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Declaration of St. Kitts Nevis Marine Management Area

Declaration of the St. Kitts & Nevis Marine Management Area (MMA)

On August 18th 2016, the Honorable Eugene Hamilton approved on behalf of the Government of the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis the declaration of the St. Kitts and Nevis Marine Management Area as defined by the two (2) miles radius of sea water around the St. Kitts and Nevis’ coastline including the Monkey Shoals area to be managed by the Department of Marine Resources as the entity with jurisdiction of the Federal Waters of St. Kitts and Nevis as indicated in the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Resources Act (FAMRA) 2016.

This St. Kitts and Nevis Marine Management Area has been proposed since the late 1980’s. Substantial work was completed in the 2010 Marine Zoning Plan for St. Kitts and Nevis after extensive multi-sectoral consultations to define the marine area to be managed and the zones within the area. However, the Fisheries Legislation at the time was inadequate to adequately manage the St. Kitts and Nevis Marine Management Area.

Since then several consultations and efforts have been geared towards increasing the awareness and importance of this proposed area. With the newly passed FAMRA 2016, there is now legislation that supports for proper management and governance of such an area.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is thankful to the fisherfolk, government officials, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, the Eastern Caribbean Marine Management Areas Network and other stakeholders for their invaluable assistance during the process of establishing the SKNMMA.

 

 

 

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DMR participates in SKN Bureau of Standards Exhibition 2016

Members of the Department of Marine Resources participated in the inaugural exhibition hosted by the St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards celebrating World Accreditation Day 2016 on the Thursday June 9th.

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The Department of Marine Resources is incooperating standards as defined by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to utilize an ecosystem based approach to Fisheries management.  This is evident in the tripartite structure of Aquaculture, Marine Management Areas (MMAs) and Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs).  Displays highlighted standards pertaining to cost of impact, criteria of proper evaluation, SMART techniques to be incooperated for result based management,  monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and the differences between them.

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Trade facilitation brochures were also on display which highlighted the processing of Fish and/or Fishery products. The procedures for import and export of fish/ fishery products include processing fees and certificates needed.

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For more information on the SKN Bureau of Standards World Accreditation Day exhibition see: http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/96667

 

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SKN Department of Marine Resources represented at WECAFC-FIRMS data worshop

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The Subregional Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Secretariat of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC)  hosted the WECAFC-FIRMS data workshop in Christ Church, Barbados from 19 to 21 January 2016.

The main goal of this regional workshop, through the WECAFC-FIRMS partnership, is to develop the foundations of a regional data base in support of priority fishery management plans, with initial focus on Flyingfish, Queen Conch and Spiny Lobster.

The workshop was  organized as the cornerstone of the joint FAO – European Union DG Mare’s project, “Strengthening national data collection and regional data sharing through FIRMS to support priority regional fishery management plans in the WECAFC area”.

GIS and Oceanography Officer, Ms Nikkita Browne, represented the St. Kitts-Nevis Department of Marine Resources.

 

 

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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.

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

A look at DMR’s 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

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