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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

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Impact of Hurricane Irma on fish landing sites

September 6th 2017, the record breaking category 5 Hurricane Irma forced her way through the Leeward Islands like a bulldozer demolishing not only the landscape but the coastline of these islands.

Irma’s recorded maximum wind speed hit 185 mph on Wednesday, with some gusts of wind moving as fast as 215 mph. High speed winds formed  large waves, which when reaching the coast, they no longer have the deep ocean to continue the cycle hence pushing waves onto the land, known as storm surges. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s website has defines storm surge as an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, this is usually above and over the normal or predicted ocean tide.

Traditionally, our fish landing sites are found along the coastlines of St.Kitts and Nevis. The major landing sites in St. Kitts are Dieppe Bay, Sandy Point, Old Road and Basseterre. The major landing sites in Nevis are Newcastle, Charlestown and Indian Castle.

Without barriers of protection the coastlines are vulnerable to the effects of storm surges. Barriers such as coral reefs act as buffers that help waves to break in the ocean before they reach land. As a buffer, the reefs reduce the impact that the waves and storms have on the land. When storm surges have direct impact on the coastline then beach erosion can occur. In this case, beach erosion can cause the removal of sand from the beach by currents or waves. The photos below highlight the damage to the coastlines of local landing sites by Hurricane Irma.

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TURTLE CAMP A SUCCESS!

The St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network (SKSTMN) held its 10th annual Sea Turtle Camp from 17-29 July, 2017. Marine and Beach Conservation Officers from the Department of Marine Resources and St. Kitts Department of Environment served as Camp Counselors. The six officers were Locksley Edwards, Tasia Jones, Jevanito Huggins, Kaywanna Hughes, Ashadi Duncan and Lucianno Eddy.

Ashadi Duncan, Marine Conservation Officer recalled “We were all excited about becoming Camp Counselors and sharing our knowledge with the campers. It was easier than we thought; the campers were very engaged and enthusiastic about all of the presentations and field trips. The camp promoted positive messaging about sea turtles through art and craft interpretations which were displayed at the turtle release.”

The campers learnt about the importance of preserving sea turtles, their ecosystems and how they can get involved in sea turtle conservation in St. Kitts. Turtle edutainment (education and entertainment) through arts and crafts, games, and field trips to various beaches where they participated in beach scavenger hunts, beach clean ups, learned how to do beach profiling, and monitor sea turtle nests.  Another highly anticipated field trip was to the St. Kitts and Nevis Aquaculture Pilot Project and Environmental Research (SNAPPER) where campers met sea turtles that were there for rehabilitation by the SKSTMN. Plastics harm turtles! Campers learnt about the importance of recycling and reducing waste and participating in the St. Kitts Plastic Free July Campaign.

The Sea Turtle Camp concluded with a Hawksbill Turtle release on Saturday July 29th 2017, at Whitehouse Bay.  Over 250 persons lined the beach area to witness “KITTAR- The Kittitian Turtle” entering the Caribbean Sea.

 

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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.

 

 

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WIMAC has a voice on Ocean Matters

Members of the Women In Maritime Association Caribbean (WIMAC) from across the region represented at the first regional workshop on Climate Change Mitigation in Maritime Sector for MTCC Caribbean (Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre) and The Global MTCC Network (GMN) with support from the European Union (EU), International Maritime Organization (IMO) was hosted at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT)  from June 27-28, 2017.

The WIMAC ladies and gentlemen also attended the inaugural “Enhancing Ocean Governance in the Caribbean Region”  symposium from June 29-30, 2017. Which was hosted the Marine Studies of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited, and Well Services Petroleum Company Ltd. Both conferences had participants from 12 territories across the region.

