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Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve / Dominica

SoufriereScotts_Map_small
640 2014 CATS C2 (C UW Wiedemeyer) 163

In Dominica, the CATS Programme supports the sustainable development of the Soufriere/Scotts Head Marine Reserve (SSMR). Particular emphasis is put on the re-consolidation of the operational capacities of the Local Area Management Authority (LAMA), which are closely connected to the overall sustainable financial management of the SSMR.

The SSMR is located in the parish of St. Mark, in the south of the island of the Commonwealth of Dominica, at 15° 13’ 48” N, 61° 22’ 60” W (Wood, 2007). The Reserve is approximately 6–7 square kilometres and is characterised by adjacent fringing coastline, coral reef systems, warm underwater sulphur vents, and abrupt underwater drop-offs. It is a site for schooling migrating coastal pelagic fish such as jacks, sardines and mackerels, and cetacean species such as spinner dolphins and sperm whales. The site is also used by over ten diving and watersports companies.

The SSMR stretches from Soufriere, Scotts Head and up to Anse Bateau, near the village of Point Michel, encompassing the immediate offshore waters and sub strata, as well as the adjacent coasts, which is managed in such a way so as to achieve the long term conservation, economic and cultural values of the area. The bay is a submerged extinct volcano crater plummeting to great depths and is characterized by an array of geologic features making it one of the best dive spot on earth. The SSMR was legally established under the Fisheries Act, Chapter 61: 60 Act 11 of 1987 and the Statutory Rules and Order No. 17 of 1998 for the avoidance of user conflict between fishermen and other emerging uses of the sanctuary. The Local Area Management Authority (LAMA), which is the dedicated management entity of the SSMR, was created under the same Act of 1998.

The communities of Scotts Head, Soufriere and Galion do not partake in agricultural activity like communities in other parts of Dominica, due to the soil type and topography of the area. There are no factories, hotels to generate economic activity in those communities and the main source of income and local livelihood is fishing. Given the socio-economic reliance on fisheries, the communities around the SSMR are very much dependent upon the ecological intactness of their coastal and marine environment. The area is as well rather vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as extreme hydrometeriological phenomena like hurricanes, storm surges, tsunamis and landslides.

Land based sources of pollution and resources-use conflicts, which in the past triggered the formation of the SSMR, have re-emerged in more recent times, due to the growth in tourism and expansion of unplanned coastal development in the area. The multiplicity of users in the area dictates the need for the creation of managed zones that allow for ecosystem sustainability, while preserving and where possible enhancing the livelihoods of persons in the fishing and tourism industries.

Champagne Reef Dominica Boardwalk

In addition to supporting the general consolidation of managerial capacities with LAMA, the CATS Programme assists the SSMR with the following:

  • Revision and Amendment of the SSMR Management Plan and SSMR Operations Plan
  • Development and Implementation of the SSMR Communication Strategy
  • Procurement of a 4-wheel Work Vehicle
  • Repairs, Overhaul and Engine Replacement of SSMR Patrol Boat, VHF Equipment, Emergency and Safety Equipment
  • Financial Support to A/V & Communication Equipment and IT Infrastructure
  • National SSMR Workshops
  • Staff Capacity Building through Regional MMA Network Participation / Cross Visiting
  • Review and Strategic Action Planning for Changes and Amendments of the National Legal and Organisational Framework for Sustainable Management of Marine Reserves in Dominica
  • Drafting and Amending Priority Legislation for the Sustainable Management of Marine Reserves in Dominica
  • SSMR Business Development and Sustainable Financial Management
  • Assessment and installation of Fish-Aggregating Devices (FAD) to reduce Fishing Pressure on Marine Resources
  • Assessment and Design of a Community-managed Yacht Mooring Area inside the SSMR
  • Emergency and safety equipment (boat): handheld GPS, First Aid, Oxygen
  • Repairs of the Coastal Boardwalk at Champagne Reef
  • Renovations at the SSMR Interpretation Centre
  • Development and Publishing of SSMR Media Products for Marketing and Awareness Raising
  • Alumn Stream Area Liquid and Solid Waste Awareness Project
  • SSMR / LAMA / Staff Capacity Building and Training

Our CATS2 National Project Officer in Dominica is Mr Dilian Bellot.

