BES islands

Biodiversity on the BES islands

This magazine of Change Magazine features Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius, who became part of the Netherlands in october 2010. The content is about the nature of the islands and the consequences of the new status for its inhabitants, economy and ecology.

Three caribbean municipalities

Sea turtles, flamingo's and coral... in the Netherlands!n 10 october 2010 Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba became part of the Netherlands. Where are these municipalities situated and how do they look like?

A new chapter for Saba, St. Eustatius and Bonaire

On 10-10-2010 Saba, St Eustatius and Bonaire received a new status that ties them more closely to the Netherlands. What does that mean for the islands, their inhabitants and their ties to the Netherlands?

Nature in all its diversity

From cloud forest and salt domes to coral pillars. Each of the three islands not only has its own culture, language and administration, but the differences in their natural environments are as big as those between the Wadden Sea and the hills of Limburg.

St. Eustatius, a diamond in the rough

St Eustatius, affectionately called Statia, is just what the brochure claims: 'The Caribbean's hidden treasure'. With such incredibly diverse nature, the Netherlands has gained a diamond in the rough one that can be polished into a glittering jewel.

How the Netherlands protects its coral

How should the Netherlands treat its recently acquired scenic marine beauty, with its hundred of kilometres of coral where fishermen earn a living? The Exclusive Economic Zone serves as both an economic tool and a way of protecting biodiversity.

From self-regulation to international conventions

Fishing is an important source of income for the islands but the sector is also in critical need of regulations. The fishermen are learning to cope with the new reality.

EEZ

Ships that drop anchor in protected coral reefs or otherwise break the law in waters around the islands have been forewarned: with introduction of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) the Coast Guard now patrols a larger area and is more effective in catching offenders

International treaties protect all species

Nature on the three islands is spectacular. But it is also vulnerable, and many of the islands' plants and animals can be sold for big money on the market. International agreements have been made to protect these species and ecosystems.

Heaven can wait, this is paradise

Entrepreneur in sustainability Ruud Koornstra talks about sustainability on 'his' Bonaire. "Bonaire can become a textbook example of sustainability"

The same dance to different rhythms

Lt Governor Glenn Thodé in discussion with the former Kingdom Representative and current Minister of Social Affairs Henk Kamp about opportunities, respect and progress.

From heather and woods to mangrove and coral

A mangrove forest is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Dutch nature reserves. And yet, Dutch conservation organizations will soon be concerned with exotic landscapes and ecosystems. What role do they see for themselves on the islands?

Saba, the unspoiled Queen

Windward, wild, mysterious and clean. An emerald of 13 square kilometres, a green speck in an aquamarine sea. The Unspoiled Queen is still untouched by the 21st century. It is not inhabited, but it is populated. And this means it is high time for regulation.