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La Réserve naturelle de Saint-Martin est une aire marine protégée de 30km2 située au nord-est de l’île de Saint-Martin. Créé en 1998, cet espace préserve les cinq principaux écosystèmes de l’île : récifs coralliens, mangroves, herbiers de phanérogames, étangs et forêt sèche littorale.

Newsletter-44

Journal #44
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Newsletter-44

Best wishes !
Premier rang, de g. à d. : Chantal Impérial, représentante des écovolontaires ; Ashley Daniel, garde technicien ; Aude Berger, chef de projet Life BIODIV’OM ; Alexina Paya, responsable administratif et financier ; Amandine Bordin, directrice de l’AGRNSM e

Dear members, partners, and friends of the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve,

In this time of reflection and renewed hope, we send you our sincerest wishes for a year filled with peace, health, and environmental progress. May 2024 be the year we move forward together towards a more sustainable future.

The past year has witnessed concerning climate changes and increased pressures on our precious ecosystems. However, it is with a spirit of resilience that we welcome the new year, ready to face these challenges with renewed determination.

In 2024, we will continue to work tirelessly, constantly seeking innovative solutions to protect and restore our environment. Our mission remains clear: to preserve the beauty and diversity of the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve.

We are thankful for the support you have provided and hope that you will continue to walk alongside us on this sometimes arduous path. Together, we can turn small victories into great triumphs for our environment.

With hope and commitment,

The Team at the Association for the Management of the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve

Amandine Bordin, a New Era for the Nature Reserve
Amandine Bordin, Directrice
Amandine Bordin, Directrice

Amandine Bordin, a New Era for the Nature Reserve

On December 1, 2023, Amandine Bordin joined the team as the director of the management association of the Saint Martin Nature Reserve, where she also serves as the conservator. With 11 years of experience in French Guiana as the head of the marine sector of GEPOG, an association dedicated to the study and preservation of Guianese biodiversity, she has previously been the conservator of the national nature reserve of Grand Connétable Island, the second-largest overseas reserve, which is accessible after two hours at sea and serves as a sanctuary for more than 40,000 seabirds during the breeding season.

ecosystems management from the University of La Rochelle, she has a rich ecological culture, the result of a curriculum filled with international experiences: a semester at Erasmus at the University of Swansea in Wales, another dedicated to the study of marine mammals in the Gaspé Peninsula, and a six-month immersion in New Caledonia focused on the protection of dugongs, highlighting her interest in large marine fauna. On the cusp of her 39th birthday, she is excited to explore a new horizon, collaborate with a new team, and face unique challenges. She is also eager to tackle issues specific to our island’s ecosystems, such as the preservation of coral reefs and the management of invasive exotic species. With a clear vision of the challenges ahead, she is ready to continue implementing the current management plan while optimizing the reserve’s administrative management by providing new tools. She aims to strengthen trust with technical, institutional, and financial partners, rejuvenate cooperations, promote the reserve’s expertise in environmental expertise, and increase stakeholders’ awareness of ecological issues. Lastly, she places particular importance on establishing a system that fosters the integration of young people, tapping into the human resources of the territory.

To promote the conservation of the coral reefs and related species

2023, a sad record for temperature and coral bleaching
Acropora blanchi fin 2023 | Acropora bleached by the end of 2023
Acropora blanchi fin 2023 | Acropora bleached by the end of 2023

Action CS2 – Monitor and assess the health of reef benthic communities

Action MS 39 – Participate in regional, national, and international symposiums

From September 18 to 22, 2023, the French Initiative for Coral Reefs (IFRECOR) orchestrated a meeting in Saint Barthélemy, supported by the Territorial Environmental Agency (ATE). This assembly mobilized representatives of the French Antilles State services and coral environment specialists, with the aim of examining the state of coral reefs, conservation strategies, and scientific advances. The discussions also focused on emerging challenges, such as coral diseases, climate disturbances, and recent episodes of coral bleaching. In August 2023, Martinique and Guadeloupe witnessed a coral bleaching event of a magnitude unmatched since 2005, a phenomenon that extended a few weeks later to Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy. This bleaching, which occurs when water temperatures exceed 30°C, depends on the intensity and duration of this thermal increase. Thus, the coral reefs of the French Antilles endured a major bleaching episode in 2023. Already tested by an epidemic in 2019-2020 and by a disease affecting diadema sea urchins, essential defenders against invasive macro-algae, corals are now even more vulnerable to environmental stresses. Specifically, the zooxanthellae, symbiotic microalgae and a vital source of energy for corals, become deficient and even toxic under the effect of bleaching. The good news – although no assessment of the real impact of this episode has been conducted – is that sporadic observations within the Saint Martin nature reserve reveal an encouraging rate of recovery of the affected corals, contrasting with the situations observed in Martinique and Guadeloupe. It appears that the brevity of the temperature rise in the waters of the Northern Islands may have moderated the consequences of the phenomenon. This technical workshop of specialists has initiated new collaborations, particularly with an expert algologist. Her expertise will be sought in 2024 to enrich the inventory of marine algae on the seabeds of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy. The French Biodiversity Office (OFB) has been approached for funding this mission.

