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Remark: This document gathers information from the list of references previously validated for the island. It is a working document that will be implemented following your comments and corrections. It will be used as a guide during the consultation process that will involve local governments, institutions and organizations.

The objectives are to identify and map Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in order to define conservation outcomes. KBAs are defined at 3 ecological levels: (1) species, including: globally threatened species, restricted-range species, and species gathering in important number during their life cycle; (2) sites: habitats that are home to the species previously identified;habitats and ecosystems that play important ecological processes and contribute to the persistence of biodiversity ; (3) ecological corridors: inter-connected landscapes of sites.

Regarding the information and references cited hereafter, a list of "potential KBAs" is proposed in App.2. This is a working process that will be validated through the consultation of local actors.

Synthetic note-Saba

Saba island and the Saba Bank

Policy and Socioeconomic context

Political Status

- Saba is located in the northern Lesser Antilles (17°38'N, 63°13'W) about 45km south-west of St Maarten and 25km north-west of St-Eustatius. Saba, with the islands of Sint-Maarten and Sint-Eustatius, formed the Windward Islands of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Saba is an extinct volcanic peak rising steeply to 887m at the top of Mount Scenery, the highest peak of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

- Since October 10th 2010, Saba (such as St-Eustatius and Bonaire) became a special municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Saba is an European Oversea Territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Demographic Trends and Socio-economic context (Central Bureau Statistics - Caribbean Netherlands 2012)

- Area:13 km²- EEZ: 9 644 km² (including the territorial sea: 1611 km²)- Population:1 991 inhab., density: 153 inhab./km²

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- GDP ($/ inhab.): 16 000- Main economic activities: tourism, with associated service and construction industries. Ecotourism is a significant part of Saba's economy (scuba-diving, hiking)

Protected and/or managed areas List of protected areas

- Saba Terrestrial Park (created in 1999 over 41 ha) is managed by Saba Conservation Foundation. The Terrestrial Park includes the Elfin Forest Reserve from 550 m high to the top of Mount Scenery. The property was donated by the Sulphur Mining Company to a US NGO called "Friends of Saba Conservation Foundation" that supports conservation project on Saba. In 1999, the property was officially turned over to the Saba Conservation Foundation. This protected area consists of the nature park (35 ha) from Pirate Cliffs to the cloud forest at the peak of Mt Scenery at 877 m, the highest point of the Kingdom(Mt Scenery Reserve, 6ha), and is managed by Saba Conservation Foundation.- Saba Trail System: Saba has an extensive nature trail system covering the whole island an including many nature areas in addition to the top of mount scenery and the terrestrial park area. Management of the trails has been given by the island government to the Saba Conservation Foundation.- Saba National Marine Park (created in 1987 over 1300 ha) is managed by Saba Conservation Foundation, a non-profit and non-governmental organization. The Marine Park surrounds the island (from high tide mark to 60m deep) and protects seagrass beds and spectacular coral pinnacles. This MPA includes several marine no-take zones.- Saba Bank National Park (created in 2010 over 268 000 ha) Management has been mandated by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs to Saba Conservation Foundation through the Saba Bank Management Unit. Saba Bank is located 4 km offshore from Saba island and measures 40 by 60 km. It is considered a coral atoll, though wholly submerged, and it is the 3rd largest atoll in the world. The Saba Bank is spectacularly rich in biodiversity, including extensive coral reefs, covering an estimated 150 km² area. It forms a flat-topped seamount rising 1,800 meters from the sea floor, crowned by a ring of growing coral reef on its fringes. The summit never reaches the water’s surface. Most of the bank lies at depths of 20 to 50 meters, but a large area to the east lies between 10 and 20 meters. About one-third of the Saba Bank lies within Saban territorial waters with the rest in the Exclusive Economic Zone waters. The Saba Bank has been noted as the area with the highest marine algae diversity in the Caribbean.

