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.
The annual review of marine reserves in Guadeloupe (Petit Terre), Saint Barthélemy, and Saint Martin continues on a regular basis. Julien Chalifour and Vincent Oliva went from Saint Martin to Petite Terre from October 18-21, 2021, as invited by the ONF and Ti Té, who manage the site. They then went to Saint Barthélemy on October 25-27, for an identical mission with the staff of the ATE. The annual review for the Réserve in Saint Martin,...+ infos
If exploratory fishing missions, as part of the BIODIV’OM Life project, aim to document and describe the arrival of post-larvae by our shores, the installation in February 2020 of 14 BioHuts, actual huts to protect out coastal biodiversity, add a complementary approach, The huts are also part of a study on the colonization of small coastal areas, as well as the study of the two species of grouper cited. On September 2, a dive took place to...+ infos
Tom Desfossez, a university student in a two-year program for the management and protection of nature at the IGPN in Montpellier, completed an internship from June 28 to August 20 at the Réserve Naturelle. In addition to ongoing missions of the Réserve, he was especially interested in the BIODIV’OM Life project that promotes the conservation of the Nassau and Atlantic goliath grouper. He worked hard during the collection of post-larvae, on...+ infos
As part of the BIODIV’OM Life program, the sixth session for collecting samples of post-larvae took place on October 3-9, 2021, under a new moon, closing out exploratory fishing. The data is being sorted and will reveal whether or not post-larvae for the Nassau or Atlantic goliath grouper were found in the waters of Saint Martin. These results are not totally conclusive, as the arrival of such post-larvae could have been...+ infos
On September 24, 2021, Julien Chalifour met with the local committee of IFRECOR (French Initiative For Coral Reefs) in Saint Barthélemy, wearing two hats; as a scientific expert and as the representative of the local IFRECOR committee in Saint Martin. The aim was to provide an update on the committee’s activities 2021 in Saint Barthélemy—a study on wastewater from the water treatment plant, collaboration with an association working on coral...+ infos
As part of the National Sea Turtle Plan for the conservation
of sea turtles, Aude Berger and Julien Chalifour participated
in training about the beaching of these animals on the shore.
Organized by the ONF and the association, Evasion Tropicale,
the contact for beached turtles in Guadeloupe, this training was
accessible via video conferencing from Saint Martin. It will be
completed in January 2022 by...+ infos
November 30, 2021 officially marked the end of the sea turtle egg-laying season. The Réserve Naturelle sincerely thanks the 50 volunteers who lent a hand to ensure the patrols on the beaches on the French side of the island.
The numbers:
In 2021, the mating of green sea turtles was observed very close to our beaches. For three weeks, several couples were seen in full action by eye witnesses, who were quickly joined by agents of the Réserve. Saint Martin is thus not only a site for egg laying, but also for the mating of sea turtles. The preservation of these animals requires respect and tranquility as well as the maintaining excellent conditions of the essentials needed...+ infos
From August 16-20, 2021, the Réserve Naturelle mobilized both human and nautical resources in collaboration with the association Kap Natirel in Guadeloupe, represented by Océane Beaufort, head of the project and coordinator of the Reguar network, which studies the sharks and rays of the French Antilles. Their goal was to complete an inventory of the species of sharks present in Saint Martin, thanks to financing from the French Office for...+ infos
The Réserve Naturelle and the AGOA sanctuary were asked by the association Métimer to teach nautical professionals about current regulations concerning whale watching in our waters, as the zone is frequently used for reproduction by humpback whales and as a nursery for their calves. A bilingual presentation was organized by AGOA at the Yacht Club of Fort Louis Marina on December 5, in conjunction with Michel Vély, president of the...+ infos
On June 9, 2021, like they do every month, the Réserve recovered the hydrophone submerged since February 2021 at a depth of 15 meters to record the sounds that reverberate in “the world of silence,” most notably the songs of marine mammals, as part of the CARI’MAM project. The data recorded on a memory card is sent to researchers at the University of Montpellier, who use artificial intelligence to learn how to recognize the different species of...+ infos