Related posts and updates on recent activities:
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    • 7/5/2017 3:08:56 PM
    CATS interventions in Saint Vincent Kingstown watershed and marine ecosystem. CATS interventions in Saint Lucia Soufriere watershed and marine ecosystem. CATS interventions in Dominica Soufriere watershed and marine ecosystem. CATS interventions in Grenada Beausejour-Molinaire watershed and marine ecosystem. CATS interventions in St. Kitts and Nevis.  
  • CATS adoption of the Soufriere Primary School as a
    • 5/5/2017 7:12:47 AM
    The Soufriere Primary School was on Wednesday April 26, 2017, officially adopted by the Caribbean Aqua- Terrestrial Solutions (CATS) and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) as a reef guardian school. This school  will become the lead  primary institution for championing environmental education in Dominica. CATS aims to strengthen its partnership with the school  and develop capacity to execute a wide range of  projects that will positively impact the  environment. This collaboration also ai...
    • 6/2/2015 9:36:44 PM
    Underwater Transect Analysis Training CATS2 February - April 2014The aim of this succession of five CATS2-supported National REEF Check Training and Certification Courses was to build capacity in underwater monitoring of coral reefs in five (5) Marine Managed Areas (MMA) in Dominica (DOM), Grenada (GDA), Saint Kitts and Nevis (SKN), Saint Lucia (SLU), and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). CATS2 and its partner institutions in the countries realised and acknowledged that improved susta...
    • 6/2/2015 6:24:33 PM
    ... what a title National Policy Conferences on the Strategic Action Plans for the Improvement of the National Legal and Organisational Frameworks (SAP-LOF) for the Sustainable Management of Marine Managed Areas In short: National SAP-LOF Conferences. GDA SAP-LOF Conference Opening Saint Kitts and Nevis - 14th April 2015Dominica - 30th April 20157th May 2015 - GrenadaSaint Lucia - 12th May 2015Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - 19th May 2015As a crucial step in the process towards developin...
    • 6/2/2015 5:00:46 PM
    16-21 June 2014 CATS 2 Workshop Participants from MMA all over the CARICOM Region The successful workshop initiated the preparation of the MMA Management Plans, the cornerstone of sustainable financial management and an important milestone in the operational plans of each country MMA. CATS 2 Workshop on Sustainable Financial Management of MMAs The workshop was attended by 35 participants from the MMAs in the 5 countries and partner organisations closely involved marine resource managem...
Useful Resources
FileDescriptionDate AddedFile Size
CATS 2 REPORT FOR SSMR_4_6_2017
'Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve' Day 2016, Soufriere Dominica
Camille David/GIZ/2017
July 6, 2017 6:54 AM0 KB
CATS 2 SSMM Management Plan
The Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Managed Area - Management Plan 2015
Nigel Lawrence, Camille David/CATS/2015
May 4, 2017 6:36 AM0 KB
CATS 2 SSMMA Legal and Organizational Framework
Legal and Organizational Framework for the Management of the Soufrière Scotts Head Marine Managed Area - Dominica
Camille David/CATS/2015
May 4, 2017 6:40 AM0 KB
CATS 2 SSMR CSP Dominica
Communication Strategy and Plan for the Soufrière Scott's Head Marine Reserve SSMR Dominica
Ayodele Andrew/Ayeola George/2014
May 4, 2017 6:32 AM0 KB
Map 1a _ SSMR Boundaries comparison
Comparison of SSMR Boundaries
GIZ/GOPA/2014
August 8, 2014 9:24 AM0 KB
Map 1b _SSMR Zoning comparison
Comparison of SSMR Zoning
GIZ/GOPA/2014
August 8, 2014 9:18 AM0 KB
Map 2_Main marine ecosystems _natural resources
SSMR - Main marine ecosystems / natural resources
GIZ/GOPA/2014
August 8, 2014 9:26 AM0 KB
Map 3 _Main land and marine features infrastructure
SSMR - Main land and marine features infrastructure
GIZ/GOPA/2014
August 8, 2014 9:28 AM0 KB
Map 4 _ Intensity of use in the dive sites
SSMR - Intensity of use in the dive sites
GIZ/GOPA/2014
August 8, 2014 9:30 AM0 KB
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