Data synthesis and development of a basis for zoning of the Virgin Islands Biosphere Reserve

Putney, Allen; National Park Service; Virgin Islands Resource Management Cooperative

The Virgin Islands National Park was designated a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco in 1976 and dedicated in 1983. With funding from the National Park Service, the Virgin Islands Resource Management Cooperative (VIRMC) has undertaken a series of studies as part of the Biosphere Reserve Program. This report presents the results of two studies, carried out by the Eastern Caribbean Natural Area Management Program, a member of VIRMC, to synthesize data on (1) the relative size and distribution of marine habitats within the protected areas of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, (2) marine resource use around St. John, and (3) marine resource issues identified by managers and users (Project I.2.7); and suggest a basis for zoning of the marine portions of the Virgin Islands Biosphere Reserve (Project I.2.9). Data on the size and distribution of marine habitats of St. John, Buck Island (near St. Croix), and the proposed marine protected areas of the British Virgin Islands, indicate that the Reserve is fairly representative, although lagoon habitats are relatively scarce. Commercial uses of these habitats were determined by interviews and mapped. While fishing, snorkeling, and diving are relatively widespread around St. John, boating activities tend to concentrate in a few bays. The most heavily impacted bays are, in descending order, Cruz, Francis, Cinnamon, Maho, and Hawksnest. Resource users and managers are especially concerned about marine traffic and congestion along the northwest coast of St. John, especially in Francis and Maho Bays, congest ion and pollution at Cruz Bay, and the need for improved protection of marine resources in general. Since the Biosphere Reserve is presently coincident with the National Park, zoning could be based on (1) a "core zone" which would include the least altered areas of the National Park, receive the highest degree of protection, and be used exclusively for non-manipulative research and training; (2) a "buffer zone" which would include the rest of the non-core areas within the National Park, receive some alteration, and be used for various kinds of research, education and training, tourism and recreation, and traditional fishing; and (3) a "zone of cooperation" which remains undelineated, changes according to the cooperative demonstration projects being undertaken, and includes a variety of sites for study, documentation, and adaptation of traditional resource uses; developing practical means for restoring degraded ecosystems; undertaking ecologically and socially sensitive resource development projects; and training related to the above. It is recommended that zoning for the Biosphere Reserve be undertaken as part of the development of a management plan with full participation of resource users and relevant federal and territorial resource management agencies. In the meantime, activities should aim at resolving the more immediate resource issues. Highest priority should be accorded working with government and community groups to solve the difficult problems of pollution and congestion in the port of Cruz Bay, and to guide development in the Coral Bay area. Next in priority would be projects to improve resource protection in the more congested bays of the northwestern portion of St. John and to work with fishermen to stimulate the recovery of baitfish stocks.