On-going projects - Projects under study- Designation of a shark and marine mammal sanctuary in the Caribbean waters of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Dutch Caribbean Nature Policy Plan 2013-2017, Project "Save our sharks", Debrot et al. 2011). Establishment of a Dutch Caribbean Shark National Plan Of Action (van Beek et al. 2014). This includes an outreach program to build support for shark protection and acoustic tagging research to study shark movements. - Goat reduction program, this program with Dutch funding started at the end of 2014 and aims to reduce the free roaming goat population to manageable numbers.- North Coast National Park. The island government is considering the possibilities of establishing the entire northern quarter of the island, from the coast to the top of Mt. Scenery, as a National Park. This would greatly increase the currently protected terrestrial area.

Action and management plans- Saba Bank - Special Marine Area Management Plan (Lundvall, 2008)- Management Plan - Saba Marine Park (Schults and Kooistra 1999, Saba Conservation Foundation)- Saba National Marine Park - Lionfish response plan (Wulf 2010)- Management Plan for the natural resources of the EEZ of the Dutch Caribbean (Meesters et al. 2010)

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Biological importance of the ecosystemsSpecies outcomes

List of Taxa assessed as globally threatened (IUCN Red List). List of species are indicated in Appendix 1.

Taxonomic Group

Critically endangered

Endangered Vulnerable Total

Plants 3Invertebrates- Corals 2 2 4Fishes

2 (rare) 2 5 (+ 6 occ.)Sharks and Rays 3 occ.Reptiles 1 2 (+ 1 occ.) (1 occ. species)

Mammals- Marine mammals 1Total

List of species geographically restricted(References: Rojer 1997, DCNA 2012b, Sastre et Breuil 2007, New York Botanical Garden database, Paul Hoetjes personal communication 2015)

Taxonomic group Number of endemic species

Plants - 24 plant species restricted to the Lesser Antilles, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, including 4 species limited to only few islands (Chromolaena macrantha, Begonia retusa, Agave karatto, Mitracarpus polycladus)

Invertebrates- Insects - 2 butterfly species endemic of the Lesser Antilles (Electrostrymon angerona,

Urbanus obscurus)Fishes - 1 species endemic of Saba Bank (Labrisomidae fish species: Starksia williamsi)Amphibians - 1 species endemic of the Lesser Antilles (Caribbean tree frog Eleutherodactylus

johnstonei)Reptiles - 1 anole endemic of Saba (Saban anole Anolis sabanus)

- 1 gecko endemic of Saba and St Kitts Bank islands (Saba dwarf gecko Sphaerodactylus sabanus)- 1 snake endemic of Saba and St-Eustatius (Red-bellied racer Alsophis rufiventris)(- The Saban Iguana iguana is suspected of being an endemic subspecies (Paul Hoetjes, personal communication 2015))

Birds - 9 bird species restricted to the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico (with Euphonia musica not observed since 1952)

Mammals - 1 bat species restricted to the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico (Antillean Fruit-eating Bat Brachyphylla cavernarum)

Total - 2 species endemic strict of Saba island and Saba Bank- 2 species restricted to islands of St. Kitts Bank- 37 species restricted to the Lesser Antilles, Virgin Islands and Puerto-Rico

Species aggregations / List of species occurring at key stages of their life-cycles- The Saba Bank includes important fish spawning aggregation areas for 3 species (red hind, queen triggerfish (locally called moonfish) and squirrelfish) (Lundvall 2008). A small area (2 km2) on the northeast edge of the Bank, called Moonfish Bank, has been identified as a spawning area for red hinds (Epinephelus guttatus) and the vulnerable queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula) (Lundvall 2008, Kadison et al. 2009). Since 2013 this areas has been closed to fishing during the spawning months. Other spawning aggregation areas, such as for squirrelfish but also for red hinds, are suspected on the Bank but still need to be identified and located (Paul Hoetjes, personal communication 2015).