After organizing underwater prospections to confirm these bleaching reports, the association managing the nature reserve (AGRNSM) decided to request the dedicated IFRECOR fund to implement a new assessment of the impact of the event, thanks to the intervention of a specialized study office. A competitive selection procedure was initiated to choose an expert study office, and by the end of the year, the reserve was awaiting the State services’ selection of the chosen service proposal. The goal: to quantify the phenomenon and assess its impacts on the island’s reefs. This approach by the AGRNSM underlines the commitment of the nature reserve management association as a local project leader, to face global changes, in collaboration with the bodies involved in the conservation of coral reefs and associated ecosystems.
The Recorea Project Is Making Great Strides
Bateaux au mouillage au rocher Créole | Boats at anchor at Creole Rock
Bateaux au mouillage au rocher Créole | Boats at anchor at Creole Rock

Action CS3 – Develop and test coral reef rehabilitation and associated species (priority 2)

Action IP6 – Contribute to the rehabilitation of coral reefs and seagrasses.

Action PR2 – Develop and enhance scientific collaborations (priority 1)

Following a call for projects initiated and funded by the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) to mitigate the anthropogenic pressures experienced by coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves, the ReCorEA Saint Martin project is led by the nature reserve, with Clément Bonnardel at the helm. This ambitious project also relies on financial support from Atout France and the Veolia Foundation. The work is planned in four phases:

  • Updating the mapping by analyzing satellite images, coupled with a sociological survey of users of the area and a quantitative evaluation of nautical frequentation in the reserve.
  • Reviewing and strengthening the mooring park for regulated uses.
  • An assessment of the project’s impacts by monitoring the health of the beneficiary ecosystems.
  • Support for the emergence of eco-responsible behaviors, by setting up public awareness actions and for schools, as well as the animation of participatory restoration workshops, for the conservation of mangroves.

At the end of the year 2023, the data collected in the field by the reserve has enabled the artificial intelligence, developed by their service provider iSea, to learn to recognize and map natural habitats from satellite images. A working version was delivered at the end of the year. This first draft requires corrections to better discriminate between the different types of environments selected by the partners. The analysis of these same satellite images also allows for the identification of the areas most frequented by boats and to know their size. These pieces of information will be essential to develop proposals for the architecture and sizing of the future mooring strategy in the reserve. In parallel, about a dozen maritime professionals shared their opinions with Clément Bonnardel regarding the infrastructure already present in the reserve. Where are there moorings? Do they use them? Do they consider them safe? Do they meet their needs? The survey continues among professionals, but also recreational boaters and institutions like the DEAL, the Directorate of the Sea, or the Gendarmerie Nautical Brigade. The beginning of the deployment of the new park is planned for the summer of 2024. The analysis of the satellite images also produced interesting results regarding the delineation of the coastline, by allowing the comparison of aerial photos dating from February 2017 with images taken in January 2023. Defined by the limit of vegetation or constructions, this coastline has receded by about thirty meters at some sites, but also advanced by a few meters at some rare others.

As part of the ReCorEA Saint Martin program, the replanting of mangrove seedlings from the reserve’s nursery continues around the Saline d’Orient and the Fish Pond, notably with the “educational marine areas” classes, or on the site of the “Mangrove Nursery” project by AGRNSM agents, but also thanks to the commercial company Seagrapes Tours, which invites its tourist clients to participate in the restoration of the mangrove. In parallel, 33 “eco-delegate” students from the Robert Weinum high school were made aware of the fragility of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves during a visit between the Grandes Cayes beach, the mangrove nursery, the Saline d’Orient pond and the Embouchure bay. The next step of the project will be the implementation of a mangrove monitoring protocol, in connection with the tropical wetlands hub of the French Committee of IUCN, at the beginning of the year 2024.

Beached Catamaran On Christmas: Not A Gift…
Catamaran Dream Yacht échoué en décembre 2023 à Grandes Cayes
Catamaran Dream Yacht échoué en décembre 2023 à Grandes Cayes

Action IP4: Remove macro-waste

Action IP5: Monitor and respond to anthropogenic discharges

The Christmas celebrations were somewhat disrupted in the Saint Martin nature reserve, with the beaching of a charter catamaran on the reefs of Grandes Cayes around noon on December 24th. The skipper, who was sailing alone, reported a mechanical failure on his 54-foot (16.4 meters) Bali catamaran while en route from Antigua to Anse Marcel marina. The reserve management team observed that the boat had crossed the first coral barrier and was resting on the second row. An initial inspection dive revealed that both propellers had disappeared, as well as both keel fins, and that there was a water ingress. It quickly became evident that removal by towing from the land was the only possible solution. The partner company and owner of the vessel collaborated with specialized companies, in consultation with the manager, to develop a methodology conducive to the rapid removal of the wreck, in order to limit the impacts on the coral barrier and avoid further pollution. The planned operations were submitted and validated by the local DEAL services, and AGRNSM agents were on-site to ensure the proper conduct of the work. Once the fuel was pumped out of the tanks, the wreck could be towed ashore and the boat demasted. Continuous guarding prevented looting of the ship. At the end of the year, the secured and consolidated wreck was relaunched on a nearby and suitable area to be towed to a pollution removal and deconstruction yard. Exchanges will take place at the beginning of 2024 to establish the procedure to ensure the repair of the terrestrial and marine environments successively impacted by the accident and the evacuation of the wreck. The environmental damage has already been assessed and documented by the management teams with the support of the DEAL services in Saint Martin.

