Sunscreen Awareness Bonaire - Moving towards an oxybenzone-free island
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Sunscreen Awareness Bonaire
Moving towards an oxybenzone-free island Photos by: © Raynel Cecilia
By Diana Slijkerman (WMR) & Sharon Bol (BD)
Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) and Boneiru UV-filter levels and thus environmental risk seem to be
Duradero (BD) supported by World Wide Fund for related to tourist intensity, country of origin and product
Nature the Netherlands (WWF-NL) organised a use. The levels of oxybenzone found in water samples were
Sunscreen Awareness Conference, on March 21st 2018, higher when more beachgoers used oxybenzone-products.
inviting stakeholders from the government, NGO’s and These tourists, predominantly cruise tourists, were mostly
tourism sector on Bonaire to participate. The goal of the originating from the US. Stay-over tourists from the EU
conference was twofold: show a relatively limited use of oxybenzone-based sun-
screen products.
1. Educate participants about international
sunscreen research and the studies that were Dr. Slijkerman’s problem analyses made clear that sun-
implemented on Bonaire. screen pollution is neither the biggest nor the only threat
to coral reefs. Climate change, overfishing and eutrophica-
2. Create “buy-in” and create partnerships by engaging tion are the main drivers of the degradation of our reefs
stakeholders to develop an island wide sunscreen for the last decades. However, impaired water quality by
strategy for Bonaire. chemicals such as UV filters adds to the problems of al-
ready stressed reefs which undermines their resilience and
The conference started with a presentation by Diana ability to withstand and recover from e.g. global warming
Slijkerman (WMR), to inform participants on international related impacts.
sunscreen research and the studies that were implemented
on Bonaire. Sunscreen research is relatively new and Although not studied extensively, international scientist
still ongoing, but one thing is very clear: the UV-filter claim that sunscreen products containing UV-filters based
oxybenzone has been identified as the major “culprit” on zinc and titanium are better alternatives. A positive
harming corals. and clear action perspective on the local scale makes it
possible to improve water quality in order to make reefs
Studies done in 2016 and 2017 on Bonaire showed that UV more resilient.
filters from sunscreens are present in the water of Lac Bay
at levels that cannot exclude environmental effects on the Participants of the sunscreen conference agreed on the
organisms in the highly valuable ecosystems. The latest clear action perspective. “When we convince tourists on
study also included nearly 400 interviews among beach Bonaire to use sunscreens without oxybenzone, every
goers on Sorobon, asking the tourists where they are from, swimmer, snorkeler and diver can contribute to the
what sunscreen products they use, and whether or not it improvement of water quality today” Sharon Bol says.
includes oxybenzone. Although the study was indicative,
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There was a general consensus among all participants that sustainable island. Participants agreed unanimously that
action should be taken on Bonaire concerning potentially there is a positive and clear action perspective. WMR and
harmful sunscreens. The attendees of the conference BD are in the process of developing communication mate-
participated in a lively discussion, and the following paths rials for an island wide awareness campaign. This includes
forward were identified: an educational poster and an animation video that should
educate tourists and inhabitants on Bonaire about the
1. Legal ban of oxybenzone-containing products. effect that sunscreens with the UV-filter oxybenzone can
2. Changing consumer behaviour. have on corals.
3. An environmental tax for cruise tourist.
The informative poster was finalised using the par-
Representatives from the tourism sector were mostly ticipants inputs, and distributed among dive shops and
in favour of a legal ban. They feel that a legal ban on the supermarkets. The online artwork of the poster reached
UV-filter oxybenzone will make it easier to convince their 35.000 people through Facebook. The animation was also
customers of the harmful impact of sunscreens to our reef. launched online and had 5000 views. It could be promoted
In contrast, most NGO’s and members of the government further e.g. via Tourist TV and TV screens at airport, in
are opposed to a ban. They have concerns about the feasi- hotel lobbies and restaurants.
bility. In the first place, it would be very difficult to build a
legal framework that covers all arguments. Enforcement The fact that cruise tourists do not pay any fee for the use
would also be an issue: “We could try to prohibit the sale of of the marine park is a concern to most participants of the
sunscreens with oxybenzone on Bonaire, but it is impossible sunscreen conference. Stay-over tourists and other users
to control the sunscreen products tourists bring from home”. of the marine park pay an annual fee of 10 USD for water
A rule in the Bonaire National Marine Park management activities such as swimming or bathing but cruise tourists
plan could, however, strengthen the communication about don’t have to pay. Since cruise tourists that enter Bonaire’s
the subject. sea attribute to the decreased water quality too, an envi-
ronmental tax for cruise ship visitors should be considered.
The solution for reducing impact of sunscreens on the This tax would allow Bonaire to continually fund awareness
reef is largely connected to behavioural change. It is as campaigns, educating tourists about the use of sunscreens
simple as avoiding sunscreens with oxybenzone. That is and the unique value of Bonaire’s coral reefs. Most im-
why most participants of the sunscreen conference viewed portantly is that the cruise sector has to be engaged, on
awareness as the best way to move forward. Moreover, a strategic island level. Cruise tourists should be made
an awareness campaign can be implemented much faster aware of the unique quality of Bonaire’s nature and the fact
than a law. Another advantage of sunscreen awareness that they are visiting protected areas. Furthermore, they
is that it can help to reinforce Bonaire’s positioning on should be informed NOT to bring oxybenzone-sunscreens
the “vacation market”. After all, we are striving to be a to Bonaire while booking their trip.
Sunscreen Awareness Bonaire
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Photo by: © Sharon Bol
During the conference, many remarks and ques- different brand of sunscreen. And, inspired by the
tions were brought into the lively discussion. recent decision of Hawaii to ban harmful sun-
Among many things it was argued whether or not screens, the Island Council unanimously adopted
the current law already provides us the ability to a motion calling for a ban per January 1, 2021
prevent the use of oxybenzone inside the Bonaire for sunscreen product containing oxybenzone
National Marine Park via a revision or addition in and octinoxate. The team is willing to share their
the marine park management plan. The urgent knowledge and contribute to the steps to be taken
need for more research was also expressed. in the process that lies ahead.
Research should focus on additional water quality
monitoring, and potential levels and effects of Coming year, the project team goes ahead with
current proposed alternatives such as zinc and the Sunscreen Awareness project, focusing on
titanium. The conference concluded with a list of both remaining research topics and awareness
action points and possible opportunities for island- raising via various media.
wide cooperation.
Questions and remarks? Please contact the team
Soon after the conference, several positive steps via: Diana.Slijkerman@wur.nl and
forward were made by the public and private Sharon@bolholding.com
sector on Bonaire. Van den Tweel Supermarket
Bonaire is one of the first supermarkets on Bonaire We thank Sabine Engel (STINAPA Bonaire),
that removed sunscreens with the UV-filter Olivier Kramer and Carolyn Caporusso for their
Oxybenzone from their assortment. Furthermore, assistance and support.
Jibe City did not hesitate and switched to selling a
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