Everyone who uses Bonaire's pristine reefs pays something. The protection it buys is priceless.

STINAPA Bonaire, the non-governmental, not-for-profit organization that oversees the Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) and Washington-Slagbaai National Park, charges divers an annual fee of US$25.

Divers receive a BNMP Tag to wear on their equipment to show they care about protecting our coral reefs.

All others who use the waters of the BNMP including snorkelers, windsurfers, kayakers, sport fishermen and kite boarders, pay a Nature Fee of US$10 per year. They will also receive a specially designed tag similar to the current BNMP Tag indicating their support.

Everyone who pays the Nature Fee also receives free admission to Washington-Slagbaai National Park for the year their tag is valid.

Funds collected from the Nature Fee are used for research, monitoring, education, law enforcement, information distribution and maintenance of the areas STINAPA Bonaire oversees.

The new Nature Fee Tags, which went into effect April 1, 2005, are available at dive operations, hotels, resorts, windsurfing operations, sport fishing charter boats, sail/snorkel/water taxi operations and marinas on Bonaire .

Originally, scuba divers were the only ones charged a Marine Park fee, US$10 per year, while snorkelers and others were only invited to donate funds.

Additionally, under the old plan, visitors entering Washington-Slagbaai National Park were charged a US$10 entrance fee (per visit).

In order for STINAPA Bonaire to continue to maintain and expand its services and conserve the precious natural resources it oversees which also include Klein Bonaire, Lac Bay and the cave system at Barcadera.

For more information on STINAPA Bonaire and its programs, call 011-599-717-8444, email info@stinapa.org or visit www.stinapa.org.

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