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SKN CONDUCTS MARINE ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

The Department of Environment (DoE) and the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Conserving Biodiversity Project will be conducting a marine ecological assessment.  This will take place within the St. Kitts and Nevis Marine Management Area (SKN MMA) at the conservation zones in Keys, Sandy Point and the Narrows from 13th to 24th June and 1st to 18th August 2018.

 

The overall task is to conduct a biodiversity and ecological assessment to expand on the existing baseline data that would be used to further support current and future coastal and marine resource management decision-making in and around St. Kitts and Nevis Marine Management Area (SKN MMA).  Knowledge sharing is key; therefore local expert knowledge will be integrated into this experience as Marine and Beach Conservation Officers (DMR), staff from St. Kitts Physical Planning and Department of Fisheries Nevis  will be working  along with the team of ecological inventory experts from ENVISION MAPPING.

 

The data collected will aid greatly in strengthening the management of the SKN MMA. There are other positive spinoffs for example with increased awareness leading to behavioral change then locals can assist in reducing habitat destruction in areas of influence for the conservation zones.

The DoE and DMR seeks the continued cooperation of persons living in these areas and the public in general. Remember when it involves #SKNMarineResources to #Use #Protect #Conserve to support #SKNbiodiversity!

For more information kindly contact; Claudia Drew, Project Coordinator, Department of Environment, 869-466-8535 .

 

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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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