By Harald Linkels

Kralendijk – The Island Council yesterday unanimously adopted a motion, presented by Island Council member Renata Domacassé of the Movementu di Pueblo Boneriano (MPB), calling for a ban per January 1, 2021 for sunscreen product containing substances which can harm the coral in the Bonaire Marine Park (BMP).

The ban concerns products which contain either Oxybenzone or Octinoxate. The motion was inspired by the decision of Hawaii to banish creams containing these substances starting in the year 2021. According to Domacassé, Bonaire as a forerunner in the field of environmental and nature protection and as an important diving location, can not stay behind.

The motion calls on the Executive Council to devise a concrete route in order to stop the use of products containing the harmful elements. According to the motion of the MPB, existing legislation which protects the environment and the marine environment offers sufficient possibilities for implementing the desired ban.