Support for Sint Maarten’s fishermen: better monitoring of marine resources

Last August, five fishermen completed a new training course focusing on marine biodiversity, threats to ecosystems and the challenges facing small-scale fisheries. Like their predecessors, they will receive equipment of their choice, including fish finders, pumps and winches for their boats.
The Foundation has also launched a pilot programme to monitor catches involving participants from both cohorts. Species, weight, size, fishing techniques used and interactions with sharks and rays: the data collected will enable a better assessment of the state of fish stocks and the formulation of recommendations for their conservation. Vendors at the Simpson Bay fish market have been trained to take part in this data collection.
At the same time, educational displays showcasing the species available for sale and those under protection have been installed at the market. Multilingual leaflets and 3D-printed measuring tools for spiny lobsters and conch have also been distributed free of charge.
The Nature Foundation has also advised the government of Sint Maarten on the management of three fish aggregating devices donated by Curaçao. Installed offshore, these devices attract species such as tuna and dolphinfish, thereby offering alternative fishing opportunities that could reduce pressure on coral reefs. These initiatives receive financial support from the MENAA project, funded by the European BESTLIFE2030 programme, which is dedicated to the protection of overseas biodiversity.