Posts

Whales Beached in Nevis

On Saturday 10th February, 2018, Nine Short-Finned Pilot Whales beached themselves on Dog Bay and at Garlin Bay at Indian Castle, Nevis.

There were mammoth efforts to save three of the nine whales and transport them to be released back into the ocean. Unfortunately one died while being transported. Therefore, two of the nine Pilot Whales were saved and released into the ocean.

Permanent Secretary Huey Sargeant-Ministry of Fisheries et al. in Nevis, Thema Ward – Physical Planning and Environment, Nevis and Lemuel Pemberton- Nevis Turtle Group were leading the efforts. They were then assisted by a delegation from St. Kitts namely Kharim Saddler-Fisheries Assistant (DMR), Sara Ramirez -St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network, Paul Fyre and Kelsey Johnson – ROSS University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Necropsies were performed and samples taken in order to help determine a possible cause of beaching. Of the nine whales; 2 were females, 3 were males and the other sexes unknown. The average length of the whales were 3.6 meters or 11.8 feet.

The Department of Marine would like to extend gratitude to the Indian Castle/Gingerland and surrounding area community members, fishers, students, volunteers, researchers and Government entities such as the St. Kitts Nevis Coast Guard, Department of Agriculture St. Kitts, Physical Planning and Environment Nevis.

 

 

/by

Co-management as an option for the Narrows

A workshop to facilitate the Development of an effective co-management model for The Narrows / Newcastle Bay, St. Kitts and Nevis was held at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church Hall Charlestown, Nevis from January 11 – 13, 2018.  The Organization of American States (OAS) Sustainable Cities, Resilience and Risk Management Project in collaboration with The St. Kitts and Nevis Department of Marine Resources (DMR) with Ms. Janice D. Hodge as the Consultant.

 

Welcome remarks were given by Richard M. Huber, Ph.D., Chief, Sustainable Communities, Hazard Risk, and Climate Change Section, Department of Sustainable Development, Organization of American States. An overview of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Resources Act of 2016 (FAMRA) regarding MMAs and provisions for co-management “shared management responsibility”  was presented by Maritza Queeley, Port State Control Officer, DMR. Tricia Greaux, Marine Management Area and Habitat Monitoring Officer and Ahisha Herbert Marine Conservation Officer presented an overview of Marine Managed Areas (MMAs), highlighting the St. Kitts and Nevis Marine Management Area with description of zones and boundaries.  Principles of Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) with emphasis on the human dimension in natural resource management and Ecosystem Based Adaptation to Climate Change and Ecosystem Based Fisheries was done by Tasia Jones, Marine Conservation Officer.

 

The second day of the workshop will include an assessment of Stakeholders’ Perceptions regarding co-management of The Narrows / Newcastle Bay facilitated by Janice Hodge. As well as the session to develop a draft co-management model to include responsibilities for all stakeholders.

 

A Field Visit to Newcastle Bay and a Marine Tour of the Narrows to observe the socioeconomic interactions between fishers and community members as fishers return from sea with their catch which they sell to their customers as well as to observe the marine biodiversity that exists within that area.

 

/by

Respond Rebuild Recover

The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has taken part in collaborated activities with Ministry of Tourism under the theme, “Good For Us, Better For All.” In observance of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and the St. Kitts Ministry of Tourism organised a Climate Smart Sustainable Tourism Forum 2017, to promote sustainable ability practices and enhance the climate resiliency of the Caribbean Tourism. The forum was held at Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI) from 11th-14th December, 2017 bringing together local regional and international representatives from public and private sector tourism entities, as well as development agencies that offer programming in sustainable tourism.

Interactively engaging practices of sharing in building climate sensitive and sustainable Caribbean tourism products, practical workshops, experiential field visits and the presentation ceremony for CTO’s 2017 Sustainable Tourism Awards. The CSSTF 2017 initiative, aims to strengthen holistic destination management approaches in the Caribbean. The forum addressed major sessions to include:

Leading The Way – Destination St. Kitts – tackling common issues for Small Island Developing States and created truly sustainable solutions to maintain this balance.