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- 2 breeding seabird species congregate in important numbers on the island and nest on steep cliffs and rocky hills around the island: the Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus, 2250-3000 breeding individuals) and the national bird of Saba, the Audubon's Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri, 1000 breeding pairs). This bird species breeds only in the Thissell Park area.- Together Saba and St. Eustatius are home to the Caribbean's largest nesting population of Red-billed Tropicbirds and may host the most significant breeding colony in the world (DCNA 2012). About 3000 individuals are recorded on Saba coastlines, representing approx. 15% of the global population (20,000 ind. in total, BirdLife International dataset, Rojer 1997, Brown et al. 2009).

Habitat outcomes Terrestrial areas (References: Rojer 1997)

- Coastal cliffs of 100 m high or more characterize the entire perimeter of the island and constitute important habitat for breeding seabirds- The area of the mountain above 450 m including secondary rainforest, ravine forest, tree-fern brake and mountain formations:

- Secondary rainforests are observed between 420 and 650 m, this formation includes the endangered Black Sweet Wood (Nectandra krugii). Secondary ravine rainforests are found on Saba in deep ravines (this plant community is not the true rainforest that defines a climax formation in the Caribbean).Secondary forest formations are important in the control of erosion.- Tree-fern brake formations (secondary vegetation) develop at mid elevations under conditions of high humidity.- Mountain formations (above 750 m) are located at the top of Mount Scenery and consist of Palm brake and Elfin woodlands communities. Elfin woodlands are composed mainly of Mountain Mahogany (Freziera undulata), a plant species restricted to the Lesser Antilles, covered by epiphytic plants and mosses. The mountain mahoganies of Saba grow higher than on any of the other islands resulting in a unique type of elfin woodland.

- Rainforest and elfin forest have a high water retention potential and includes plant species endemic of the Lesser Antilles, as well as bird species restricted to the region of the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico (Eulampis jugularis, Cinclocerthia ruficauda, ...)- These forests are home to amphibian, reptile and bird species restricted to the Lesser Antilles.- There are no terrestrial wetlands on the island.

Coastal areas- The shoreline is dominated by xeric rocky hills and coastal cliffs all around Saba island. Coastal cliffs are important breeding sites for seabird species and are identified as IBA.- Islets of Green Island and Diamond Rock are small cays located off the north coast and constitute birds roosting and breeding areas.

Marine areas - 2 sea turtle species occur in the waters around Saba, Chelonia mydas and Eretmochelys imbricata. Two more species are seen occasionally (Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea). Sea turtles used to nest on 2 seasonal beaches, Well's Bay and Cave of Rum Bay (Rojer 1997). Presently, there is no nesting area on Saba due to the presence of only small rubble-beaches and the lack of permanent sand-beaches.- Most individuals of hawksbill sea turtles are juveniles or sub-adults, suggesting that they forage around Saba. Foraging areas are located along the south coast of Saba, around Green island, Core Gut Bay and Corner Point (Swinkels 2004). Adult hawksbills have been seen foraging on the Saba Bank.

- Coral reefs surround Saba island with dense patches of coral formations observed in the no-take zones within the Marine Park.

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- Unique diversity and structure of Saba's coral reefs composed by 5 types of reefs: 1) seamounts or pinnacles, 2) deep patch reefs, 3) encrusted boulders, 4) walls, 5) true reefs (built by living organisms such as corals) (Schults and Kooistra 1999)

- The Saba Bank is located 4 km southwest from Saba (17°25'N, 63°30'W), separated by a channel of more than 500 m deep, and forms a submerged seamount with a ring of actively growing coral reefs. It covers an area of 185 000ha (above the 50m isobath) and rises to an average depth of 24m below the sea surface. It is considered as the largest submerged atoll in the Atlantic Ocean and the 3rd largest atoll in the world (Lundvall 2008). About 10 globally threatened species (CR, EN, VU) are observed on the Saba Bank (Lundvall 2008).On the eastern edge of the Bank coral reefs grow over a 55 km long fringe. The coral reefs of the Saba Bank are relatively remote from intense human impact and may provide a reserve of biodiversity (through larval dispersal) for the region. Two marine habitat are represented within the Saba Bank: the pelagic habitat (with fish, sharks and rays, sea turtles, cetaceans), the benthic habitat (with coral reefs, sponges and algae and their associated fauna) (Lundvall 2008).- The Saba Bank is an important spawning area for fish species such as red hind, queen triggerfish (locally called moonfish) and squirrelfish. On the Bank, fish assemblages show a relatively high abundance of large predators (i.e. groupers, sharks) that are generally considered as an indicator of good ecosystem health (Toller et al. 2010).- Seabird densities on Saba Bank averaged two times higher than off the Bank (Postma and Nijkamp (1996).