Back Row (Left to Right): Suzette Balkaran, Deniece Aiken, Tricia Greaux, April Peters, Katarina McGhee, Colin Young, Kassandra George, Adanna Bonas, Jillianjoy Davis

Front Row (Left to Right): Tajae Harripersad, Francisca Reece, Sarita Mahabir-Lee, Jacqueline Blackman, Vivian Rambarath-Parasram, Kamara Lambert, Thecla Joseph, Anushka Alleng

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Beach and Marine Conservation Officers Hired

The St.Kitts and Nevis Conserving Biodiversity Project Coordinating Unit is hosting an orientation session for the newly recruited Beach and Marine Conservation Officers. The purpose of these Conservation officers is to assist in the maintenance of the marine and coastal environment by encouraging users of these areas to comply with the National Conservation and Environment Protection Act 1989 and Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Resources Act 2016. The protection of the Federations’s fragile eco-system is of paramount importance to these officers who are namely; Leonjo Daniel, Lockskey Edwards, Ashadi Duncan, Tasia Jones, Kaywana Hughes and Jevanito Huggins.

Claudia Drew, Project Coordinator commented “ the Project Coordination Unit has attained one of the critical project milestones towards operationalization of the Marine Management Areas through the employment of Beach and Marine Conservation.”

The orientation training includes; map reading, search and rescue, marine tour to all conservation zones within the St. Kitts and Nevis Marine Management Area, water quality monitoring, and heritage and culture.  The Beach and Marine Conservation Officers will also be doing awareness and outreach at the Summer Turtle Camp organized by the St.Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network.

 

Participants in training with a session facilitator Phynora Ible

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Ocean Governance within the Caribbean

The Marine Studies of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited, and Well Services Petroleum Company Ltd hosted the inaugural “Enhancing Ocean Governance in the Caribbean Region”  symposium from June 29-30, 2017. There are 12 participating territories from across the region in attendance and Ms Tricia Greaux – Department of Marine Resources and Mr Nigel Williams- Department of Maritime Affairs are representing St.Kitts and Nevis.

The opening ceremony consisted of several remarks from high ranking Government officials from Ministries of Legal, Defense, Coast Guard and Education as well as the President of Trinidad and Tobago His Excellency Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, ORTT, SC.

Presentations on The status of Ocean Governance in the wider Caribbean and Challenges to Effective Implementation included; The Cartagena Convention: A Caribbean Ocean Governance Framework by Dr. Lorna Inniss, Piracy and Armed Robbery by Judge James L. Kateka, Support to Implementation: IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme by Mr Colin Young, Ocean Governance- The Role of the Maritime Services Division by Lieutenant Commander Ronald Alfred. Prior to several panel discussions were presentations on Jurisdictional challenges and Management of resources in the wider Caribbean Sea.

The symposium concludes with action items that were initiated by the partners and territories to play a role in Ocean Governance of the wider Caribbean region.

 

St.Kitts and Nevis representatives at the Ocean Governance workshop

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Shipping out Climate Change

 

The first regional workshop  on Climate Change Mitigation in Maritime Sector for MTCC Caribbean (Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre) and The Global MTCC Network (GMN) with support from the European Union (EU), International Maritime Organization (IMO) was hosted at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT)  from June 27-28, 2017. The conference had participants from 12 territories across the region and Ms Tricia Greaux – Department of Marine Resources and Mr Nigel Williams- Department of Maritime Affairs are representing St.Kitts and Nevis.

The MARPOL Annex VI is a focus of the workshop; climate change indicators such as sea level rise, coastal zone degradation, severe storms and increased temperatures and exploring the impacts of both land and marine based emissions.

“Protect our natural resources…since the blue Caribbean sea joints us rather than separates us” said Mr. Ronald Alfred, Director Maritime Services Division, Trinidad and Tobago.

The importance of this project on a regional level is due to the inter and intra trading within the Caribbean and its impacts on industrial development.The MTCC Caribbean objective is to address the mitigation of emissions in the Maritime sector, focus on the Caribbean as an Emission Controlled Area, facilitate the uptake of available energy efficient technology throughout the Caribbean region, harmonize the approach to data gathering and information sharing, and to endure the commitment to promoting sustainable shipping in the region.

