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VI MARINE PARK PROJECT 
 
SYSTEM PLANNING FOR PROTECTED AREAS 
 
 
Individual protected areas, by themselves, cannot address the range and scope of 
environmental management issues in a country or territory.  In many instances, protected 
areas stand out as gems in an otherwise degraded environment.  As such, unless the links 
between protected areas, national conservation strategies, and national development 
strategies are identified and addressed, it becomes difficult to resolve basic conservation 
issues.  In many cases, economic pressures and threats external to the protected area result in 
areas being taken out of protected area status, and used for development.  In other words, 
system planning is one form of approach to integrated planning, linking environment and 
development. 
 
A national protected area system helps to address conservation issues at a macro level.  
Davey (1998) explains protected areas system planning as: 
 
♦ Defining the priority of protected areas as a worthwhile national concern; defining the 
relationships between (a) different units and categories of protected areas; and (b) 
protected areas and other relevant categories of land; 
 
♦ Taking a more strategic view of protected areas; 
 
♦ Defining roles of key players in relation to protected areas and the relationships between 
these players; this may include building support and a constituency for protected areas 
(i.e. as a means to that end, not as an end in itself); 
 
♦ Identifying gaps in protected area coverage (including opportunities and needs for 
connectivity) and deficiencies in management; and 
 
♦ Identifying current and potential impacts – both those affecting protected areas from 
surrounding lands and those emanating from the protected areas which affect surrounding 
lands. 
 
 
Reasons for Adopting a System Approach to Protected Area Planning 
Adrian Davey, 1998 
 
♦ To relate protected areas to national priorities, and to prioritise different aspects of 
protected area development; 
 
♦ To facilitate access to international and national funding, by defining priorities for 
investment in protected areas and increasing the level of confidence in the efficient use of 
funds and resources. 
 
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♦ To get away from a case by case, ad hoc, approach to resource management decision 
making; 
 
♦ To target proposed additions to the protected area estate in a more rational and persuasive 
manner than ad hoc planning; 
 
♦ To facilitate integration with other relevant planning strategies, such as those for national 
tourism, national biodiversity conservation, or sustainable development; 
 
♦ To help resolve conflicts, assist in making decisions relating to trade-offs, clarify roles 
and 
responsibilities 
of 
different 
stakeholders, 
and 
facilitate 
diverse 
stakeholder 
involvement; 
 
♦ To provide a broader perspective for addressing site-specific issues, such as tourism 
management; 
 
♦ To enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the way in which budgets are developed 
and spent; 
 
♦ To assist in meeting obligations under international treaties; 
 
♦ To assist countries to be more proactive in conservation management, and in developing 
effective protected area systems; 
 
♦ To encourage consideration of a "system" which incorporates formal protected areas and 
areas outside of protected areas; 
 
♦ To provide a structured framework for a system of protected areas, ranging from areas 
managed for strict conservation to areas managed for a range of conservation and 
appropriate ecologically-sound activities; 
 
♦ To assist protected area agencies to build political support for protected areas as a 
worthwhile concern; 
 
♦ To define a better process of decentralisation and regionalisation of protected area 
activities, resources and responsibilities, including the involvement of NGOs and the 
private sector; and 
 
♦ To foster transboundary collaboration. 
 
 
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SYSTEM PLAN FOR THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 
 
The BVI system plan is in its third iteration, building on a system plan that was first 
developed in 1980.  The BVI has a number of marine and terrestrial sites currently under 
management. 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS (modified) 
 
Executive Summary 
 
Management Arrangements 
 
Management Infrastructure 
 
Table of Contents 
 
A Parks and Protected Area System Plan for the BVI 
 
Background 
 
Overview of the Present Situation 
♦ Legislative Environment 
♦ Government Policy 
♦ Designated Areas and Applicable Legislation 
 
Management Infrastructure 
♦ Staffing 
♦ Physical Plant 
♦ Staff Restructuring 
♦ Species Restoration (terrestrial and marine programmes) 
♦ Education and Awareness 
 
Institutional Development and Financial Management 
 
Infrastructure: Park Development and Renovation 
♦ Recreational Use Management 
♦ User Fee System 
♦ Law Enforcement 
 
Expenditure, Revenue and Budget 
 
Collaborative Management Agreement 
 
 
4 
Contribution from Government Ministries 
 
Development of the System 
 
Goals and Objectives 
 
Site Selection Process of the Proposed and Existing System 
 
Proposed and Existing System 
 
Management Strategy and Requirements 
 
Integration of Existing Terrestrial Parks with Marine Parks and Protected Areas 
 
Future Development of the BVI Parks and Protected Areas System 
♦ Implementation 
♦ Management Categories 
 
Development Policies and Trends 
 
Legislative Environment and Additional Requirements 
 
Resource Use Within and Around the Parks and Protected Areas of the BVI 
♦ Fisheries and fisheries management 
 
Mangrove Management Initiatives 1990-1999 
 
Sea Grass, Lobster, Conch, Turtles, Welk, Birds, Anegada Rock Iguana, and Beaches 
 
Critical Areas and Endangered Species 
 
Socio-economic Features and Issues in the BVI 
 
Profiles of Existing National Parks and Protected Areas Systems 
 
Profiles of Proposed National Parks and Protected Areas Systems 
 
Management Requirements 
 
Summary and Conclusions 
 
Appendix 1: Background Information 
Appendix 2: Total Consolidated Budget, National Parks Trust, 1999 
 
References Cited.