Abstract

Marine ecosystems are important to the sustainable management of the fisheries sector in Saint Lucia. In this study the physical status of, use and threats to mangroves, sea grasses and coral reefs were assessed utilizing inputs from key stakeholders and field surveys. Assessment methods were designed to enable participation by fisherfolk and ease of replication. The assessment was undertaken using two approaches. The first was through consultations with fisherfolk at eleven fish landing sites. Fisherfolk were asked to describe the economic and social activities taking place at marine ecosystems close to their fishing community and classify the physical state or levels of degradation as being severe (> 80% damage and loss), high (60 – 80% damage and loss), moderate (35 – 60% damage and loss), partial (20 -35 % damage and loss) or low (< 20% damage and loss). Fisherfolk were also asked to identify potential threats to the ecosystems and to indicate their perception of severity by assigning a score of 0 – 3 with 0 indicating “no threat”, 1 representing “minimum threat”, 2 representing “medium threat” with noticeable but not a severe, irreversible impact. A score of 3 indicated a significant threat, with a high level of negative impact. Since only one score could be assigned to each threat per ecosystem, the discussions were lengthy often leading to negotiations before scores were finalized. In other cases, there was almost instant and unanimous agreement on the score to be assigned. The second approach used was via field visits to the various marine ecosystems on the island. At each site photographs were taken to document biological diversity, status of physical structures, presence of sargassum, water turbidity, levels of deforestation, solid waste pollution, sedimentation, fishing activities and presence of invasive species.

PDF Preview