1. P.O. Box 18, The Bottom, Saba, Dutch Caribbean
Saba Bank
The local Perspective
P.O. Box 18, The Bottom, Saba, Dutch Caribbean
Tel: (599) , Fax: (599) , Web:

2. Special Projects
The Saba Bank

3. SCF context

4. Usage map

5. Lobster traps in Fort Bay harbor

6. Brief History and Milestones
1970s/80s – increased fishing + tanker activity
Foreign fishing forced Sabans out of business
Shipping damaging the Bank
Brief history and mile stones

8. Brief History and Milestones
1994 – declaration EEZ making foreign fishing illegal
1996 – Fishing licenses + coast guard enforcement
Fishing only by licensed Saba fishermen
Commercial conch fishing banned
Protest and complaints from foreign fisheries
Complaints denied based on insufficient data therefore – research required to backup legislation
2012 – Saba Bank declared National Park and PSSA (IMO)
No more tanker activity (passing or anchoring)
2013 – Closure of Moonfish Bank from December to February

9. Since 2013 it is prohibited to fish in any way (traps nor hand lines) in the area called the Moonfish Bank on the northeast edge of the Saba Bank during the period between 1 December, 00:01 hr. up until 28 February, 23:59 hr.

10. Coastguard, fishermen workshop November 2016

11. 2015 – Establishment of Yarari Marine Mammal & Shark Sanctuary
Sharon Alida Maria Dijksma (born 16 April 1971) is a Dutch politician for the Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid). Since 3 November 2015 she has been State Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. Between 18 December 2012 and 3 November 2015, she was State Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

12. 2016 – Action Research / Fishermen’s Agreement
Fishermen created a seasoning system together. For 6 months, starting in April 2017, the whole Saba Bank will be closed for Redfish traps. In addition, the fishermen agreed upon additional measures such as setting a trap limit of 25 traps after the closed season, using bigger mesh sizes and setting up a fishermen’s organization, but also throwing caught sharks back alive and arranging patrolling. After 6 months, the fishermen will test how the catch is and make new decisions based on its outcome.

13. Saba Island Council Meeting

14. Henk Kamp Visit September 2016
Henricus Gregorius Jozeph "Henk" Kamp is a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy. He is the Minister of Economic Affairs in the Cabinet Rutte II since 5 November 2012
Henk Kamp Visit September 2016

15. Shark tagging Expedition October 2016

17. Captured Tiger Shark

18. Future SBMU Capacity building Fisheries Development
Implementation of agreement
Improved management
Alternative fisheries
Artificial reefs
Continued research & monitoring
Port sampling
Marine Mammals (Noise loggers)
Sharks (satellite / acoustic tags)
GCRMN surveys ?
Communication
Policy briefs
Community outreach
Partnerships & Networking
Agoa
Stellwagen Bank
IMARES
SNP
Enforcement & Regulations
2017 Evaluation

19. Thanks for your attention!