1 Sarita Williams-Peter Saint Lucia

2 Marine Protected Areas in Saint Lucia Bois D'Orange MangrovesMarine Reserve Caesar Point to Mathurin Point reefsMarine Reserve Canaries/Anse la Raye Marine Management AreaLocal Fisheries Management Area - Marigot Bay Mangrove ForestMarine Reserve - Artifical Reef at Anse Cochon (Lesleen M)Marine Reserve - Reefs extending from Rocky Shore south of Anse Galet Marine Reserve - Artifical Reef at Anse la Verdure (Daini-Koyomaru Dredger) Marine Reserve Cas-en-Bas MangrovesMarine Reserve Choc Bay Artificial ReefMarine Reserve Choc Bay MangrovesMarine Reserve Fond D'Or BeachMarine Reserve Grand Anse Beach and MangroveMarine Reserve Louvet MangrovesMarine Reserve

3 Marine Protected Areas in Saint Lucia Vigie Beach Artificial ReefMarine Reserve Point Sable Management AreaEnvironmental Protection Area - Maria Islet ReefMarine Reserve - Maria IsletsWildlife Reserve - Anse Pointe Sable-Man Kote MangrovesMarine Reserve/ Ramsar sites - Esperance Harbour MangrovesMarine Reserve / Ramsar site

4 Marine Protected Areas in Saint Lucia Marquis MangrovesMarine Reserve Moule-a-Chique artificial reefMarine Reserve Bois D'Orange MangrovesMarine Reserve Rodney Bay Artificial ReefsMarine Reserve Savannes Bay Mangrove AreaMarine Reserve Soufriere Marine Management AreaLocal Fisheries Management Area - Reefs from Anse Chastnet to the western most point of Trou au Diable Beach (includes Grande Caille Reef) Marine Reserve - Reefs from just west of Rachette Point to and including Bat Cave Marine Reserve - Reefs from the southern end of Malgretoute Beach to northern end of Jalousie Beach (i.e. Reefs around Petit Piton) Marine Reserve - Reefs from northern extent of Gros Piton to the western most point of Gros Piton Marine Reserve - Pitons Management Area (terrestrial and marine components) Environmental Protection Area/ World Heritage Site

5 Soufriere Marine Management Area: A Marine Protected Area on the West Coast of Saint Lucia

6 Background Increase in water-based tourism activity in Soufriere vs. traditional users Conflict and competition for limited space and resources among various users and uses Degradation of resources; loss of economic opportunity; threat of violence! Initial unsuccessful effort by Department of Fisheries

7 Unique Consultative and Participatory Process Clean slate Multiple stakeholder meetings:governmental, non- governmental, community-based persons Representation/mobilisation of groups Various site visits Scientific studies and popular knowledge No time line

8 Zoning Arrangements Marine Reserves Fishing Priority Areas Yacht Mooring Areas Recreational Areas Multiple Use Areas

9 Marine Reserves

10 Fishing Priority Areas

11 Yacht Mooring Areas

12 Recreational Areas

13 Multiple Use Areas

14 Mission Statement To contribute to national and local development, particularly in the fisheries and tourism sectors, through the management of the Soufriere coastal zone, based on the principles of sustainable use, co-operation among resource users, institutional collaboration, active and enlightened local participation, and equitable sharing of benefits and responsibilities among stakeholders.

15 Institutional Structure (I) Board of Directors (BODs) (meets at least once per quarter; also annual general meeting) Stakeholder Committee (meets at least once per quarter) Staff (manager, rangers, public relations officer, accountant, administrative assistant, auxiliary staff) Local Fisheries Management Authority under the Fisheries Act (Area is Local Fisheries Management Area) Not-for-profit Company under the Company’s Act Agencies on BODs retain individual management authority for areas and sectors under jurisdiction

16 Institutional Structure (II) SMMA Board of Directors President (person with proven knowledge and experience in the field of development and management, appointed for a renewable period of two years by Cabinet of Ministers, upon recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) Ministry with responsibility for Fisheries Ministry with responsibility for Planning Ministry with responsibility for Tourism St Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority National Conservation Authority

17 Institutional Structure (III) SMMA Board of Directors (Cont’d) St Lucia Dive Association St Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association Soufriere Fishermen’s Cooperative Soufriere Regional Development Foundation Soufriere Water Taxi Association Parliamentary Representative for Soufriere Constituency

18 Institutional Structure (IV) SMMA Stakeholder Committee (SC) Includes a broad membership to ensure representation of all stakeholders All major proposals for management and development produced or being considered by the management agencies of the Association, and related to the SMMA, must be presented to the SC for advice Issues raised by the SC are to be considered by the Board of Directors of the SMMA

19 Financial Arrangements User fees (dive, snorkel and coral conservation (mooring) fees Installation of moorings Sale of souvenirs Internet café Donations Grants

20 What Does the SMMA Do? (I) Scientific research on the natural resources of the area Regular monitoring of coral reefs, water quality and other environmental factors and resources Public information and sensitisation Provision of facilities for users of the SMMA, e.g. moorings Coordination of economic activities related to the SMMA and its resources

21 What Does the SMMA Do (II) Promotion of technologies that are appropriate and linked with local environmental, social and cultural aspects of the SMMA Surveillance and enforcement of rules and regulations Conflict resolution among the various user groups whenever necessary Maintenance of the principles of ongoing participation and public consultation

22 A Few Highlighted Achievements Co-existence of users with minimal conflict Increases in fish stocks in marine reserves and fishing areas and reflection of these increases in fishermen’s catches Self-sustainability with regards to operating costs International recognition Community support Enhanced awareness and sensitisation

23 But All is Not Well... Sedimentation and Sewage Overuse of certain dive sites (localised congestion) Non-compliance with rules and regulations by fishers from communities adjacent to Soufriere Theft on yachts/inadequate involvement of district police/lenient penalties Inadequate consultation regarding development activity or inadequate and/or untimely action when reports are made Late payment of user fees

24 New Developments/Challenges Management of Canaries/Anse la Marine Management Area (CAMMA) Proposed new hotel development in the SMMA, including marina World Heritage Site issues Sedimentation & wastewater, coupled with the compounding effects of storm events and global warming