Vehicle Licences
• Potential Revenue from Biodiversity

22
Key Benefits

• Employment
• Revenue generation
• Sustainable use of biodiversity
• Compliance with UK and regional agreements
• Discharge of obligation in part, under Strategic
  Country Programme
• Fulfillment in part, of manifesto.

23
Marine Resources Management

• Marine Reserves
• Marine Parks
• Marine Protected Areas
• Marine Management Areas

24
Org Chart National Parks Service
25
Next Steps

• Adopt policy on biodiversity
• Pass National Parks and Protected Areas
  Ordinance
• Prepare proposal for funding establishment of
  National Parks Service
• Source funding e.g. DfID, FCO
• Arrange with HMG for extension of Convention on
  Biological Diversity.

26
Thank you for your attention

• Any questions or comments?