Life BIODIV’OM: The Committees Via Videoconference
Réunion du comité de pilotage du Life BIODIV’OM | Steering comittee meeting of the Life BIODIV’OM
Réunion du comité de pilotage du Life BIODIV’OM | Steering comittee meeting of the Life BIODIV’OM

Action IP4 : Develop and test coral rehabilitation and associated species

The European project Life BIODIV’OM for Saint Martin is coming to an end. Dedicated to the restoration of the Nassau grouper and the goliath grouper, it has been subject to regular monitoring committees, the last of which was held on December 7th by videoconference. It brought together Amandine Vaslet, PhD in ichthyology; Margot Mesnard, expert in sustainable development; Alexina Paya, expert in marine environment and Hadrien Bidenbach, manager of the One Shark SXM project. The following day, the steering committee of Life BIODIV’OM took place via videoconference, led by Aude Berger, project manager since its launch in 2018. She presented the progress and evolution of the actions carried out. Members of the board of the Saint Martin Nature Reserve Management Association (AGRNSM) as well as several public institutions participated: the prefecture, DEAL, direction of the Sea, collectivité of Saint Martin, nautical brigade of the gendarmerie, head of the association Les Fruits de mer, the Territorial Environment Agency of Saint Barthélemy (ATE) and the Regional Biodiversity Agency of Guadeloupe (ARB).

Partnership Between Reserves
Ces coraux cornes d’élan en pleine santé ne sont plus qu’un souvenir à Petite-Terre | These healthy elk horn corals are now just a memory at Petite-Terre
Ces coraux cornes d’élan en pleine santé ne sont plus qu’un souvenir à Petite-Terre | These healthy elk horn corals are now just a memory at Petite-Terre

Action MS1 : Participate in the monitoring of marine biocenoses within the network of reserves

Julien Chalifour has lent his support to the management team of the Petite-Terre national nature reserve in Guadeloupe by participating in the annual monitoring of the health of its reefs and seagrass beds. This year’s mission, part of a long-standing partnership, also benefited from the expertise of Sébastien Gréaux from the Territorial Environmental Agency of Saint Barthélemy. This mission was coordinated and led by specialist engineers from the Créocéan study office. The dives allowed for the assessment of the extent of the recent coral bleaching in Guadeloupe, including the observation of mortality in a large number of historical elkhorn coral colonies, Acropora palmata.

To promote the conservation of seagrass beds and related marine plant species

Maël Andrieux Validates His Master’s Degree
Aude Berger et Maël Andrieux travaillant sur une Biohut | Aude Berger and Maël Andrieux working on a Biohut
Aude Berger et Maël Andrieux travaillant sur une Biohut | Aude Berger and Maël Andrieux working on a Biohut

Action CS3 : Develop and test rehabilitation programs for coral communities and associated species

Action CS7 : Develop and test rehabilitation programs for seagrass beds

Action MS31 : Develop and strengthen partnerships with the Community, state services, the Tourist Office, the Rectorate, and local institutions and associations

Maël Andrieux, a master’s student in Water Sciences and the Dynamics of Aquatic Ecosystems at the University of Pau and the Pays de l’Adour, completed his end-of-study internship at the Saint Martin Nature Reserve Management Association, as a project manager for mitigating the impacts of port developments on the coastal biodiversity of Saint Martin. As part of his responsibilities, he actively participated in the monitoring of 40 Biohuts – artificial nurseries for aquatic fauna – but also in the creation of informational panels at the three port sites of Galisbay, Fort Louis Marina, and Anse Marcel Marina. On October 7, 2023, his internship defense allowed him to validate his Master’s degree. Today, the Saint Martin Nature Reserve Management Association is considering the next steps for this project, which will require mobilizing new funding. The positive point is that the three port entities are in favor of continuing this innovative program that is beneficial for the marine ecosystem.

To promote the conservation of the sea turtle population

Sea Turtles Tracked
Trace d’activité de ponte de tortue marine à Tintamarre | Trace of marine turtle nesting activity at Tintamarre
Trace d’activité de ponte de tortue marine à Tintamarre | Trace of marine turtle nesting activity at Tintamarre

Action CS13 : Monitor sea turtle nesting activity

Action MS22 : Ensure the recruitment, supervision, and training of volunteers, interns, and recruited staff

Action MS37 : Participate in meetings, maintain and strengthen partnerships with regional networks

Action PA7 – Continue and develop a participatory science program

From the end of September to the beginning of December 2023, a series of videoconferences was organized within the framework of the steering committee for the national action plan for the preservation of sea turtles in the Antilles. The Saint Martin Nature Reserve Management Association contributed to the various thematic commissions, namely awareness, stranding management, conservation of terrestrial and marine habitats, as well as the enrichment of scientific knowledge. During these commissions, the nature reserve was able to share its experience, results, objectives, and actions implemented in the territory. The last steering committee meeting was held in person in Guadeloupe on December 14, 2023. Julien Chalifour represented the Saint Martin Nature Reserve Management Association, alongside associations and stakeholders engaged in the protection of sea turtles in Guadeloupe and Martinique.