Speakers on this session were: Carlene Henry-Morton – Permanent Secretary, St. Kitts Ministry of Tourism, Dianille Taylor-Williams – Assistant Secretary, St. Kitts Ministry of Tourism, Tricia Greaux – Marine Management Areas and Habitat Monitoring Officer, Department of Marine Resources (DMR), St. Kitts.

Tourism Resiliency through Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation – strengthening resiliency through adaptation and mitigation strategies that buffer tourism industries from environment catastrophes.

Speakers on this session were: Dr. Ulric Trotz – Deputy Director, Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (CCCCC), Dr. Halla Sahely – Environmental Consultant/Representative, Caribbean Water & Wastewater Association, Angela Burnett – Environment Officer (Climate Change) Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Government of the British Virgin Islands, Danker Kolijn – Coastal Engineer – CBCL Limited, Clive Bacchus – General Manager/Editor in Chief, West Indies News Network

Leading The Way – CTO in Action – holding fast to their vision to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year round, warm weather destination.

Speakers on this session were: Hugh Riley – CEO & Secretary General, Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Dr. Peter Schuhmann – Professor of Economics, University of North Carolina at Washington

Climate Change as an Opportunity – discovering solutions that help businesses to thrive on the context of future climate conditions in the Caribbean.

Speakers on this session were: John Marcocchio – Regional Project Manager, Caribbean Clean Energy Programme (CARCEP), Dr. Roche Mahon – Social Scientist, Caribbean Institution for Metrology & Hydrology (CIMH), Arno Boersma – Manager, Aruba Centre of Excellence (COE) for the Sustainable Development States (SIDS) Dr. Lisa Indar – Head, Tourism & Health Program Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Kimberly Carr-Tobias – Research Assistant, Institution for Gender & Development Studies (IGDS) University of the West Indies – Mona Campus

Innovative Models & Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism – enhancing working knowledge of sustainability models to maximize new markets opportunities.

Speakers on this session were: Greg Phillip – CEO, Nevis Tourism Authority, Geoff Bolan – CEO, Sustainable Travel International (STI), Ena Harvey – Representative, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Delegation in Barbados, Buddha Jezu-Maria – Marketing & Communications Executive, Travelife, Meshach Alford – Independent Consultant, Tipping Point Planning Services

Risk management for Sustainable Tourism – networking with the experts and forge relationships with partners to seek a process of crafting well-defined disaster management protocols.

Speakers on this session were: Dr. Yves Robert Personna – Project manager, Environmental Sustainability Unit (ESU), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Gina Sanguinetti – Communications Programme Director, Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF), Amanda Charles – Sustainable Tourism Specialist, CTO

Moving Tourism Development Beyond National Borders – experiencing St. Kitts with field visits to provide a platform for destination’s showcase.

Speakers on this session were: Gregory McKenzie – Televising Presenter and Reporter, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), United Kingdom, Michael McKenzie – Arts & Entertainment Producer, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), United Kingdom

The CTO was honoured to partner with St. Kitts & Nevis to host this forum, which will explore various facets of sustainable tourism, in view of the threats and opportunities for regional tourism development, as a result of climate variability and climate change.

   

Lucianno Eddy, Ashadi Duncan, Tasia Jones, Sasha “Kodi” Edwards, Ahisha Herbert , Locksley Edwards (Marine and Beach Conservation Officers )

Tricia Greaux giving Welcome Remarks at the STF Launch.

 

Thema Ward and Tricia Greaux prepared the presentation for the Leading the Way Destination St. Kitts

Marine and Beach Conservation Officers with the guest speaker Gregory McKenzie.