Important Bird Areas (IBAs) (References: Collier and Brown 2009)- The Eastern Caribbean Islands are important resting areas for migratory birds (winter or summer transient species) that can rest and forage before travelling on to their northern or southern migrations.- Of the 87 bird species recorded on the island, 26 species breed and 36 are regular Neotropical migratory birds. However, Saba is too small to hold significant populations of migratory bird populations.- 1 IBA is identified from the coast to 400m inland around the perimeter of Saba and up to 1km over the sea. The IBA covers 2145 ha of terrestrial and marine habitats, including Green Island and Diamond Rock. Besides the coastal area of Saba Terrestrial National Park, there is no legal protection over the remaining terrestrial part of the IBA.- 8 (out of 38) bird species have a range restricted to the Lesser Antilles and Puerto-Rico, none of these is strictly endemic to Saba. A ninth restricted-range bird species, the Antillean Euphonia (Euphonia musica) has not been observed on the island since 1952 and is probably extirpated. Numbers of the Bridled Quail-dove (Geotrygon mystacea) have declined dramatically over the last 10 years and may also be heading for extinction on the island, as a result of predation and hurricane impacts.

Areas for mammals- Caves located in the southwestern part of the island harbor the Antillean Fruit-eating Bat (Brachyphylla cavernarum), a species restricted to the Lesser Antilles and Puerto-Rico (Rojer 1997).

Corridors- Saba Bank may be considered as an important Caribbean reef habitat due to its large extent and its upstream position relative to the northern Antilles and Meso-American Barrier Reef (Hoetjes and Wulf 2012).Saba Bank is affected by the Antilles Current that flows northward east of the Antilles. Sea-current patterns occurring on Saba Bank suggest that these coral reefs are potentially important source of fish and invertebrate larval dispersal to neighboring islands (Saba, St-Maarten, Virgin islands) and to islands in the eastern Greater Antilles (Lundvall 2008). A recent genetic connectivity study of Saba Bank by IMARES (Becking and de Bakker, 2015) detected gene flow for the coral

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Orbicularis cavernosa and the sponge Xestospongia muta within the Saba Bank as well as between the populations on the Saba bank and those at the nearby islands.- Saba Bank is an important area for cetaceans (including spermwhales and humpback whales) and is linked to other breeding sites of humpback whales in the Caribbean (i.e. Silver Bank) (Hoetjes and Wulf 2012). The vulnerable Spermwhale, Physeter macrocephalus, occurs on the Saba Bank (Debrot et al. 2013).

International recognition of natural habitats and wildlife- SPAW has recognized the Saba Bank National Park (268 000 ha) and the Saba National Marine Park (1300 ha), as protected areas with particular importance for the Wider Caribbean Region- The Saba Bank is recognized as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (no-anchoring zone, avoidance of the area by vessels over 300 gross tonnage)- The Saba Bank has also been acknowledged by the CBD (the Convention of Biological Diversity) as an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA)- 1 Important Bird Areas (IBA) is located all around Saba island (2000 ha).