The annual sea turtle breeding period concluded on November 30, 2023, thus closing the phase of monitoring tracks and nesting on the beaches, a task carried out by volunteers and the nature reserve. While the final report is being finalized, preliminary data reveal that the year 2023 has been particularly successful in terms of nesting activity, with special mention for hawksbill turtles. Moreover, a significant number of emergences – the moment when the newborns leave the nest and make for the sea – was observed, especially towards the end of the season.

To maintain or improve local conditions for nesting bird populations

The Regulation Of The Rat Population Is Coming To An End
Installation des dispositifs de régulation des espèces exotiques envahissantes | Installation of control devices for invasive exotic species
Installation des dispositifs de régulation des espèces exotiques envahissantes | Installation of control devices for invasive exotic species

Action IP5 : Implement management actions on introduced species

As part of the France Relance plan aimed at regulating populations of introduced small mammals, the islet of Tintamarre was subject to a trapping operation between July 2022 and October 2023. In total, 150 automated traps were installed and have accumulated 7,500 activations to cover two-thirds of the islet. The deployment strategy consisted of initially positioning the traps in the first and then in the second third of the islet, before transferring them to the last third in September 2023 for the final phase of the project, scheduled until the end of February 2024. The first indicators of success for this initiative are notable: no more complaints from campers, and the absence of rat tracks on the beaches. Although these observations are promising, a more in-depth evaluation of the effects on the flora will be carried out during the next floristic inventory in two years, thus allowing for the assessment of the long-term impact of this regulation on the ecosystem of the islet.

To ensure good conditions for the reintroduction of the Lesser Antilles iguana

Retour à l’état naturel pour Tintamarre
Tintamarre, potentiel futur sanctuaire de l’iguane des Petites Antilles à Saint-Martin | Tintamarre, potential future sanctuary for the Lesser Antillean iguana in Saint Martin
Tintamarre, potentiel futur sanctuaire de l’iguane des Petites Antilles à Saint-Martin | Tintamarre, potential future sanctuary for the Lesser Antillean iguana in Saint Martin

Action CS 33 : Favoriser les conditions de réintroduction de l’iguane des Petites Antilles

Action CS 34 : Etudier la faisabilité d’un programme de reproduction ex situ pour l’iguane des Petites Antilles

À la mi-septembre 2023, le gestionnaire de la réserve naturelle a élaboré et présenté un plaidoyer ambitieux pour la restauration de l’îlet Tintamarre. Ce joyau naturel, scindé entre une partie classée en réserve naturelle et une propriété privée, est au coeoeur d’un projet de conservation et de mise en valeur. L’initiative vise une restauration écologique complète : retrait des espèces exotiques envahissantes, réhabilitation des espèces endémiques, tant faune que flore, et préservation du patrimoine historique, tels que l’aérodrome et les vestiges de l’exploitation agricole Van Drummond du 19ème siècle. Ce programme d’envergure est conçu pour s’étaler sur au moins trois années, nécessitant un investissement humain et logistique important, ainsi qu’une levée de fonds significative. Ce projet s’inscrit pleinement dans le plan de gestion de la réserve naturelle et pourrait permettre de créer une zone pilote pour la conservation des populations d’iguanes des Petites Antilles, un “laboratoire” pour mettre en contact des reproducteurs de différentes zones, dans le cadre du projet caribéen de conservation de cette espèce. L’îlet possède des caractéristiques idéales pour l’iguane des Petites Antilles : une superficie adéquate, l’écosystème d’une forêt sèche riche en biodiversité, une variété d’habitats nourriciers, de croissance et de reproduction favorables à ces herbivores, et une isolation qui les protège des espèces concurrentes et prédatrices telles que les chats, chiens, mangoustes, singes verts, et iguanes communs. Des initiatives similaires ont déjà porté leurs fruits sur d’autres îles, comme sur l’îlet Redonda, où la régénération de la végétation a été spectaculaire depuis. Le plaidoyer a été adressé à la Island Ocean Conservation Challenge – IOCC – une plateforme internationale soutenue par “Re:wild”, ONG environnementale bénéficiant du soutien de personnalités engagées telles que Leonardo DiCaprio.

Keeping an eye on the regulations and the level of human activities compatible with the goals of La Réserve

Police Actions
Saisie d’un engin de pêche illégal : casier non-immatriculé | Seizure of an illegal fishing device: unregistered trap
Saisie d’un engin de pêche illégal : casier non-immatriculé | Seizure of an illegal fishing device: unregistered trap

Action SP2 : Continue and strengthen the environmental policing missions

During the year 2023, the commissioned and sworn agents of the reserve carried out 204 sea patrols, identifying 24 non-compliant controls: undeclared commercial companies, unauthorized nocturnal moorings, fishing activities, drone usages, prohibited in this protected space. 

