Residents and visitors are invited to join “Shark and Ray Discovery Day,” a Shark Week 2026 community event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of sharks and rays and highlighting the local efforts underway to protect these vital marine species.
The event is organized by the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten and will take place on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Simpson Bay Fish Market. Shark and Ray Discovery Day brings together local conservation organizations, scientific researchers, local fishers, and community groups with an interest in safeguarding Sint Maarten’s marine environment.
A highlight of the day will be free lagoon boat tours departing every 30 minutes. These tours offer participants a unique perspective on the lagoon ecosystem and its connection to the island’s biodiversity. Safety regulations will apply, and as space on each tour is limited, advance registration is strongly encouraged via WhatsApp message at +1 (721) 581-6365 or email to info@naturefoundationsxm.org. Event activities are weather-dependent.
Throughout the event, attendees will have the opportunity to visit educational booths, meet conservation professionals, learn about ongoing research and protection initiatives, and discover the important role sharks and rays play in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems.
Designed for all ages, the event will feature interactive activities, games, and opportunities to win prizes while learning about the fascinating species that inhabit Caribbean waters. Visitors are welcome to attend at any time during the event and explore the exhibits at their own pace.
“Sharks and rays are among the ocean’s most important species, helping to maintain balanced and healthy marine ecosystems,” said a representative of the Nature Foundation. “However, many populations around the world face increasing pressures from overfishing, habitat degradation, and other human activities.”
The organizers encourage families, students, residents, and visitors alike to attend and take part in this celebration of marine life and conservation during Shark Week.
The initiative is part of the MENAA (Marine Elasmobranch Nursery Area Advocacy) project at the Nature Foundation. MENAA seeks to form a foundation for the success of Sint Maarten’s marine and coastal area, particularly for sharks and rays. Research shows local waters serve as a nursery for species like tiger sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and spotted eagle rays. These animals are crucial for reef health and fishery stability but remain threatened by poaching and ghost nets, despite local protections. Learn more at https://naturefoundationsxm.org/menaa.
MENAA is funded by BESTLIFE2030 (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Territories of European Overseas), a granting mechanism focusing on preserving and restoring biodiversity in the EU’s outermost regions (ORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), which host rich biodiversity but also face significant climate change threats.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
🪸 The 2025 Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) 2025 report has just been published!
GCRMN brings together more than 21 million observations from over 36,000 reef sites worldwide to understand how coral reefs are changing.
🤿 At the Nature Foundation, we have been monitoring 7 coral reef sites inside and outside the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area since 2016, following the GCRMN monitoring protocol.
Long-term monitoring allows us to see how our local reefs are changing over time, understand the pressures affecting them, and evaluate whether conservation and management efforts are making a difference.
🏝 But what does the report say on Sint Maarten and the Easter Caribbean?
The results are concerning.
🪸 Hard coral cover in the Eastern Caribbean has declined from 15.0% to 7.6% when comparing the 1982–2009 reference period with 2020–2024.
🌿 At the same time, macroalgae increased from 7.6% to 18.0%. More algae can make it harder for young corals to establish and for damaged reefs to recover.
🌡 The ocean is getting warmer. Across the Caribbean, sea surface temperatures over coral reefs increased by about 1.03°C between 1985 and 2025. The region experienced particularly severe heat stress during the 2023–2024 phase of the fourth global coral bleaching event.
🌀 Hurricanes, coral diseases, pollution, coastal development and fishing pressures can add to the stress, making it harder for reefs to recover between major disturbances.
🫣 So, should we lose hope?
No!
The report also shows that coral reefs can recover when conditions allow enough time between disturbances. Reducing local pressures—such as pollution and sedimentation—can help reefs become more resilient and improve their ability to recover from heat stress.
💙 Here in Sint Maarten, this makes the work we do to protect our reefs, improve water quality, monitor changes and reduce local pressures more important than ever.
✈️ As part of our Keep the Reef Off the Runway campaign, we are excited to celebrate the installation of a new awareness sign in the arrival area of Princess Juliana International Airport!
🐚 From the moment visitors step onto the island, we want them to know that our beaches are not souvenir shops.
🌊 Shells, corals and other marine life belong in our natural environment. Many of the species confiscated at the airport are also protected by law, making it even more important that visitors know what they can — and cannot — take home.
By placing this message in the arrival area, we hope to encourage visitors to make the right choice before they even head to the beach: enjoy our beautiful natural treasures, photograph them, admire them — but leave them where they belong.
💙 This sign is more than just a sign. It is a first welcome, a reminder, and a small step toward protecting Sint Maarten`s beaches and reefs for everyone to enjoy.
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Keep the Reef Off the Runway is a conservation initiative led by the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten to combat the illegal removal, trade, and export of marine species and natural materials from the island. Funded by the CITES Secretariat with significant local in-kind support, the project strengthens Sint Maarten’s capacity to monitor, manage, and reduce wildlife trafficking linked to tourism.
🌿 We are hiring! The Nature Foundation is looking for a Research and Monitoring Officer to join our team!
This hands-on position will lead research and monitoring activities across Sint Maarten’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems, from coral reefs, seagrass and mangroves to birds and other terrestrial species. The role combines fieldwork, data analysis, technical oversight, and collaboration with our conservation team, interns, partners, and government.
📊 Most importantly, you’ll help turn scientific data into meaningful conservation action and support the development of conservation strategies and protected area management plans.
📍 Location: Sint Maarten
💼 Full-time | On-site
📅 12-month contract, with potential for renewal
If you’re ready to get your hands dirty, dive into fieldwork, work with data, and contribute to protecting Sint Maarten’s incredible ecosystems, we’d love to hear from you!
Find the job listing at https://naturefoundationsxm.org/about/work-with-us or at the link in our bio.
📩 Apply by 22 September 2026 by sending your CV and cover letter to director@naturefoundationsxm.org, CC info@naturefoundationsxm.org. Please use “Research and Monitoring Officer Application” as the subject line.
🌊 We’re proud to share that our Director, Leslie Hickerson, is part of the Wavemakers program — a global community of ocean conservationists working to restore our ocean and protect the places that matter most.
🌎 Wavemakers is a two-year initiative by Blue Marine Foundation (@bluemarinefoundation), in partnership with Rituals and Edinburgh Ocean Leaders, bringing together people from around the world who are committed to driving meaningful action for ocean conservation. The program is working towards the ambitious goal of protecting 30% of our ocean by 2030.
🏝 For a small island like Sint Maarten, being represented in a global program like Wavemakers is particularly meaningful. Our islands may be small in size, but we are part of a much bigger ocean story — and having our local conservation work represented on a global stage helps highlight the importance of protecting island marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
As part of the program, Leslie recently shared more about her work, her journey in ocean conservation, and the importance of protecting our marine environment here in Sint Maarten.
You can have a look at her interview to learn more about her work and her role as a Wavemaker: https://shorturl.at/xj7iW
💙 We’re really happy and proud to see Sint Maarten represented in this global community of ocean changemakers
#Wavemakers #30x30 #MPAs
Amazing work! 💚
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Thank you and gratitude for all your work. We couldn't have done it without your help and guidance. Now we are ready to continue efforts next time we organize a clean up! #cupecoybeach
A very special thanks to all of the volunteers who selflessly dedicated their time to assist us, we absolutely could not have done it without them! 🏝️💪🏝️ Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming for everyone, but once we got going with all hands on deck, it was a remarkable improvement and well worth the effort!
This is crazy the sjantity of garbage ! Thanky you so much for what you do. Sad that gouvernment not doing the necessary to keep the island clean. Thank you thank you
