Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for St. Kitts and Nevis - WIDECAST

CEP Technical Report No. 17
Similarly, the groundwork has been laid for a Marine Research and Recreation Area in
Nevis. As part of a four-month survey of the marine habitats of Nevis, conducted in 1990 under
the aegis of the NHCS, depth and substrate type were recorded every 10 m along transects
perpendicular to the shore line and extending 50-200 m offshore. Baseline data were collected in
this way for Pinneys Beach, Cades Bay, Hurricane Beach, Newcastle Beach, and Almond
Gardens in Long Haul Bay. The short-term objectives of the Nevis marine survey were to (1)
map fringing reefs, sea grass, sand deposits, and marine life communities, (2) assess the general
health of the marine ecosystem of Nevis, and (3) identify potential marine reserve sites. The
reserves would be established primarily for species conservation and replenishment, as opposed
to for-profit tourism (D. Robinson, pers. comm., 1992). The long-term objectives were to (1)
provide data to aid in formulating coastal management and fisheries management strategies and
monitoring schemes and (2) enable the NHCS to make recommendations for comprehensive
coastal zone management policies. With increasing boat traffic, the data will be particularly
useful in identifying anchorages that will not damage coral or sea grass ecosystems. The reserve
will include both inshore and offshore waters and the protection of sea turtles and their habitats
will be a priority. The Final Report (Robinson, 1991) suggests that a comprehensive "Handbook
for Development", such as was produced for the Southeast Peninsula Land Development and
Conservation Board, be developed for use in Nevis.
It is a recommendation of this Recovery Action Plan that marine parks and/or reserves be
established in both St. Kitts and Nevis to safeguard healthy marine ecosystems, provide the
necessary living requirements for depleted species, such as sea turtles and some species of
commercial fish, and to promote tourism.
4.121 Involve local coastal zone authorities
In order for management planning to be effective, the support of local coastal zone
authorities will be needed. At the present time, three separate entities are responsible for
development planning (including coastal zone development) in St. Kitts. The Southeast Peninsula
Land Development and Conservation Board is responsible for the area south of Timothy
Hill, Frigate Bay Development Corporation is responsible for the area north of Timothy Hill to
the Conaree Hills area, and the Planning Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and
Development is responsible for greater St. Kitts, although there is some confusion over the
authority of land belonging to the former sugar estates and St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing
Corporation. These various planning agencies are responsible for sustaining the environmental
quality of St. Kitts and overseeing development of the island. In Nevis, the Planning Unit is
responsible for development strategies, both economic and physical planning.
In addition, the National Conservation and Environment Protection Act (1987) gives the
Minister of Development, in consultation with the Conservation Commission, authority to (a)
prepare and implement coastal zone management plans to regulate development and activity in a
coastal zone and to make necessary Regulations, (b) formulate and execute "schemes of work"
for coast conservation within the coastal zone, and (c) conduct research and undertake
environmental impact assessments for any development activity in collaboration with other
departments, agencies, and institutions for the purpose of coast conservation. The Minister may
delegate certain responsibilities to others, including NHCS, SCHS or the Brimstone Hill Fortress
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