Progress report for
Conserving Marine Biodiversity in Saint. Kitts and Nevis
Achievement at a glance
The project is making good progress to protect terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The Nevis Island Administration made a Cabinet decision to declare the Nevis Peak National Park and Camps Rivers Watershed Area (3,250 ha). Booby Island Nature Reserve (300 ha) will come into effect when the National Environmental Management Bill is enacted (expected early 2019). This Bill is still being scrutinized by the Ministry of Legal Affairs. Sandy Point, The Narrows and Keys (Total area: 11,693 ha) are on track for the area of marine ecosystems in the Federation under official protection, they will be declared as Conservation Zones within the St. Kitts and Nevis Marine Management Area. The project assisted with the revision of the National Conservation Environment Management Bill (NCEMB), which includes the legal authority to be established and PA visitor / user fees system. A capacity needs assessment was conducted and a training modules developed to increase local capacity for protected areas management. A total of 35 (12 females and 23 males) participants were engaged in interactive lectures and field visits. Support was received from the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network, St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard, Department of Information Technology and the St. Kitts Ministry of Tourism. Through the marine ecological and biodiversity assessment the main stakeholder consultations have been completed and fieldwork executed. 28 persons received certificates in Protected Areas Management after a 9-day training session conducted by Global Parks/Conservation Council of Nations. Areas of training included: Building partnerships and networking; conflict and dispute resolution, community/stakeholder engagement; participatory planning. Protected Areas staff are participating in ecological monitoring with the consultant firm Envision Mapping.Challenges faced in implementation
1. The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is not in agreement with the formation of statutory bodies until their financial stability is ensured. No current financing mechanism for protected areas causes continued reliance on government funding. 2. Need to systemize and digitize information on federal environmental, flora, fauna, habitat, geographical information system and natural resources related data. 3. The process for enacting new legislation in St. Kitts and Nevis is slow and unpredictable. This affects the establishment of a protected areas institutional structure and other parts of the project in need of legislative support.Beneficiaries
Government agencies: Ministry of Sustainable Development (MSD), Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources (MAMR), Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (MJLA), Water Services Department, Nevis Island Administration (NIA) and Nevis Department of Physical Planning, Natural Resources and the Environment (DPPNRE). Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Private sector, local communities living at existing and planned protected areas: .e.g. small businesses that utilize the countrys natural resources for their livelihoods, such as farmers, taxi/tour operators, dive operators, beach bar owners, water sports companies. Statutory Bodies: The Chamber of Industry and Commerce will disseminate information to its members and the private sector more generally, as well as the general public.