Leatherback Sea Turtle Spotted on Simpson Bay during Nesting Season

Posted on by travel4scuba

At the beginning of June, the Nature foundation confirmed the nesting activity of a Leatherback Sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) on Simpson Bay Beach. The Foundation received several reports from the public regarding a sea turtle being spotted in the area of Karakter Beach Bar, attempting to nest. Sea turtle nesting season occurs in St. Maarten each year … Continue reading Leatherback Sea Turtle Spotted on Simpson Bay during Nesting Season

Nature Foundation Records Harmful Algal Bloom in the Simpson Bay Lagoon

Posted on by Melanie

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

Caribbean Islands Surrounding St. Maarten Ban Single-Use Plastics, St. Maarten Stays Behind

Posted on by Melanie
littered ditch full of plastic

Nature Foundation St Maarten is again urging parliament to ban single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, straws, cups and cutlery and styrofoam food containers.

Nature Foundation Applauds Businesses Switching to Reusable and Biodegradable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastics

Posted on by Christian
toppers' crew

Recently the well-known bar and restaurant Topper’s switched to using only reusable and biodegradable products instead of environmentally damaging single-use plastics. Nature Foundation’s Project Officer Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern presented the Reduce and Reuse St Maarten project to Staff members of Topper’s, explaining them about the harmful effects of single-use plastics  on our environment, ourselves … Continue reading Nature Foundation Applauds Businesses Switching to Reusable and Biodegradable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastics

Nature Foundation Relocates Endangered Sea Turtle Nest From Great Bay Beach to Simpson Bay Due to Human Pressure

Posted on by Christian

The St. Maarten Nature Foundation was alerted to a Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting on Great Bay Beach early on Friday morning. Upon arrival at the location it was found that the turtle nested in an unsuitable location in the sand on Great Bay beach and it was decided to relocate the nest in … Continue reading Nature Foundation Relocates Endangered Sea Turtle Nest From Great Bay Beach to Simpson Bay Due to Human Pressure

Nature Foundation Applauds Legal Decision to Not Allow Parking on Great Bay Beach  Despite Ongoing Trend of Increase in Parking on Kim Sha Beach

Posted on by Christian

The Sint Maarten Nature Foundation is applauding the court decision last week in which the court found that parking on Great Bay Beach close to the Walter Plantz Square as illegal. Despite the ruling the Foundation is continuing to observe residents and tourist alike both parking and driving on beaches on the island, in particular … Continue reading Nature Foundation Applauds Legal Decision to Not Allow Parking on Great Bay Beach  Despite Ongoing Trend of Increase in Parking on Kim Sha Beach

Hurricane Irma Wreck JabJabs Lives on as Artificial Reef Habitat

Posted on by Christian

Former popular floating bar JabJabs has received a new lease on life as an artificial reef. JabJabs, which was a popular floating bar housed on the 85-foot steel sailing ship SV Nightingale, was sunk during Hurricane Irma and subsequently salvaged after being submerged for three months in the Simpson Bay Lagoon. After the vessel was … Continue reading Hurricane Irma Wreck JabJabs Lives on as Artificial Reef Habitat

Researchers Record Significant Damage to St. Maarten’s Terrestrial Flora and Fauna Due to the Impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria

Posted on by Christian

Hurricanes Irma and Maria have done considerable damage to buildings and infrastructure, but also St. Maarten’s nature has suffered a dramatic blow, researchers Wendy Jesse and Rotem Zilber recently discovered.

***UPDATE***Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Continues to Respond to Diesel Fuel Spill in Simpson Bay Lagoon

Posted on by Christian

The Sint Maarten Nature Foundation has been responding to an ongoing diesel Fuel Spill in the Simpson Bay Lagoon. On Sunday the Foundation was alerted to a large amount of fuel entering the Simpson Bay Lagoon from a channel in Cole Bay close to Kool Baai Villas. It was established that the fuel was diesel … Continue reading ***UPDATE***Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Continues to Respond to Diesel Fuel Spill in Simpson Bay Lagoon

Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Responds to Ongoing Diesel Fuel Spill in Simpson Bay Lagoon

Posted on by Christian

The Sint Maarten Nature Foundation has been responding to an ongoing diesel fuel spill in the Simpson Bay Lagoon. On Sunday the Foundation was alerted to a large amount of fuel entering the Simpson Bay Lagoon from a channel in Cole Bay close to Kool Baai Villas. It was established that the fuel was diesel … Continue reading Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Responds to Ongoing Diesel Fuel Spill in Simpson Bay Lagoon