SKN represented at First CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting and Inception Workshop in Columbia

The Project Coordination Unit (PCU) of the UNDP/GEF co-funded Project “Catalysing Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the Sustainable Management of shared Living Marine Resources in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems” (the “CLME+ Project”) held the First CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting and Inception Workshop held in Cartagena, COLOMBIA 26-28 January, 2016.

The CLME+ Project Steering Committee (PSC), is expected to provide overall strategic policy and management direction for the project and play a critical role in reviewing and approving overall project planning and execution. More specifically, the CLME+ PSC will be expected to, amongst other things and in line with the adoption of an adaptive management approach, review project progress and results, make recommendations and adopt the (biennial) project work plans and budget.

The objectives of this First CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting and Inception Workshop were to:
 Review and adopt suggested updates to the CLME+ Project Document

 Review and adopt the CLME+ Project Work Plan and Budget for the period 2015 – 2017

 Adopt the proposed TORs for CLME+ Project National Focal Points and Steering Committee, including the proposed Rules and Procedures for the PSC meetings

 Review activities implemented during CLME+ Project Inception Phase

 Review and adopt proposed coordination and management arrangements for the CLME+ Project and the 10-year CLME+ Strategic Action Programme (SAP)

 

Representing St. Kitts-Nevis, for the Deparment of Marine Resources, was Ms. Nikkita Browne in her capacity of Oceanography and GIS Officer.

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St. Kitts-Nevis represented at (ECMMAN) 4th Advisory and Coordination Committee (ACC) Meeting

The Eastern Caribbean Marine Management Area Network (ECMMAN) 4th Advisory and Coordination Committee (ACC) Meeting is being held on March 9-11th 2016 in The Federation of Grenada.  In attendance was Marine Management Areas + Habitat Monitoring Officer Ms. Tricia Greaux from the St. Kitts-Nevis Department of Marine Resources.

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The objectives of the meeting were:

  • Present and discuss technical and financial reports from each of the ECMMAN Implementing partners – SPAW_RAC/ CaMPAM, OECS Commission, PCI Media Impact, Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism / Caribbean National Fisherfolk Organization and The Nature Conservancy.
  • Share experiences on issues, challenges and successes related to the project implementation at the national level in the 6 ECMMAN countries
  • Discuss major activities of ECMMAN for 2016 and life beyond the ECMMAN that will conclude in 2017.

Ms Tricia Greaux, made a very important country report on the progress of St. Kitts and Nevis’ implement successes over past four years.

MMA Officer participates in OECS ICZM Consultation

OECS Consultation

Marine Management Areas and Habitat Monitoring Officer, Ms Tricia Greaux attended a two-day OECS Regional Consultation on: ” The Draft Model Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Policy and Model Development Setback Guidelines”.  The USAID sponsored consultation took place February 11-12 th, 2016 at the Trade Wines Hotel, St. John’s Antigua.

The participants received training and engaged in active discussions on several critical issues over the duration of the workshop.  Some of which included: ” Concepts and Principles in ICZM”, “Decision Support Tools”,  ” Model OECS ICZM Policy” and “Model Coastal Development Setback Guidelines”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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History and Heritage Hike to the Narrows

On Saturday February 27th, 2016, The Deparment of Marine Resources partnered with the organisers of History and Heritage Month in St. Kitts and Nevis to guide a hike to Cockleshell Bay.

About 30 persons took part in the hike that was lead by Mr Kharim Saddler (Fisheries Assistant) with responsiblity for FAD’s and Seamoss Product Development.  Mr Saddler sensitized the participants about the benefits of the mangroves, biodiversity, the sand erosion on the South Friars Bay and the importance of protecting The Narrows (The Channel between St. Kitts and Nevis).

The hike began on Frigate Bay Lawn at about 6.30am and continued 6 miles to Cockleshell Bay.

Shark Sighting Not A Cause For Alarm

St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): A shark advisory by Nevis’ Department of Fisheries came as a surprise to the Director of the St. Kitts Fisheries Marc Williams, who tells WINN FM that his inquires indicate that there was just one incident reported of a bull shark coming ashore in pursuit of prey. Something he says that is not unusual.

“There’s no Nevis waters or St Kitts waters, it’s the waters of the federation of St Kitts and Nevis, it’s federally managed waters. So the advisory that was issued by the Department of Fisheries in Nevis was somewhat abrupt and very surprising. We should have the same information but there was no communication before the advisory was issued. It was reported in Nevis that it seems a shark was in following a stingray and in pursuit of the stingray it came ashore that was all. There was no incident of that shark patrolling the beach looking for someone to attack or anything like that it was in pursuit of food. In the case of bull sharks they normally come right in to shore to pursue their prey”

Mr Willams said.

Last Tuesday the Nevis Department of Fisheries issued a Shark Sighting advisory, warning the public to ‘take precautions.’

CATS PROMOTES SAVING OUR CARIBBEAN PARADISE

 

Department of Marine Resources (DMR) launches its new website!

 

Department of Marine Resources (DMR) launches new website and social media page.

The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) welcomes 2016 with exciting new ventures: diving into the mobile, web and social media revolution.

DMR has launched a responsive website and social media page via Facebook in an effort to connect with a wider audience. Director of DMR, Mr. Marc Williams stated “The new website provides a platform that allows us to inform interested individuals of our vision: to promote the sustainable use of all living marine resources in all waters of national jurisdiction and areas beyond the national jurisdiction of Saint Kitts and Nevis as well as projects undertaken by the Department of Marine Resources.”

The addition of our social media presence creates an avenue for interested persons to stay up to date with the plethora projects launched by the DMR.

Tricia Greaux, Marine Management Area and Habitat Monitoring Officer, DMR, is extremely excited “We would like persons to get a feel of our marine environment and change the attitude of fear of the ocean; we have used vivid visual and audio content (pictures, videos) on the website to help to enlighten the public”.

Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions (CATS) Component 2 has funded the website which was developed and designed by local digital marketing company, Caribbean Commerce Ltd.

TAKE THE PLUNGE INTO DMR’s website www.dmrskn.com and COME SEE THE SEA with us by liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DMRSKN

Promoting Awareness of “The Narrows”

Saving the reefs with FORCE