Kralendijk – The World Wide Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL) and Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) have released a position letter concerning the Nature Permit that was issued to Karel’s Beach Bar & Watersport N.V. on 23 October 2018 for building a pier in the Bonaire National Marine Park. 

WWF-NL and STCB explicitly distance themselves from the decision to issue the Nature Permit. In view of earlier legal actions related to the Nature Permit, in which STINAPA, WWF-NL and STCB collaborated, WWF-NL and STCB are disappointed not to be included in or informed of the decision making process that led to the issuance of the permit. WWF-NL and STCB believe that there is insufficient proof that the permit addresses issues identified in earlier court decisions and in the view that WWF-NL, STCB and STINAPA jointly submitted in 2017. Therefore, WWF-NL and STCB cannot confirm whether the Nature Permit was given in accordance to legally binding procedures.

WWF-NL and STCB believe that nature conservation is compatible with coastal development. However, the organizations strongly believe that decisions made in regards to coastal development should always be based on appropriate scientific evidence, transparency and relevant legislation.  

To read the position letter released by WWF-NL and STCB, please go to http://www.bonaireturtles.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2019/01/Position-Letter-Permit-Karels-Pier-WWF-NL_STCB.pdf.