/by

Plans a sail for Yachting Sector

On November 23, 2017, there was the official launch of the St. Kitts and Nevis Yachting Sector Strategic Plan and the Implementation Plan for the Development of the Yachting Sector, 2017-2022. At the launch, senior ministers of Government such as, the Hon. Lindsay Grant (Minister of Tourism), the Hon. Ian Liburd (Minister of Infrastructure), Mrs. Carlene Henry Morton (PS in the Ministry of Tourism in St. Kitts) and Mr. John Hanley (PS in the ministry of tourism in Nevis) were present.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Yachting Sector Strategic Plan and the Implementation Plan for the Development of the Yachting Sector has a National Yachting Advisory Committee: a 20 member strong working group of public-private -sector stakeholders who have been demonstrating a sincere commitment to realising the expansion of the Yachting sector. The DMR has two representatives serving on this committee namely Kharim Saddler and Tricia Greaux. The yachting sector adds value to our tourism product, helps to drive socio-economic development, enhance livelihoods and contribute to revenue generation for the local economy. Several members of the committee coordinated and managed the launch.

Mrs. Carlene Henry Morton (PS in the ministry of Tourism in St. Kitts) spoke highly about the launch. She highlighted the many benefits the country would receive such as increased recognition and development.  She also outlined the objective of the advisory committee, “The National Yachting Advisory Committee, with its mandate to service and oversee the yachting sector in St Kitts and Nevis and to review and advise the Minister on all matters pertaining to the development of the yachting sector, will facilitate this process and move it forward. Of course on this journey we will have our road maps, these critical documents that we are here to launch today will help us to chart that course.”

 

The Hon. Lindsay Grant also expressed similar notions as Mrs. Carlene Henry Morton. Mr. Grant expressed that it was a proud moment for him as a Kittitian and as the Minister of Tourism. He also proceeded to thank the private and public stakeholders who helped to reach the milestone. Grant added that when the medium- to long- term benefits of the establishment of marinas such as Christophe Harbour, berthing facilities and boat yards are considered, they translate into economic spin-offs that pay dividends for local entrepreneurs and ancillary businesses.

 

/by

Zing dives in with DMR

The November-December copy of the Zing Magazine – the in flight magazine for LIAT The Caribbean Airline is featuring Tricia Greaux, Marine Management Area and Habitat Monitoring Officer at the Department of Marine Resources.

See sneak peeks of the article below;

What is the most rewarding element of your job?

The ability to share my passion for the marine environment with others daily and to be able to serve as the officer with responsibility for MMAs when St.Kitts and Nevis declared the first MMA, the SKN MMA in August 2016.

What do you do on a typical day – if there is such a thing?

Just like the ocean with its unpredictability, my day is often the same. One day I might be in a high school classroom in St Kitts sharing my passion for the marine environment, the next in Korea being trained as a Sustainable Ocean Initiatives Trainer, or in Grenada becoming a certified Marine Protected Areas Manager. I absolutely love the flow of my job.

What do you like to do in your downtime?

As the Creative Director of the Anjolique Dance Company, our dance pieces create awareness of social and environmental issues (www.anjoliquedance.com). The environment inspires the earrings and hair jewelry that I create, Creative Cultured Creations.  I serve at the Antioch Baptist Church and within my community through the Reach for Recovery SKB Breast Cancer Support Group.

What is your current job title and what exactly does the Department of Marine Resources do?

I am the Marine Management Area (MMA) and Habitat Monitoring Officer at the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) in St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN). The DMR’s vision is “To promote the sustainable use of all living marine resources in all waters of national jurisdiction and areas beyond national jurisdiction of St. Kitts and Nevis.” Using the ecosystem based approach to fisheries management of which you can read more on www.dmrskn.com

ZiNG Caribbean seeks to capture the energy of the Caribbean in a fun, colourful and interesting magazine for the customers of LIAT and people around the world who share our love for this vibrant, beautiful and friendly region. Click this link below to view the ZING EMAG (electronic magazine). http://ta-emags.com/V1/Zing/Z40/

 

 

/by

Use It. Protect It. Conserve It. SKN Biodiversity

The Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resource, Cooperatives, Environment and Human Settlement, the Department of Marine Resources, the Department of Physical Planning, and the Department of Agriculture are among the stakeholders supporting this week’s campaign launch.