Note: For pleasure boaters wishing to moor at Tintamarre in the evening, the AGRNSM reminds of the need to submit a request at least three days in advance.

152 terrestrial patrols took place, resulting in 24 non-compliant controls: kite surfing on Galion beach, drone usages, shoreline fishing, areas where regulations aim to protect endemic fauna and flora...

  • An official report was issued by the environmental police unit on November 21 against a commercial company whose French-flagged boat was operating without authorization in the waters of the natural reserve.
  • A Sint Maarten company owning several motorboats was suspended from operating in the natural reserve for two weeks. This sanction followed a violation of the mooring regulations, which require anchors to be placed more than 20 meters from the beach of Tintamarre. The boat in question had anchored only 10 meters from the beach, endangering the marine ecosystem and the safety of swimmers.

 

Ensuring environmental communication, awareness, and education

7700 People Made Aware By The Educational Department In 2023
Classe de CP de l’école Omer Arrondell sur le site de la baie de l’embouchure pour l’observation des crabes dans la mangrove
Classe de CP de l’école Omer Arrondell sur le site de la baie de l’embouchure pour l’observation des crabes dans la mangrove

Action PA5 : Carry out educational interventions in schools

Continuously successful among teachers and students, the educational department will unfortunately have to limit the number of its interventions, suffering from a lack of personnel to support Vincent Oliva in carrying out his mission. Over 7,700 people benefited from the interventions of the nature reserve from January to December 2023. The educational department of the RN conducted 385 interventions in 88 classes – across 19 educational institutions, 1 training center, 2 organizations, and 9 associations – both indoors and on the field: on the Froussards trail, the Embouchure bay, Creole rock, and the beaches of the Lowlands. The next goal will be to set up kayak outings in the mangrove of the Embouchure bay. The significant increase in time dedicated to educational activities compared to 2022 is the result of an anticipated increase in staff promised by the Collectivity of Saint- Martin – a commitment that remains to be fulfilled. To honor the promises made, Vincent Oliva has chosen to work additional hours. However, this exceptional commitment cannot be sustained in 2024 without concrete support from the Collectivity. This additional workload has also affected Vincent Oliva’s availability for his other essential missions within the reserve, particularly in terms of management, enforcement, and scientific research. To facilitate the reservation process, the department is considering developing an online platform, in order to make the coordination of interventions more efficient and to reduce the number of interventions per establishment so that all can benefit from an intervention by the nature reserve.

Discovering Biodiversity While Having Fun

Action CC2 : Publish and distribute communication materials on the heritage of the RN

Thanks to financial support from the EDF Foundation, a 3D printer received through the TeMeUm program, and a good dose of creativity, the educational department has designed “Discovering the Biodiversity of Saint Martin”, a question and answer game on six different themes, all related to the ecosystems of Saint Martin. Consisting of a game board, a die, 61 cards with 364 questions, and hollow tokens in the shape of a thistle – the logo of the natural reserves of France – which players fill by correctly answering questions, this game is suitable for all ages, starting from 4th grade. By the end of June 2024, Vincent Oliva plans to teach this game during a morning session to a class from each of the six selected schools – Happy School, Hervé Williams, Marie-Amélie Leydet, Emile Choisy, Jean de la Fontaine, and Aline Hanson – with the ambition of organizing a tournament in 2025 between the best players from these institutions.

A Day For The Resilience Of Nature

Action PA6 : Raise public awareness about the objectives of the RNN (Réserve Naturelle Nationale) and natural heritage

Action PA8 : Participate in local events

National Resilience Day was celebrated in Saint Martin on October 7, 2023, along the Marigot waterfront, at an animation village created on the initiative of the prefecture. The concept of resilience, often invoked in the field of psychology, describes the remarkable ability of an individual or a system to rebuild and regain its original balance following upheavals or crises. In nature, resilience characterizes the ability of an ecosystem to absorb disturbances, to regenerate, and to return to normal and balanced functioning after having suffered a disruptive event. Requested to animate a booth, the AGRNSM presented several of the actions it has carried out following major events – hurricanes, coral bleaching, pollution – to ensure the conservation of the island’s natural heritage. The objective being to fuel public awareness of the interdependence of nature and society on our small island, Julien Chalifour and Vincent Oliva discussed with the public the issues related to these major events, the role of observing the health of habitats and species, the actions of restoration and public awareness aimed at overcoming these incidents. For them, it was about highlighting the fact that a healthy environment guarantees the quality of our living environment and contributes to the safety of the population. Thus, a dense and healthy mangrove significantly attenuates the destructive energy of cyclonic swell and also protects the coastline and its homes.