International Treaties and Conventions- The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)- RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance- the Cartagena Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region with the SPAW Protocol (concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife)- the Bonn Convention (or the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) - Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC)- Convention for Migratory Species (CMS 1985), Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of migratory sharks (MoU Sharks, 2011)- International Convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (MarPol)

National Legislation- Nature Policy Plan, Caribbean Netherlands (2013-2017)- Nature Conservation Framework Act BES (Bonaire-St. Eustatius-Saba) (Stb. 2010, 565)- Fisheries Act BES(Stb. 2010, 566) and Fisheries Decree BES (Stb. 2010, 572): regulations regarding fishing in the territorial sea and the EEZ of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.- National Maritime Management Act BES (Stb. 2010, 626, amended Stb. 2011, 33)- Regulation designating Saba Bank as Nature Park (Nat. Gaz. 2010-20424- Regulation prohibiting ship traffic over the Saba Bank (Nat. Gaz. 2013-14291)- National Ordinance for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (PB 1993, no. 108)- National Ordinance on Civil Liability Oil Tankers (PB 1998, no. 169)- National Oil Pollution Compensation Ordinance (PB 1998, no. 170)

Saba legislation- Marine Environment Ordinance (1987), designated the Saba Marine Park, its zoning and regulations.- Exotic Species Ordinance and Ordinance on the Identification and Registration of Livestock and Domestic Animals: legislative efforts to recognize and control threats from non-native and alien exotic species.- Saba Marine Environment Ordinance of (1987): establishment of Saba Marine Park

Socio-economicand civil society context List of local institutions and organizations

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SABASpecial municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Government of the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment Directorate-General for the Environment and International Affairs (DGMI) Minstry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I)

Island Government of SabaNGOs

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA)

DCNA is a regional network of nature conservation organisations. This NGO supports nature conservation activities of national and local institutions which are responsible for the conservation of nature, species and or management of protected areas and other areas of high natural value in the Dutch Caribbean.

Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF)NGO managing Saba National Marine Park, Saba Bank National Park and Saba National Terrestrial Park. This local NGO is also in charge of managing the Saba Trail network, Saba Trail and information center.

Saba Bank Management Organization (SBMO)NGO in charge of the management and conservation of the natural and economic resources within the Saba Bank National Park

Sea and Learn FoundationNon-profit foundation that brings together the local community, diverse nature experts and visitors to understand the value of nature, both worldwide and locally on Saba.

Saba Archaeological Center (Sabarc)NGO that strives for the preservation of Saba's cultural heritage. Involvment of local youth and community in archaeology and heritage programs and surveys.

Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC)Foundation for environmental education and awareness. EPIC’s mission is to protect the Caribbean environment through research and community based action. Projects on Saba focus on bird research and environmental outreach and education.

Vogelbescherming Nederland - BirdLife International

Nongovernmental conservation organization associated to the International Organization BirdLife. The NGO has a special focus on bird conservation and conduct surveys in the Dutch Caribbean.

Research institutions

IMARES URInstitute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies based in Wageningen (Netherlands). IMARES is commisoned by the Ministry of EL&I and provide researchers and expertise for monitoring and research work on Saba island and Saba Bank.

NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea research NIOZ is the national oceanographic institution for the Netherlands, it facilitates and supports fundamental as well as applied marine research and education in the Netherlands and Europe.

Amherst College (USA) Participation to bird surveys on Saba.

National Museum of Natural History, Netherlands (Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie)

Research surveys conducted in the Windward Islands (Saba including the Saba Bank, St. Eustatius, St. Martin)

Government of the Netherlands

Major sources of fundingPlease complete the table below by providing information on the funding dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity in the territory.May you indicate projects that have been funded in the last 5 years ?

Source of funding Amount (US$) (year) BeneficiariesAdmission Fees/Service 84,007 (2012) Saba Conservation Foundation- DCNA-Trust fund for the Dutch Antilles: funds from Dutch Ministry of the Interior, Dutch Postcode Lottery

166,750 (2012) Saba Conservation Foundation

Government's subsidies 52,226 (2012) Saba Conservation FoundationDonations and souvenir sales 17,669 (2012) Saba Conservation FoundationGrants 157,820 (2012) Saba Conservation FoundationOther incomes 9,659 (2012) Saba Conservation FoundationEmergency Funding (DCNA Trust Fund): Installation of the island's hyperbaric chamber facility (DCNA Trust fund)

33,000 (2012) Saba Conservation Foundation

Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands

$135.000/year Saba Conservation Foundation for Saba Bank Management Unit

- Lack of funding

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Specify here the identified lack of funding dedicated to particular actions or projects for the conservation of biodiversity on Saba (both terrestrial and marine actions).

