Adopt-The-Reserve Initiative- The Fact Sheet
The importance of the marine reserve is to establish a sanctuary for marine life, to provide economic growth in the community based on park activities, to provide educational opportunities and to provide recreational use.
About the Folkestone Marine Reserve
- Established in 1981 and is currently the only legislated marine reserve on the island
- Area is ~2.2sq km and covers 11% of the west coast
- High marine biodiversity: fringing reefs, patch reefs and offshore bank reefs, nesting and foraging sea turtles, mangrove lagoon (locally known as Holetown)
- Four zones designated for recreation, scientific research and watersports.
Importance of the marine reserve?
- To establish a sanctuary for marine life
- To provide economic growth in the community based on park activities
- To provide educational opportunities
- To provide recreational use
Importance of the reserve to the private sector
- Good marketing product
- Frequent monitoring and surveillance
- Zonation for recreational use
Importance of adopting the reserve initiative
- To enhance, maintain and monitor the Folkestone Marine Reserve through supporting programmes, facilitating construction of appropriate infrastructure and provision of equipment.