Faune-Sbsm.Org: The Portal To Defend Biodiversity © Julien Chalifour © Julien Chalifour Ensuring environmental communication, awareness, and education Faune
Faune Sbsm pour partager et découvrir notre biodiversité © Julien Chalifour
Faune Sbsm pour partager et découvrir notre biodiversité © Julien Chalifour

Action PA6 : Raise public awareness about the objectives of the NR and natural heritage

Action PA7 : Continue and develop a participatory science program

On October 3, 2023, the Faune-Antilles.org portal celebrated one year of existence and 20,000 observations on West Indian fauna submitted by nearly 180 observers. This portal, which includes the site faune-sbsm.org (Fauna Saint Barthélemy-Saint Martin) financially supported by the Life BIODIV’OM project and led by the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), aims to consolidate data on West Indian fauna. The goal is twofold: on one hand, to enrich the base of scientific knowledge related to local species and, on the other hand, to inform conservation strategies for increased protection of these vulnerable ecosystems. A promotional video of the local site of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy was produced jointly by LPO France and the Saint Martin Nature Reserve Management Association. This communication tool aims to increase the visibility of faune-sbsm.org and to encourage broader participation from residents and visitors of these two islands. Available on YouTube as well as on the Facebook pages of Life BIODIV’OM and the Saint Martin reserve, this video is a call to action for all nature lovers and defenders of biodiversity.

The AMEs Are Doing Well
Classe AME de 6éme du collège de la Roche gravée de MOHO sur le site de la route de Spring | 6th grade AME class from the Collège de la Roche engraved with MOHO on the Spring orad site
Classe AME de 6éme du collège de la Roche gravée de MOHO sur le site de la route de Spring | 6th grade AME class from the Collège de la Roche engraved with MOHO on the Spring orad site

Action PA5 : Conduct educational interventions in schools

Born in 2012 in the Marquesas archipelago from an idea by elementary school students, the “Educational Marine Area” (AME) initiative has flourished throughout French territory. In Saint Martin, the Nature Reserve embraced this concept in 2018, allowing three classes to take charge of their own marine area. This program, supported by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), promotes an ecological approach and encourages students to get involved in the management and preservation of the marine environment. Thus, students take responsibility for a part of their natural heritage by actively engaging in its protection and management. For example, a CM1 class from Clair Saint-Maximin school studies marine turtles and their nesting sites in the Embouchure bay. The CE1 students from Happy School focus on marine turtles and the threats posed by human activities on the Grand Case beach. The CM2 students from the same school direct their scientific research towards the biodiversity of the coral reefs surrounding Creole Rock. Additionally, a sixth-grade class from the Roche Gravée de Moho college is involved in replanting mangroves near the nursery, on Spring Road.

Optimizing management means

Théo Tondu, New Technical Agent At The Reserve
Mission interservices pour Théo Tondu | Cross-service mission for Théo Tondu
Mission interservices pour Théo Tondu | Cross-service mission for Théo Tondu

Action MS21 : Ensure the recruitment and training of hired agents

Recruited in November 2023, Théo Tondu joined the team of the Saint-Martin natural reserve as a technician, after being selected following a job posting. His connection with the reserve goes back some time: he completed an internship there between February and March 2017 during his studies for a BTS diploma in fishing and management of the marine environment, which he completed successfully. Now 27 years old, Théo actively participates in various activities of the reserve, ranging from environmental education in schools to the monitoring of sea turtle populations, as well as reserve management. He has also participated in a cross-service action with the nautical brigade.

Meetings with Commercial Partners
Rencontre avec les opérateurs © Chris Joe Meeting with the operators
Rencontre avec les opérateurs © Chris Joe Meeting with the operators

Action MS4 : Implement new management or conservation measures related to the protection of natural heritage

On November 13, 2023, the management association of the Saint-Martin natural reserve invited about twenty operators from the French side to a meeting in its premises. The entire reserve staff welcomed these commercial players for an open dialogue on the importance of complying with the current regulations, whose sole purpose is environmental protection. This initiative is part of a similar approach conducted on October 26, where commercial companies operating in the Dutch part of the island were invited to a similar exchange. The objective of these meetings is twofold: to strengthen communication between the reserve and economic operators, and to reaffirm the joint commitment to the preservation of Saint-Martin’s unique environment.

Strengthening The Skills Of The Guards
Formation loi sur l’eau en Guadeloupe © Chris Joe Water law training in Guadeloupe
Formation loi sur l’eau en Guadeloupe © Chris Joe Water law training in Guadeloupe

Action MS1 : Ensure the recruitment and training of hired agents

From November 6 to 10, at the Guadeloupe National Park, guards Christopher Joe and Ashley Daniel participated in a training session on water law and aquatic environments, enhancing their skills in writing official reports when noticing infractions related to the management and protection of aquatic ecosystems.

All First Responders!
Alexina Paya, Aude Berger et une autre participante | Alexina Paya, Aude Berger and another participant
Alexina Paya, Aude Berger et une autre participante | Alexina Paya, Aude Berger and another participant

Action MS15 : Provide technical and legal training for the staff of the NR

Aude Berger, Alexina Paya, and Clément Bonnardel have completed an extensive training in professional first aid, level PSE1 (First Aid in Team level 1). This essential training was provided by the French Association of First Aid of Saint Martin, over an intensive period from September 11 to 15, 2023. It now allows all reserve staff to be qualified as first responders.