References

Becking, L. E. and D. de Bakker. 2015. Genetic diversity and connectivity of populations on the Saba Bank. IMARES Report number C015/15

BirdLife International. Database on IBAs and bird species: http://www.birdlife.org/

Brown A., Collier N., Debrot A., Del Nevo A. & Wells J. 2009. Dutch Caribbean. Pp 179 – 188 In C. Devenish, D. F. DíazFernández, R. P. Clay, I. Davidson & I. YépezZabala Eds. Important Bird Areas Americas - Priority sites for biodiversity conservation. Quito, Ecuador: BirdLife International. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 16.

Collier N. and Brown A. 2009. Important Birds Areas: Saba. BirdLife Conservation. Pp 259-262. In C. Devenish, D. F. DíazFernández, R. P. Clay, I. Davidson & I. YépezZabala Eds. Important Bird Areas Americas - Priority sites for biodiversity conservation. BirdLife International. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 16.

Debrot, A.O.; Graaf, M. de; Henkens, R.; Meesters, H.W.G.; Slijkerman, D.M.E. 2011. A status report of nature policy development and implementation in the Dutch Caribbean over the last 10 years and recommendations towards the Nature Policy Plan 2012 - 2017. IMARES Report C065/11.

Debrot A. O. et al. 2013. Marine Mammals of the Northeastern Caribbean Windward Dutch Islands: Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and the Saba Bank. Caribbean Journal of Science, Vol.47, No.2-3, 159-172.

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance 2012a. DCNA Annual Report 2012, 82p.

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance 2012b. Special Species List - Dutch Caribbean Key Conservation Species (December 2012)

Hoetjes P. and Wulf K. 2012. Report concerning the inclusion of Saba Bank National Park in the SPAW list. UNEP-SPAW-RAC Report. 27p.

Kadison E., Nemeth R.S., Blondeau J.E. 2009. Assessment of an unprotected red hind (Epinephelusguttatus) spawning aggregation on Saba Bank in the Netherlands Antilles. Bulletin of Marine Science, 85(1): 101-118.

Lundvall S. 2008. Saba Bank: Special Marine Area Management Plan 2008. 75p + app.

Meesters E., Slijkerman D., de Graaf M. & Debrot D. 2010. Management plan for the natural resources of the EEZ of the Dutch Caribbean. IMARES Wageningen Report N. C100/10, 93p.

New York Botanical Garden (S. A. Mori, W. R. Buck, C. A. Gracie, & M. Tulig). Plants and lichens of Saba. Collaborative project between The New York Botanical Garden, the Saba Conservation Foundation and Conservation International: http://sweetgum.nybg.org/saba/

Postma, T.A.C. and H. Nijkamp. 1996. Seabirds, marine mammals and human activities on the Saba Bank. Field observations made during the Tydeman expedition, April-May 1996. AIDEnvironment, report. 25 pp.

Rojer A. 1997. Biological inventory of Saba. Unpublished report, 86p.

Sastre C. et Breuil A. 2007. Plantes, milieux et paysages des Antilles françaises. Ecologie, biologie, identification, protection et usages. Parthénope Collection. 672p.

Schults E.G. and Kooistra D. 1999. Management Plan Saba Marine Park. Saba Conservation Foundation. 44p.

Swinkels J.L. 2004. Status of the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelysimbricata) on the Dutch Caribbean Islands of St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba. Unpublished. 55p.

Toller W, Debrot AO, Vermeij MJA, Hoetjes PC (2010) Reef Fishes of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles: Assemblage Structure across a Gradient of Habitat Types. PLoS ONE 5(5): 1-13.

