The National Trust is working towards a sustainable marine ecosystem by improving reef resilience.
The Saint Lucia National Trust and the Department of Fisheries last week hosted a two-day workshop which culminated on Jan. 20.
The workshop aimed to improve reef resilience through public-private partnerships towards a sustainable marine ecosystem.
Sixteen persons were trained in Reef Check Methodology, which helps determine the status of coral reef health.
Reef Check is one of the most widely-utilized reef assessment methodologies due largely to the largesse and reach of the REEF Check Foundation ΜΆ an internationally recognized non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation of coral reef ecosystems.
Coral reef monitoring and conservation has solely been the mandate of the Department of Fisheries, and is conducted on an ad hoc basis due to limited staff to monitor the health of our coral reef systems around the island.
Saint Lucia, which is a tourist destination, boasts of its beautiful sandy beaches and marine life, however, with 90 percent of resorts located along the coast, 75 percent of which include dive facilities, a true and accurate account of the health of the coral reefs is needed to help determine and guide policy decisions to conserve and improve the resilience of our reefs.
"The information gathered from the monitoring will be used to assess the state of reef health as well as to recommend reef restoration and conservation measures to help improve resilience," Mr. Craig Henry, National Trust Program Officer (south), said. "Additionally, the program demonstrates greater partnerships and recognition for the private sector in coral reef management and advocacy.”
The Adopt a Reef Program is funded by The Nature Conservancy through its Reef Resilience Program.