Saint Lucia

Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Saint Lucia.

Created in 1995, the Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA) was designed specifically to cater to the myriad of uses in the area, reduce conflict among users and protect critical marine resources. The Management Area is divided into five zones: marine reserves, fishing priority areas, yacht mooring areas, recreational areas and multiple use areas. The zoned areas were established in an agreement after a
number of consultations with all stakeholders, including governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and users of the areas. A co-management arrangement allows all stakeholders to provide input during potential conflicts and their resolutions. Formal support from the Cabinet of Ministers for the SMMA agreement was received in 1995, and support for the institutional and legal arrangements for the
SMMA was given in 2000. Over the years, the SMMA has benefited
from a number of funding agencies. Most provided the financial
assistance which allowed it to begin. These funding agencies include the Caribbean Conservation Association, ENCORE Project and the French Government. However, the SMMA is currently self-financing, although external funding occasionally allows for the financing of pertinent additional endeavours.

Coastal and marine resources (Chapter IV of the Barbados Programme of Action)

• Reduction of conflicts among users
• An increase in fish biomass within marine reserves
• An increase in fish biodiversity (increased number of fish species
observed per count in annual censuses)
• A self-financing management area
• A management team, which involves continued participation of all stakeholders (Board of Directors and a Technical Advisory Committee)

• Community participation is vital if no-take zones are to be effective. At the outset of the management plan, it is essential to identify and include all the different stakeholders.
• Continuous involvement of the stakeholders allows potential conflicts to be addressed before reaching a critical stage.
• Benefits of marine reserves can increase rapidly if three conditions
are met: no-take zones cover a sufficiently large proportion of the area, no-take zones are interspersed with fishing areas, and good compliance of no-take regulations.

Chief Fisheries Officer
Department of Fisheries
Point Seraphine
Castries
Saint Lucia, West Indies
Tel.: (758) 452-6172
Fax: (758) 452-3853
E-mail: deptfish@slumaffe.org

The Manager
Soufriere Marine Management Area
PO Box 305
Soufriere
Saint Lucia
West Indies
Tel.: (758) 459-5500
Fax: (758) 459-7799
E-mail: smma@candw.lc
Web site: www.smma.org.lc