UICN Redlist http://www.iucnredlist.org/ (Data of September 2014)

van Beek I.J.M., Debrot A.O., Walker P.A. and Kingma I. 2014. Shark protection plan for the Dutch Caribbean EEZ. ImaresWageningen UR Report number C209/13, 96p + app.

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Wulf K. 2010. Saba National Marine Park Lionfish Response Plan 2010. STENAPA. 19p + app.

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App1. List of threatened species. References: UICN RedList,DCNA 2012b - Dutch Caribbean Species of High Conservation Value, Lundvall 2008, New York Botanical Garden database, Rojer 1997, van Beek et al. 2014

Taxonomicgroup Threatened speciesPlants EN Nectandra krugii, Swietenia mahagoni, Guaiacum officinaleCorals CR Acropora cervicornis, Acropora palmata EN Montastraea annularis, Montastraea faveolata VU Agaricia lamarcki, Dendrogyra cylindrus, Dichocoenia stokesii, Montastraea franksi

Fish CR Epinephelus itajara (rare), Hyporthodus nigritus (rare)

EN Starksia williamsi, Epinephelus striatus VU Balistes vetula,Hippocampus erectus( ), Hyporthodus flavolimbatus (occ),

Hyporthodus niveatus (occ), Kajikia albida (occ), Makaira nigricans (occ), Lachnolaimus maximus, Lutjanus analis, Lutjanus cyanopterus (occ), Megalops atlanticus (common), Mycteroperca interstitialis, Scarus guacamaia (occ)

Sharks and rays VU Manta birostris (occ), Rhincodon typus (occ), Sphyrna zygaena (occ)

Reptiles CR Eretmochelys imbricata EN Alsophis rufiventris, Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta (occ)

VU Dermochelys coriacea (occ)Mammals VU Physeter macrocephalus

* Occ., Occasional species are not considered for the identification of KBAs.

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App2.Potential KBAs identified on the territory and justification following selected criteria.

N. Potential KBA Potential KBAs Justification

KBA1

Saba National Terrestrial Park (including Mount Scenery Reserve)

Plants- Presence of threatened: Black Sweet Wood (Nectandra krugii), Pockwood (Guaiacum officinale)

- Presence of restricted-range plant species, including species endemic to few islands of the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico: Clidemia umbrosa, Cordia nesophila, Tabebuia pallida, Chromolaena macrantha, Begonia retusa, Charianthus purpureus, Freziera undulata, Marila racemosa, Sloanea truncata, Marcgravia umbellata, Cyathea muricata, Agave karatto, Monstera adansonii, Vriesea antillana, Justicia eustachiana, Clusia major, Galactia rubra, Gesneria ventricosa, Isachne disperma, Mitracarpus polycladus

- Elfin forests are mainly composed by Mountain Mahogany (Freziera undulata), a plant species restricted to the Lesser Antilles

Invertebrates- Presence of butterfly species endemic of the Lesser Antilles (Electrostrymon angerona, Urbanus obscurus, Wallengrenia ophites)- Presence of Orthoptera endemic of the Lesser Antilles (Amphiacusta saba, Nesonotus tricornis, Orophus decoratus, Orocharis fulvescens)

Reptiles- These forests are home to reptile species endemic of Saba (Saban anole Anolis sabanus) and of St Kitts bank (Saba dwarf gecko Sphaerodactylus sabanus), and to the endangered Red-bellied racer (Alsophis rufiventrus)

- Presence of bird species restricted to the region of the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico: Brown Trembler (Cinclocerthia ruficauda), Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis), Green-throated Carib (Eulampis holosericeus)

KBA 2 Saba's IBA - Presence of 8 bird species endemic of the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico: Brown Trembler (Cinclocerthia ruficauda), Scaly-breasted Trasher (Margarops fuscus), Caribbean Elaenia (Elaenia martinica), Bridled Quail-dove (Geotrygon mystacea), Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorynchus cristatus),

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Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis), Green-throated Carib (Eulampis holosericeus), Lesser Antillean Bullfinch (Loxigilla noctis).