Understanding and continual study of the natural heritage

Green monkeys: how to manage their population
Singe vert | Green monkey
Singe vert | Green monkey

Action IP5 : Management actions for invasive alien species

Action PA6 : Implement management actions on invasive alien species or their impacts

Between January and November 2023, the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation initiated the first actions to control the population of green monkeys in Sint Maarten, a pressing ecological issue. By installing 14 traps, 108 of these primates were captured and, following a strict protocol, euthanized by qualified veterinarians. This operation responds to the observation of the uncontrolled increase in the population of these animals, which disrupts the daily life of the inhabitants, threatens crops, and the endemic biodiversity of the island. It is part of the decision of the government of Sint Maarten to mitigate the presence of these animals, with the goal of euthanizing 450 individuals by 2025. The actions were concentrated on private lands, with the full agreement of the concerned owners. The possibility of evolving the regulations concerning this invasive species had been discussed in the prefecture on the French side of the island, following a similar approach. A second meeting was held on August 28, 2023, at the prefecture again, to more broadly address the problem of invasive alien species. The meeting aimed to consolidate a harmonized strategy at the scale of the island. The discussions brought together veterinary officials, state services – health services, DEAL, prefecture – Igor Rembotte, head of the project of the Delegation for the Living Environment at the Collectivity; Verde, manager of the ecosite, as well as Eusebio Richardson, agent of the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation, operator of the regulation in the Dutch part. This consultation led to field visits to Guana Bay and Cole Bay, aimed at assessing the logistical and health challenges. The ambition? To perfect operations, secure the interveners and the community, while considering studies to measure the impact of these regulations on the economy, ecosystem, and public health of Saint Martin. The project is still undergoing financial evaluation. The goal is to refine the technical specifications, determine the total cost of intervention, from capture to the disposal of the carcasses, in order to identify the optimal solution and seek the necessary funding. Nevertheless, the project has elicited mixed reactions and alternatives are still under consideration.

Reinforcing local and regional commitment to the Réserve

Solid Partnership Between The OFB And The AGRNSM
ReCorEA St Martin : protéger les écosystèmes côtiers (financement OFB/ Fond. VEOLIA, Atout France)
ReCorEA St Martin : protéger les écosystèmes côtiers (financement OFB/ Fond. VEOLIA, Atout France)

Action MS36 : Meet and exchange with the managers of the protected natural areas of the Lesser Antilles

On October 6, 2023, the management association of the Saint Martin nature reserve (AGRNSM) received a visit from two eminent representatives of the French Biodiversity Office (OFB): Jean-Michel Zammite, director of overseas territories, and Fabien Barthelat, territorial delegate of the OFB in the Antilles. The two scientists came to promote their funding tools and to discuss their partnership with the manager, particularly through the educational program “Te Me Um” – which includes the acquisition of educational materials and the funding of a 3D printer – as well as the “ReCorEA” project, in favor of the resilience of coral reefs and their associated ecosystems. This local project, led by the AGRNSM, has notably enabled the recruitment of project manager Clément Bonnardel. During this visit, the representatives of the OFB were able to reiterate their commitment to supporting the ongoing collaboration and praised the excellence of the work carried out by the local associative team.

Another aspect of the partnership between the OFB and the management team concerns surveillance. Antonny Grolleau, head of the departmental environmental police service for the OFB, coordinates the regional teams that perform at least twice a year interventions targeting key areas such as hunting, the protection of regulated species, the conservation of natural habitats, and the Water Law. On these occasions, the association provides logistical support to these agents, particularly in terms of information exchange.
Fisheries Conference: No Borders for Fish
Stand animé par l’équipe de gestion lors des Assises de la pêche du banc d’Anguille | Booth animated by the management team during the Anguilla Fisheries Conference
Stand animé par l’équipe de gestion lors des Assises de la pêche du banc d’Anguille | Booth animated by the management team during the Anguilla Fisheries Conference

Action PA8 : Participate in local events

Action CC9 : Ensure the enhancement and dissemination of scientific and technical studies carried out on the RNN

The AGRNSM participated in the first Anguilla Bank fisheries conference, organized on December 12, 2023, at Anse Marcel under the auspices of the prefecture. This international event brought together fishermen and leaders from Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Saint Barthélemy, and Anguilla, as well as scientists, managers of natural areas, and representatives from the islands of Saba, Saint Eustatius, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, Barbuda, and Guadeloupe. The aim was to discuss the necessity of a common and cross-border management of shared fish stocks between islands with different regulations. Each territory had the opportunity to speak and present its own initiatives, both in terms of species conservation and techniques governing fishing, the sale of merchandise, and the import and export of fishery products. The FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices) installed in territorial waters, and thus in foreign waters for some, were a thorny issue on which, by general consensus, it will be necessary to work. The subject calls for better collaboration between fishing professionals, regulatory adaptations, and appropriate control means for sustainable and profitable exploitation of the resource for everyone. The AGRNSM presented the results of the Life BIODIV’OM and studies conducted with financial support from the European Union, the Ministry in charge of the environment, and the French Biodiversity Office (OFB). The study of the colonization of the shallow coastal seabeds of Saint Martin by reef fish post-larvae, as well as that of the fish populations established around the island, particularly the goliath groupers and Nassau groupers, helped to open the debate on the shared management of fish stocks between the islands. The dispersion of these post-larvae by the currents in the Caribbean and the migrations that some species can make during their lives show that there are no borders and that concerted management is essential. The grouper, a migratory fish, a regulator belonging to the top of the food chain, with a long life expectancy and also capable of changing sex depending on its age, is the perfect example.

