Over the years, many of Saint Lucia’s mangrove wetlands have been destroyed as a result of deforestation, physical development, reclamation and solid waste disposal. Despite education efforts, mangrove wetlands are still perceived as mosquito infested areas that should be cleared.

A wetland is an area that is regularly saturated by surface water or groundwater and typically has vegetation that is adapted for life in wet soil conditions. Mangrove wetlands, or “mang”, as they are locally called, are coastal wetlands found in tropical and subtropical regions, including Saint Lucia. The trees that form mangrove wetlands are called mangroves and are unique, salt tolerant plants that tend to grow along sheltered coastal areas.

Over the years, many of Saint Lucia’s mangrove wetlands have been destroyed as a result of deforestation, physical development, reclamation and solid waste disposal. Despite education efforts, mangrove wetlands are still perceived as mosquito infested areas that should be cleared. However, contrary to this belief, mangrove wetlands play a vital role in maintaining the health of nearshore fisheries, such as the lobster and pot fisheries, and nearshore habitats such as coral reefs.

Mangrove wetlands regulate the amount of some pollutants being transported from watersheds to coastal waters. The roots of mangroves form matted entanglements which act as filters, straining silt-laden runoff that flows from the land to coastal waters, thus preventing high levels of sediment from reaching the nearshore. Further, mangrove trees have the ability to absorb some amounts of several chemical pollutants from the environment. Mangrove wetlands also serve as nursery and breeding areas for a number of marine organisms and protect the shoreline from wave action.

Currently, there are fourteen (14) remaining major mangrove wetlands in Saint Lucia, many of which have been declared as marine reserves under the Fisheries Act Number 10 of 1984. In this regard, the public is reminded that, in the absence of permission from the Chief Fisheries Officer, the following activities are prohibited in mangrove marine reserves:

taking or destroying any flora (plants) and fauna (animals)

dredging, discharging or depositing waste or any other polluting matter

constructing or erecting any buildings or other structures

Contravention of the Fisheries Act No. 10 of 1984 is subject to a fine of $5000 for each offence.