On the 10th October 2017, ZIZ Broadcasting Station DJ and Radio Host Sinclair “GQ” Liburd interviewed Marine Management Area and Habitat Monitoring Officer-Tricia Greaux, Conserving Biodiversity Project Coordinator- Claudia Drew and Communication Consultant – Sherlene Neal. The discussion surrounded aspects of the branding and communication campaign to increase education and awareness of St. Kitts and Nevis biodiversity areas were highlighted new Protected Areas (Terrestrial/Land) and Marine Management Areas.

The campaign aims to increase dialogue among the general public and some specific target audiences on biodiversity by demonstrating how biodiversity is linked to life and livelihood. It demonstrates the value of protected areas and marine management areas, particularly conservation zones and why it is important to use the resources wisely and conserve natural resources and biodiversity.

“Conserving the biodiversity of St. Kitts and Nevis and using our natural resources wisely is key to the very survival of our country. We need every resident of St. Kitts and Nevis to understand the important role that they play in conserving biodiversity” said Hon. Minister Eugene Hamilton in his address to launch the strategy.

Activities being conducted in conjunction with the launch include a media tour, visits to fishing and farming communities and visits to schools.

In August 2016, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis declared the first ever marine management area. The St. Kitts and Nevis Marine Management Area or SKN MMA is an area for management of the marine resources with 5 use zones – fishing priority, conservation, recreation, transport and mixed use. It spans 2 mile radius around St. Kitts and Nevis and includes Monkey Shoals.

/by

Rum benefits Sea Turtles !

The St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network (SKSTMN) is teaming up with Brinley Gold Shipwreck Rum (Brinley) to make the launch of their new White Reserve Caribbean Rum one that benefits sea turtles in St. Kitts. Brinley has agreed to donate a portion of proceeds from first year sales of the new White Reserve Caribbean Rum to the SKSTMN. In addition, Brinley has created turtle-shaped hang tags (see pictures) to place on several Brinley Gold Shipwreck Rum varieties. This will allow customers near and far to learn about the sea turtles of St. Kitts, the SKSTMN, and support sea turtle conservation efforts in the Federation while enjoying Kittitian-born rum. “We are thrilled to be working with this great team and their truly worthy cause. The St Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network is protecting sea turtles & their beautiful habitat… and we are VERY proud to be a part!” said Brinley Gold Shipwreck Rum Owner, Zach Brinley.

The SKSTMN is a registered NGO in St. Kitts as well as a Public Charity in the United States with tax exempt 501c3 status. A community-based organization formed in 2003, the SKSTMN aims to implement a long-standing sea turtle conservation management program, promote community awareness of the plight of sea turtles, and advocate for stronger sea turtle protection laws in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. SKSTMN Director, Dr. Kimberly Stewart, added, “This partnership with Brinley Gold Shipwreck Rum offers opportunities for conservation education and public awareness regarding sea turtles and the marine environment in St. Kitts that transcend geographic boundaries and we could not be more excited!”

To learn more about the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network and/or make a donation, visit www.stkittsturtles.org, email skturtles@gmail.com, or call the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Hotline at 1 (869) 764-6664. To learn more about Brinley Gold Shipwreck Rum visit http://www.brinleygoldshipwreck.com/. To find Brinley Gold Shipwreck Rum vendors in your area visit http://www.brinleygoldshipwreck.com/find-our-rum or http://opiciwines.com/product-locator/. 

/by

What to expect with Hurricane Maria?

As we prepare for Hurricane Maria, what effects should we expect from this natural phenomenon?

As indicated in this post http://dmrskn.com/impact-of-hurricane-irma-on-fish-landing-sites/ Hurricane Irma damaged fish landing sites in St. Kitts and Nevis. These damages were experienced even as Hurricane Irma passed to the north of the island. Most of the fish landing sites are located on the western side of the islands and are washed by the Caribbean Sea.  Hurricane Maria’s path indicates that she would pass south of St.Kitts and Nevis.