Virtual Dives In The Reserve
The management association of the Saint Martin nature reserve, GIP One Shark SXM, the Territorial Environment Agency of Saint Barthélemy, and the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation each held a stand intended to inform the public. The AGRNSM presented its projects, among which the Biohut – artificial habitat for aquatic fauna – its application faune-sbsm.org, and invited the most curious to a dive on the most beautiful diving sites of the island, thanks to 360° virtual reality masks. Many participants came to learn about the actions carried out, including the prefect and the president of the Collectivity of Saint Martin.
First Meeting Of The SPAW Protected Areas
Rencontre technique des gestionnaires SPAW à La Romana en 2023 | Technical meeting of SPAW managers in La Romana in 2023
Rencontre technique des gestionnaires SPAW à La Romana en 2023 | Technical meeting of SPAW managers in La Romana in 2023

Action MS39 – Participate in regional, national, and international symposiums

Clément Bonnardel attended the first workshop of the SPAW protected areas network managers in La Romana, Dominican Republic, from October 10 to 12, 2023. Saint Martin, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana responded to the invitation, as well as Sint Maarten, Colombia, Cuba, the United States, Belize, Grenada, Sint Eustatius, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. Bernadette Davis, Vice-President in charge of the environment, represented the Collectivity of Saint Martin, manager of the unclassified lands of the Conservatoire du Littoral, and Sint Maarten was represented by the Nature Foundation. The exchanges and work sessions discussed topics such as the objectives of the network members, addressing the needs of the managers, common issues, or the planning of actions in the short or long term.

28 countries in the Caribbean region have signed the SPAW protocol (Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife) and have committed, in accordance with their own legislation and regulations, to take all necessary measures within their territory to protect, conserve, and sustainably manage areas in need of protection, as well as threatened animal and plant species. In Saint Martin, the national nature reserve, the 12 lagoon ponds, and the Agoa sanctuary for the protection of marine mammals have signed the SPAW protocol.
Annual Update Of The Local Scientific Council
Julien Chalifour, président du CSTPN | Julien Chalifour, president of the CSTPN
Julien Chalifour, président du CSTPN | Julien Chalifour, president of the CSTPN

Action MS36 : Meet and exchange with the managers of protected natural areas of the Lesser Antilles

A meeting of the Territorial Scientific Council for Natural Heritage (CSTPN) took place at the prefecture on November 29, 2023, to review its activity over the past year. The meeting particularly focused on the management strategy of the green monkey population and the annual review of opinions rendered by this group of specialists for the granting of derogations for protected species. It was also an opportunity to conduct a vote.

Julien Chalifour President Of CSTPN
An advisory body created in 2019, composed of 19 specialists appointed for their scientific skills and animated by the prefecture, the CSTPN was until then chaired by Michel Vély, director of veterinary services, who recently retired. Julien Chalifour, head of the scientific department at the reserve and interim vice-president since his departure, was elected president. Océane Beaufort, from the Guadeloupean association Kap Natirel, project manager and coordinator of the Reguar network, was elected vice-president.
Collaboration With Local Decision-Makers At The Heart Of The Debates

Action MS36 : Meet and exchange with the managers of protected natural areas of the Lesser Antilles

Action MS20 : Seek new funding sources

Réserves Naturelles de France (RNF), the association that animates the network of managers of all French natural reserves, invited all its overseas members to a videoconference round table on October 10, 2023. The goal for all these managers was to share their experience in terms of territorial collaboration, whether with municipalities or other forms of territorial collectivities. Julien Chalifour took this opportunity to present the unique situation of the island of Saint Martin. He highlighted the challenges and opportunities related to the island’s small size, its high population density, its tourism-focused economy, and the recent changes in its political status. Ultimately, these exchanges allowed for the exploration of new avenues of exchange and collaboration for better integration of the RNN of Saint Martin within the territorial landscape.

Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Saint-Martin

3 rue Barbuda, Hope Estate- 97 150 Saint-Martin
Tél: 05 90 29 09 72 Fax: 05 90 29 09 74

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Reserve.Naturelle.StMartin

Direction: direction@rnsm.org
Pôle police de la nature et logistique 06 90 57 95 55 reservenat.franck@yahoo.fr
Pôle scientifique 06 90 34 77 10 science@rnsm.org

Partenaires techniques et financiers de la Réserve naturelle

Partenaires techniques et financiers de la Réserve naturelle : Préfecture de Saint-Barthélemy et de Saint-Martin, Direction de l’environnement, de l’aménagement et du logement (DEAL), Collectivité de Saint-Martin, CAR-SPAW, Agence des aires marines protégées, IFRECOR, TE ME UM

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