The outcomes of the workshop include understanding the project’s objectives and initiating pilot projects, conducting a needs analysis, creating a framework for implementation with the Caribbean territories thereby encouraging buy-in for the project objectives.

 

 

Climate Change Mitigation in Maritime Sector workshop participants

St.Kitts and Nevis participants in the Climate Change Mitigation in Maritime Sector workshop

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1st Meeting of the Regional Working Group on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (RWG IUU)

The first meeting of the Regional Working Group on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (RWG IUU) was held in Barbados from March 1-2, 2017.

The evolution of the RWG IUU into a tripartite group started at the 15th Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) Western Central Atlantic Fishing Commission (WECAFC) meeting which was determined to include Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and Central America Fisheries and Aquaculture Organisation (OSPECA). The overall aim of the RWG IUU is to enhance the regional governance for sustainable fisheries and is supported by the United Nation Development Programme/ Global Environmental Fund (UNDP/GEF) Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME+) project and FAO.

The meeting objectives included increasing awareness and understanding of IUU fishing problems and to identify possible solutions, build capacity for more effective collaboration in preventing and deterring IUU fishing, and  discuss the draft document that would indicate how the RWG IUU would operate and function as well as to develop work plans.

Belize and St.Kitts and Nevis were among several territories making presentations on how to address IUU fishing in their waters. The presentation for St.Kitts and Nevis was conducted by Wilmot Alleyne (Fisheries Enforcement Officer). He focused on the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Resources Act 2016 (FAMRA) and all the relevant parts which speak to IUU within the Federations’ waters. Mr Alleyne also indicated that he also referred to the National Plan of Action on IUU Fishing during his presentation. “Based on FAMRA all of the international instruments that St.Kitts and Nevis are party to has the force of law” said Mr Alleyne.

Subsequent RWG IUU meetings will occur in May and October of this year to complete objectives as outlined in the work plan.

RWG IUU Group photo

RWG IUU in session

Hon. Saboto Caesar , St. Vincent and the Grenadines Minister responsible for Fisheries giving  the featured address

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ST.KITTS AND NEVIS FISHERFOLK LEADERSHIP CAPACITY BUILDING SESSIONS

 

Fisherfolk leaders from the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis were invited to participate and benefit from capacity building sessions.   St.Kitts based fishers attended sessions held on February 13-14, 2017; similarly Nevis based fishers’ sessions were conducted on February 15-16, 2017. These workshops were facilitated by Mitchell Lay, Coordinator of Caribbean Network Fisherfolk Organization (CNFO). The CNFO works in conjunction with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Secretariat.

The Department of Marine Resources hosted the capacity building trainings. The Director, Marc Williams gave Opening Remarks and members of DMR staff gave presentations that included Local Legislation by Wilmot Alleyne, SKN Marine Management Area by Tricia Greaux and Food Safety in Fisheries by Nikkita Browne.

Objectives for the sessions included the promotion and development of;

  • awareness of the laws, regulations, and policies applicable to the fisheries sector in St. Kitts and Nevis
  • opportunities for fishers to discuss and clarify implications of fisheries management laws on their activities.
  • fishers’ participation in fisheries management, including in MMAs
  • fishers’ contributions to the national social security mechanism
  • food safety in the fisheries sector
  • leadership skills of leading fishers in St. Kitts and Nevis.
  • fisherfolk leaders’ capacity in communications
  • document and experience sharing

The CRFM Secretariat was the lead agency, fulfilling a mandate for fishers from St. Kitts and Nevis to be exposed to knowledge and skills which will promote their development and enhance their collective participation in sustainable fisheries governance.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis passed new legislation, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Resources Act 2016, which will impact the fisheries sector and guide its’ management. This activity will provide fishers with the opportunity to learn of these new measures and to discuss the implications, while identifying opportunities to participate in the governance and management of the sector.

       

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