Nature Foundation Records Harmful Algal Bloom in the Simpson Bay Lagoon

The Sint Maarten Nature Foundation over the past week has been monitoring the spread and extent of a Harmful Algal Bloom currently ongoing in the Cole Bay Corner section of the Simpson Bay Lagoon. Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of algae—simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater—grow out of control while … Continue reading Nature Foundation Records Harmful Algal Bloom in the Simpson Bay Lagoon

Nature Foundation Relaunches ‘Fragments of Recovery” Coral Reef Restoration Program

The Sint Maarten Nature Foundation has started to populate its first coral nursery structures again after most of the previous coral nurseries were damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The Foundation has slowly started to implement its ‘Fragments of Recovery” coral restoration projects with installing the first two coral reef nurseries in an … Continue reading Nature Foundation Relaunches ‘Fragments of Recovery” Coral Reef Restoration Program

Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Scientifically Assess Coral Reef Impacts Post Hurricanes Irma and Maria Using GCRMN Standards

The Sint Maarten Nature Foundation has started to scientifically monitor the state of the country’s coral reefs after the passing of hurricanes Irma and Maria in September. With financial support made available by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance the Foundation has started to research the state of the Country’s coral using the GCRMN method; “Reef … Continue reading Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Scientifically Assess Coral Reef Impacts Post Hurricanes Irma and Maria Using GCRMN Standards

Nature Foundation Records Worrisome Red Algae Outbreak on St Maarten Reefs

The St. Maarten Nature Foundation has been continuously monitoring the reefs for their health and to assess the underwater damage caused by Hurricane Irma. During the reef surveys held at the beginning of November, several shallower dive sites started to show a worrisome outbreak of red algae species. Especially on reefs shallower than 35 feet … Continue reading Nature Foundation Records Worrisome Red Algae Outbreak on St Maarten Reefs

Nature Foundation Assesses Marine Park and Dive Sites After Irma

Due to Hurricane Irma causing significant damage to underwater life because of storm surge and strong water motion, the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation conducted initial Marine Park and Dive Site assessment to determine the level of impact underwater. Initial marine assessment was carried out from the 28th of September until the 6th of October 2017.

EU-funded Project to replant coral on local reefs starts

COLE BAY--Nature Foundation started to populate its first coral nursery structures last week in an attempt to repopulate depleted reefs around the island with rare coral species. The first Staghorn corals (Acropora cervicornis) have been transplanted to the coral nursery station on the dive site close to Simpson Bay called “the Bridge.” The two nursery … Continue reading EU-funded Project to replant coral on local reefs starts