- Important congregation of breeding seabird populations: Red-billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus), Audubon's Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri)

Saba National Marine Park

- Presence of coral reefs with high coral coverage and the presence of threatened species: Acropora palmata, Acropora cervicornis, Agaricia lamarcki, Dendrogyra cylindrus, Dichocoenia stokesii, Montastraea annularis, Montastraea faveolata, Montastraea franksi

- Presence of threatened sea turtles: Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas

KBA 3

Caves of Great Hill (Caves Tentpoint and Fort Bay)

- Presence of bat species endemic of the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico: Antillean Fruit-eating Bat (Brachyphylla cavernarum)- Caves of Tentpoint and Fort Bay are included within the KBA 2.

KBA 4 Saba Bank National Park

- Presence of coral reefs with high coral coverage and the presence of threatened species: Acropora cervicornis, Agaricia lamarcki, Dendrogyra cylindrus, Dichocoenia stokesii, Montastraea annularis, Montastraea faveolata, Montastraea franksi

- Presence of the endemic and threatened fish species (Labrisomidae Starksia williamsi)- Presence of threatened fish species: Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus), Yellowedge Grouper (Hyporthodus flavolimbatus), Yellowmouth grouper (Mycteroperca interstitialis), Snowy grouper (Hyporthodus niveatus), Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus), Mutton Snapper (Lutjanus analis), Cubera Snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus), Rainbow Parrotfish (Scarus guacamaia occ.*), Atlantic Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara occ.*)- Moonfish Bank: Fish spawning area for red hinds (Epinephelus guttatus) and queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula)

- Presence of threatened shark species: Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus, occ.*), great hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena, occ)

- Important source of invertebrate (corals) and fishes larval dispersal to coral reefs of the neighboring islands- Presence of threatened sea turtles: Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas

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BEST III - Working document

- Presence of threatened marine mammal species (Physeter macrocephalus) and important breeding site for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)

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BEST III - Working document

Map of Potential KBAs proposed for Saba: KBAs 1-2-3

Map of Potential KBAs proposed for Saba: KBA 4 Saba Bank

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BEST III - Working document

Information on Audubon's Shearwater

Audubon’s Shearwater surveyed on Saba

The Audubon’s Shearwater, also known locally as the Wedrego, is Saba’s national bird and it’s displayed prominently on the island’s coat of arms. It is notoriously difficult to survey the Wedrego due to its secretive behavior and the steep and dangerous terrain it favours. This seabird spends much of its time out at sea, feeding out in the ocean during the day, and only returning at night to its breeding grounds on Saba and other islands, where it is believed to nest in underground burrows or similarly concealed locations.

Historically, surveys on Saba for the Audubon’s Shearwater have only been successful at determining the continuing presence of Wedregos on island, but it has been difficult to locate nest areas, flight paths, and populations.

Funded by Vogelbescherming Nederland (BirdLife Holland), through the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), an expedition led by EPIC (Environmental Protection in the Caribbean) in conjunction with Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), used RADAR to monitor the status and distribution of Audubon’s Shearwaters (Wedrego) on and around Saba. Biologists spent seven days in mid-December searching for and monitoring shearwaters.

The team surveyed most of the island including Wells Bay, The Bottom, Windwardside, Hell’s Gate, and Sulphur Mine. Shearwaters were detected at all surveyed locations and over 450 birds were recorded. Shearwaters were found to fly up numerous valleys on the island towards prominent cliffs.

Kai Wulf, SCF’s Parks Manager, said regarding the work, “Locals are very concerned about the status of their national bird and relieved to hear that there still is a lot of activity. However, we are wary about the impacts of invasive predators, specifically feral cats; and it is important to continue monitoring developments and keep up efforts to reduce threats to the vulnerable local seabird nesting colonies.”

“This is an excellent example of the kind of partnership between conservation organizations, which DCNA is proud to support,” said DCNA’s Executive Director, Kalli De Meyer. “It uses emerging science to give us new insights into these elusive and iconic birds, addressing a need identified in our Biodiversity and filling another gap in our knowledge about the birds on our islands.”

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