Scarborough, Tobago – March 2024 – In anticipation of high traffic during the Easter weekend (March 29 – April 1, 2024), the public was reminded of crucial rules governing the Buccoo Reef Marine Park (MPA) in Tobago. As a restricted Marine Protected Area, the park operates daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and visitors were urged to be especially mindful of regulations to ensure safety and enjoyment for all.
To enforce these vital guidelines and ensure compliance, the Department of Marine Resources and Fisheries, in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG), and other law enforcement partners, conducted joint patrols of the MPA during the Easter 2024 period. Cooperation from all reef users and the general public was actively requested in adhering to and encouraging compliance with the rules designed to protect this national treasure.
Key Rules Within the Buccoo Reef Marine Park during Easter 2024 included:
- Reef tour boats must not exceed passenger capacity.
- No loud music (above 60 decibels) or alcohol consumption is permitted within the park.
- Boaters and those transiting must stay strictly within marked navigation channels.
- Passengers are not allowed on the upper decks of reef tour boats while in motion.
- Jet skiing is strictly prohibited within the MPA.
- No fishing of any kind is allowed within the MPA.
- Visitors must not remove or interfere with mangroves, the seabed, fish, or birds.
These regulations are vital for preserving the delicate ecosystem of the Buccoo Reef, a critical component of Tobago’s tourism offering and a cornerstone of its natural heritage.
Visitors to the Marine Park are encouraged to purchase entry tickets at authorised booths:
Booth #15 at Store Bay Beach Facility
Blue Booth at Pigeon Point Heritage Park
For questions or assistance, please contact the Department of Marine Resources and Fisheries at 639-4354/4446.
Have a safe and enjoyable Easter!