It is expected that the brunt of the impact from this hurricane will be felt on our coastline. St. Kitts and Nevis can experience storm surges caused from Hurricane Maria’s high speed winds. Storm surges can be caused by high speed winds create large waves, which when reaching the coast, they no longer have the deep ocean to continue the wave cycle hence pushing the waves unto land. They will produce waves that can inundate the coastline of St.Kitts and Nevis.

Strong gusts of wind combined with heavy rainfall can also impact infrastructure along the coastline.

Fishers and boat owners are advised to dry dock their vessels preferably further inland to avoid or minimize possible damages to their property.

We will keep you updated on the effects of Hurricane Maria after the storm has passed.

Satellite view of Hurricane Maria

Projected path of Hurricane Maria

/by

DFX dives in with DMR

Designing For the Xtraordinary (DFX) Mas Band has donated marine inspired costumes to the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to boost the aesthetics of the department’s marine environment based awareness efforts. The DMR has partnered with the Anjolique Dance Company to implement a project “SEE LIFE SEA SKN”- a national level visual campaign about the marine environment. This project is primarily funded by the Global Environmental Fund United Nations Development Program Small Grant Proposal.

DFX released their carnival parade troupe “Beauty Everywhere” for Sugar Mas 45 held December 2016-January 2017, highlighting the various aspects of the marine environment. The intimidating section named “Ravage” showcased the Lionfish as an invasive predatory fish species within the Caribbean Sea. The allure of the sea splashing on our beaches below the enchanting Caribbean nights sky was displayed in the royal blue and black section “Seduction”.

Later in July 2017, DFX allowed the DMR to use male and female costumes from the Ravage and Seduction section and also a magnificent Octopus costume from the mas camp. The DMR used these pieces in the Agriculture Open Day display.

The month of September highlights the official handing over of these costumes to the DMR. Marine Conservation Officers will form part of the SEE LIFE SEA SKN project’s Marine Awareness Consortium (MAC). The MAC will serve as the marine environment education catalysts for primary, secondary and tertiary school visits.

DFX – Designing For the Xtraordinary Mas Band is an Entertainment & Design Company that strives to Design, Enhance and Create the Ultimate Experience and Best Service for all, through Music, Photography, Makeup Artistry and Costume Design! For more information contact Corrine Poujade-Flanders at Designing For the Xtraordinary (DFX) Mas Band dfxmasband@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/DFX.

 

Tricia Greaux- MMA and Habitat Monitoring Officer, DMR and Corrine Poujade-Flanders – Designing For the Xtraordinary (DFX) Mas Band at the handing over ceremony.

Octopus Costume

Seduction Costume

Sea Shell Costume

Ravage Costume

/by

Informing regional fisheries management with accurate data from a new perspective

The first Regional Workshop on Recreational Fisheries Data and Statistics hosted at the Bahamas Agricultural Industrial Corporation Nassau, Bahamas from 22-25 June 2017. More than 30 regional experts from 12 Caribbean countries attended and Ms Nikkita Browne of the Department of Marine Resources  represented St.Kitts and Nevis at this workshop. There was a capacity building focus to increase the collection of recreational fisheries data in the region. Such data can help inform sustainable fisheries management in all fishery sectors at national and regional scales.

This workshop is the 6th meeting of the joint Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC), Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), Organization for Fisheries and Aquaculture of Central America (OSPESCA), Caribbean Fisheries Management Council of the USA (CFMC) Working Group on Recreational Fisheries.

This workshop was supported by the Caribbean Billfish Project, which is a component of the GEF-funded, World Bank implemented, Ocean Partnership for Sustainable Fisheries and Biodiversity Conservation Models for Innovation and Reform (ABNJ) Project, and is being executed by the Secretariat of WECAFC at the Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

 

 

Various organizations have convened in Nassau, Bahamas for the first Regional Workshop on Recreational Fisheries Data and Statistics.

 

 

/by