Five local fishers complete training as Nature Foundation strengthens fisheries support

GREAT BAY--The Nature Foundation St. Maarten is strengthening its support for the island’s fishing industry through training programs, equipment assistance, fishery monitoring and collaboration with local fishers, as part of ongoing efforts to protect marine resources while improving opportunities for those who depend on fishing for their livelihoods.

Following the launch of its fisheries incentive program in 2025, the Foundation has continued expanding its activities, with five local fishers completing its latest workshop series in August 2026.

The participants, who practice different fishing techniques, will receive equipment of their choosing to support safer and more sustainable fishing operations. The available equipment includes boat pumps, fishfinders and boat winches.

The workshops addressed local marine biodiversity, threats to marine ecosystems and the challenges facing St. Maarten’s fishing industry. Participants also worked with the Foundation to explore collaborative projects, document the island’s fishing history and develop a clearer understanding of the local artisanal fishing sector.

The Foundation has also introduced an incentivized pilot fishery monitoring program involving graduates from its 2025 and 2026 training sessions.

Through the initiative, information is being collected on fish species, weight, length, fishing equipment, catch effort and interactions with sharks and rays.

Vendors at the Simpson Bay Fish Market have also received training to assist Foundation staff as Fishery Monitoring Officers.

The collected information is intended to help establish a clearer picture of the condition of local fish populations, identify changes in fishing activity and support recommendations aimed at protecting marine resources without undermining the livelihoods of local fishers.

“I’ve always let the Nature Foundation know how much I appreciate being part of this program, especially the workshops and the fish monitoring activities,” said program graduate Kevin Jacob. “It has been a great experience and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be involved and learn more through the program.”

The Foundation has also invested in educational resources at the Simpson Bay Fish Market, including signage identifying commercially harvested and protected marine species.

Multilingual information materials explaining fisheries and marine protection policies have been made available, while specially designed 3D-printed measuring gauges for lobster and conch have been distributed free of charge to fishers and vendors.

These resources were developed in consultation with market vendors and fishers to improve awareness of existing regulations and help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.

Sharon Halley, a vendor at the Simpson Bay Fish Market, welcomed the assistance provided by the Foundation and its Senior Conservation Advisor, Sabrine Brismeur.

“We have dealt mainly with [Senior Conservation Advisor] Sabrine, and she has provided us with many important artifacts that have been educational for us as well as visitors to our island,” Halley stated.

“Overall, I can say the material and educational content provided to us has been extremely beneficial. It is always a pleasure working with them.”

In September, the Foundation collaborated with the St. Maarten Entrepreneurship Development Center (SEDC) to deliver an Introduction to Sustainable Fishing Level 1 program through the Advanced Education Program.

B r i s m e u r delivered a two-night lecture to 20 current and prospective fishers, while experienced trap fisherman Lee Lake conducted a subsequent practical session with technical support from the Foundation.

The organization also participated in the regional Dutch Caribbean Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Association conference hosted on St. Maarten in May, delivering a presentation and organizing a tour for participants.

Another area of involvement concerns three Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) donated earlier this year by the Government of Curaçao to the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT).

The Foundation has provided advice on the management of these devices, which are anchored offshore to attract migratory fish species such as tuna and mahi-mahi.

By providing fishers with alternative fishing opportunities offshore, the devices could help reduce fishing pressure on reef fish populations, which are already experiencing environmental challenges.

The Foundation said its fisheries activities have been financially supported through the Marine Elasmobranch Nursery Area Advocacy (MENAA) project, funded by BESTLIFE2030, a biodiversity conservation funding mechanism supported by the European Union.

The project supports biodiversity protection and restoration in European overseas territories and regions, where marine ecosystems face growing threats from climate change and other environmental pressures.

“Our ongoing work with the fisheries sector has been unbelievably rewarding,” the Nature Foundation stated. “Though there is still a lot of work to do, we are enthusiastic about our progress so far, and we’re looking forward to a future of much collaboration.”

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