Many resident or migratory species found in or around St. Maarten, as well as its most critical ecosystems (including mangroves and coral reefs), are protected by a variety of local, regional, and international laws.

The Nature Foundation is responsible for enforcing such protections, educating the general public about the need for the laws, and handling paperwork necessary for the import or export of certain species. Please contact us with any questions about St. Maarten’s environmental legal protections.

Local St. Maarten legislationA set of various local laws that bolster the regional global protections and establish ordinances for environmental management.Learn more
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)An international agreement that prohibits or regulates the trade and transportation of certain protected species across borders.Learn more
Protocol for Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW)A regional agreement that helps nations establish specially protected coastal and marine areas to protect at-risk wildlife biodiversity.Learn more
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)An intergovernmental treaty that extends conservation protections to migratory avian, terrestrial, and aquatic fauna throughout their range.Learn more
Ramsar ConventionAn intergovernmental treaty that supports national action and international cooperation for the conservation and use of wetlands.Learn more