The birds of Saint Martin are in the spotlight in the 2022 calendar published by the LPO as part of the BIODIV’OM Life project, in collaboration with the Réserve Naturelle. One hundred of these pretty calendars were given to the Réserve’s partners, as well as teachers and partners of BIODIV’OM Life.+ infos
Requisitioned by the prosecutor and at the request of the research section of the gendarmerie, the Réserve Naturelle is authorized to report infringements of rules concerning protected species and milieux, especially such species as sea turtles and Turk’s Head cactus, on the beach in Orient Bay. These infringements to the environmental code, as reported by agents of the Réserve, were committed during the...+ infos
Action SP2 - Environmental Police Activities
Police Activity From June 1 through December 31, 2021, there were 97 controls done on land: 88 of which were in
...+ infos
On October 27, 28, and 29, 2021, the Réserve played its role in promoting environmental awareness by stepping up to the plate for the Nautical Club of Saint Martin. This association organized three days for the “discovery of fresh-air activities,” which took place on the small island of Pinel, for kids aged seven to 14, from disadvantaged families. Part of the national strategy for the fight against poverty, this event allowed 300 kids from Sandy...+ infos
For the 2021-2022 school year, the pedagogical service of the Réserve Naturelle has selected subjects in keeping with the scientific service for its in-school activities, for which the two services regularly collaborate. The main subject is that of exotic invasive species, both vegetal and animal, and their impact on biodiversity and ecosystems, and in a larger sense the evolution of life on the planet. Information about these exotic invasive species that have been introduced to Saint Martin...+ infos
On November 16, 2021, the Réserve Naturelle had a stand at the Fête de la Science (Science Fair), at the Clair Saint-Maximin elementary school in French Quarter, where two classes have run an educative marine zone since 2018. The anatomical sculptures of marine animals captured the attention of these students, but it was the virtual reality headsets for underwater diving that really hit it out of the park. Planned for the morning, the event lasted throughout the day, so that the students—as...+ infos
Raphaël Dorville, a ninth grader at the French Quarter high school who had been a student in the first class for the educative marine zones in 2016—a CM1 class at the Clair Saint-Maximin school— spontaneously asked to do a discovery internship at the Réserve Naturelle, January 24-28, 2022. A demand that was very well received by the Réserve as well as by Jessica Sabas, her former teacher. The internship helps students discover the working world, share the daily tasks done by professionals,...+ infos
As part of the eleventh call for the funding of initiatives to promote biodiversity in Overseas France, launched in April 2021 by the OFB (French Biodiversity Office) and its partner Te Me Um, two projects presented by the Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin were selected.
The workbooks created by the Réserve Naturelle in 2020 were a big hit with young students, and 200 additional copies will be reprinted thanks to 500 euros donated by Skyepharma. The 20 pages in these notebooks outline the elements of the Réserve Naturelle and are intended for fourth and fifth grade classes, in order to educate the kids about the environment and give them an awareness of the management and conservation of the biodiversity of Saint Martin.+ infos
At the request of Compagnons Bâtisseurs, the Réserve’s environmental education and awareness service organized two sessions aimed at building awareness amongst the population of Saint Martin, explaining the role and the importance of the Réserve Naturelle and the protection of the island’s ecosystems. Running for two hours, the first session took place in Sandy Ground and the subject matter detailed the ecosystems of Saint Martin and sea...+ infos
At the request of the luxury hotel, La Samanna, the Réserve Naturelle will go on excursions with clients who want to learn more about the natural heritage of the island. The first excursion took place on December 21, 2021, with a boat tour around the small island of Tintamarre. Julien Chalifour and Vincent Oliva taught the visitors about various activities for the protection of the local biodiversity, especially sea...+ infos
