Wreck of the Rhone Marine Park

Location

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Key Information

TYPE
MPA
DESIGNATION
Marine Park
LOCATED IN
British Virgin Islands
AREA
3 km2 MARINE AREA
2.88 km2 TOTAL AREA i
MANAGED BY
National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands; The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour
LEVEL OF FISHING PROTECTION (LFP)
Marine life removal is prohibited (or entry is prohibited)
DATA SOURCE(S)

Boundary: The Nature Conservancy (Unmodified)

DATA VERSION

1.0

LAST REVIEWED

January 2023

OTHER DATABASES
World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) ID: 78

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Purpose

To protect one of the most popular diving locations in the British Virgin Islands. The RMS Rhone was wrecked off the coast of Salt Island and sunk by a hurricane in 1867, and is now a shelter for several species of reef fish and marine organisms.

Species of Concern: Multiple

Regulations Summary

Restrictions

No person shall, in a marine park:
1. moor, anchor or beach a vessel except in such areas designated for those purposes and in accordance to any terms and conditions that may be determined by the Trust or required under the management plan;
2. attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any coral, rock or other formation, or any mangrove or other vegetation, whether temporary or permanent in nature;
3. damage, move, or break off any bottom formation or growth;
4. discharge of any ballast water, bilge water, sewage, garbage or other refuse from a vessel.
5. A person in charge of a vessel within two hundred and fifty yards of a mooring buoy or anchorage in a marine park shall not exceed a speed of five knots per hour.
6. Except as provided (see allowed activities), no person shall fish in a park.
7. No person shall feed fish in a marine park.
8. A person shall not use in a park any poisonous substances, electrical charges, explosives, or any other similar device for the catching or killing of fish.

Allowed

1. A person in charge of the vessel shall, when approaching a marine park, the shoreline of a terrestrial park, or operating in an area of a park where vessels are allowed, at all times use safe boating practices, including respecting posted speed limits and take special measures where necessary under severe weather conditions to ensure control of the vessel and its safe operation.
2. The Trust may designate, from time to time, a specific area or zone of water within a park where fishing may be allowed for a specified period and subject to conditions relating to the kind and quantity of fish that may be caught and the type of fishing equipment and other devices which may be used, and the Trust may terminate the designation and close the area to fishing whenever, in its judgment, closure is necessary to protect or restore the fishery or the natural ecology and natural functions of the area.

Governing Regulations