Research

Nature Foundation St Maarten has spearheaded a number of projects over the years and is also presently active in various activities that help to promote environmental awareness in the community and conserve our fragile marine life. Some of the projects were done with the support of other environmental groups. Future projects and activities will be posted on our site and eventually added to the list.

Keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities as they become available!

Save Our Sharks

The Nature Foundation works on shark conservation through the Save Our Sharks project from the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. The project aims to create safe havens for sharks in Dutch Caribbean waters. The Foundation focuses on the protection of the St. Maarten shark populations through research, communication and education.

Monitoring

We keep close tabs on a few stable environments around the island and monitor if the community deteriorates or flourishes. Some of these, such as the seagrass, are of essential value to the ocean and the sea life in it. Others are less important, such as the lionfish infestation, but they are good indicator that…

Shark Conservation

The practice of intentionally fishing and harming of sharks has been forbidden since October 12th 2011, when the Ministry of Economic Affairs banned the practice of intentionally poaching sharks in the territorial waters of St. Maarten.

Water Quality Testing

The St. Maarten Nature Foundation tests water quality at eight sites on the island. Tests are carried out in order to determine the quality of water for bathing (at swimming beaches) and for general water quality at various bodies of water throughout the island. Tests are out in order to determine levels of water pollution and…

Save Our Sharks Project

The project aims to create safe havens for sharks in Dutch Caribbean waters. The Foundation focuses on the protection of the St. Maarten shark populations by performing scientific research, communicating with politicians and fishermen and educating the public about sharks.