In 2021, AGOA—The Sanctuary for the Protection of Marine Mammals—financed new sculptures for the pedagogical service of the Réserve, who put these animals to good use during their awareness campaigns. A gray dolphin, a sperm whale, an orca, a pilot whale, a juvenile humpback whale, and a Risso’s dolphin have joined the humpback whale, the grouper, and the parrot fish sculptures previously offered by AGOA, as well as the tropicbird, the large...+ infos
The Réserve Naturelle has signed a new partnership agreement with EDF, which resulted in the purchase of a Kia Picanto for the environmental education and awareness service. This vehicle is greatly appreciated by the staff as it can be used to transport pedagogical materials, such as the sculptures of marine animals. These are used at schools, as well as at open houses, conferences, and other events where the goal is to raise public awareness about...+ infos
Obligatory Certification Renewal For The Réserve team
On December 8, Aude Berger, Julien Chalifour, and Vincent Oliva were able to renew their Certificat d’Aptitude à l’Hyperbarie (CAH) during a professional training program in Guadeloupe. This renewal is obligatory for all professional underwater interventions. It allows the staff of the Réserve to maintain moorings, as well as do scientific studies of the marine milieu. Without this certificate, the Réserve Naturelle would have to...+ infos
Anne, Clémence, Elsa, Emma, Marie, and Pauline, fellow scouts and Guides of France from Mont-Saint-Aignan, close to Rouen, were welcomed by the Réserve Naturelle, August 5-17, 2021. Aged 19 and 20, these young women volunteered with a lot of energy, motivation, and good humor to help the management team. They primarily participated in exploratory nocturnal fishing with the BIODIV’OM Life project, and helped with the triage of post-larvae. They patrolled...+ infos
The Récréafish study, coordinated by the IFREMER (Research Institute For The Utilization Of The Sea) on behalf of the OFB and managed locally by the Réserve Naturelle, was launched this past summer in Saint Martin and in March 2021 in Saint Barthélemy. A total of 13 non-professional fishermen in Saint Martin and 42 in Saint Barthélemy, who regularly fish from their boats or on the shore, have promised to alert the Réserve when...+ infos
To better understand the history of tsunamis and what causes them: that was the goal of the scientific research led by the BRGM (Bureau of Geological and Mining Research) at the Etang aux Poissons, a protected natural site, from June 23-August 13, 2021. Hosted by the Réserve Naturelle as part of the CARESSE 21 paleoseismology mission, scientists studied the layers of sediment, via sonic seismic prospection with four core samples, in order to...+ infos
On November 9, 2021, the scientific department participated via video conference in the annual technical committee meeting of the National Sea Turtle Plan that took place in Guadeloupe—they did not attend due to the pandemic. The committee, coordinated by the ONF, brought together all of the active organizations that are part of the plan in Guadeloupe and Saint Martin, with the Réserve as the local representative in Saint Martin. This...+ infos
Organized every four years by the IUCN, the World Conservation Congress is one of the most important events in support of biodiversity. On September 3-11, 2021 in Marseille, 13,000 organizations and 160 nations participated. Saint Martin was represented by Nicolas Maslach, le director of the Réserve Naturelle, with Pascal Alix Laborde, president of the territorial council’s environmental commission, and Lola Perez, assistant...+ infos
On November 15-17, 2021, the Réserve Naturelle of Saint-Martin participated in the first technical BIODIV’OM Life seminar held on Reunion Island, in the Indian Ocean. Thirty participants, all involved in BIODIV’OM Life, worked on two major themes: Important knowledge for the conservation of endemic species; and the fight against exotic invasive species. Aude Berger, director of the BIODIV’OM Life program for the conservation of the Nassau and...+ infos
Directeur et Conservateur de la Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Saint-Martin, assermenté.
Tel : 0690 38 77 71
Responsable du pôle police de la nature et logistique, assermenté. Tel : 0690 57 95 55
Responsable du pôle scientifique, assermenté
Tel : 0690 34 77 10
Responsable du Pôle Education à l’environnement, assermenté.
Tel :0690 53 59 01
Garde animateur et technique, assermenté
Garde animateur et technique,
Chef de projet LIFE BIODIV'OM - Pôle scientifique .
Lot 11 et 13 Rue Barbuda, Hope Estate, 97150 Saint Martin
Gestion : +59 0690 889 909
Police : +59 0690 579 555
Science : +59 0690 347 710
Education : +59 0690 53 59 01
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