Last updated: September 2024
The Martinican Marine Natural Park (MMNP) was established in 2018 to protect key marine habitats, including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and open waters. These areas are home to important species like sea turtles, dolphins, and tropical fish. The park’s conservation efforts focus on addressing threats from human activities such as pollution and overfishing. It also collaborates with ocean-related industries, such as tourism and fishing, by recommending, funding, or conducting research aimed at promoting more sustainable practices within the MMNP. To support its work, the park operates a growing fleet of boats that raise public awareness, resolve conflicts, and enforce the protection of designated areas. The MMNP spans an area of 47,340 km², extending from Martinique's coast to the boundary of the French Exclusive Economic Zone. The park's management board, which includes diverse stakeholders, must be consulted for advice on development activities that impact the marine environment. Their goal is to balance competing interests within the region. The park receives funding from the French Office for Biodiversity (OBF) to carry out initiatives that protect the marine environment, promote sustainability, and raise public awareness. Notable efforts include creating or restoring habitats for species such as sea turtles and sea urchins, managing invasive species like sargassum algae, restoring coral reefs, and training resource users such as whale-watching companies and diving clubs. Other initiatives include reducing plastic pollution through clean-ups, supporting sustainable fishing practices (e.g., artisanal coastal fishing), installing eco-friendly moorings, funding Marine Educational Areas (MEAs), and sponsoring cultural events that promote marine conservation (Ref 1; 2; 3).
Meeting of the board/platform
Théo Granier for OFB, from : RAPPORT D’ACTIVITÉ DU PARC NATUREL MARIN DE MARTINIQUE 2023 (Ref 2).
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Coastlines
- Other
Key challenges
- Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14)
- Marine and coastal biodiversity protection
- Marine and coastal research and/or education
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Preservation of natural heritage
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Inclusive governance
- Combatting crime and corruption
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
- Sense of community and community engagement
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Tourism support
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Invasive alien species
- Poor water quality
- Resource Scarcity and Competition
- Human-wildlife conflicts
- Over-exploitation of natural resources (water resources, overgrazing, fisheries, mangroves, fore products)
Key priorities
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community
Focus
Coastal landscape management or protection, Coastal ecosystems restoration and maintenance (mangroves, dunes, saltplains, underwater meadows), Coral reef restoration, Improving coastal resilience, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems), Protection of natural ecosystems, Habitat restoration, Habitat conservation, Marine and coastal conservation initiatives, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs, Scientific research of biodiversity or ecosystems, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Creation of new, innovative governance and management approaches, Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities, Introduction of NBS governance practices involving marginalised groups, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Clearing out invasive alien species and allow natural regeneration maintaining the functionality the ecosystem, Habitat mapping, restoration and monitoring-focused management, Species-specific monitoring and conservation programs
Project objectives
1. Protect and restore marine and coastal biodiversity by actively intervening in critical ecosystems, including removal of invasive alien species
2. Promote the protection of marine heritage by raising public awareness and embedding marine stewardship into Martinican culture.
3. Enhance understanding of Martinican aquatic biodiversity and maritime activities. This involves contributing to knowledge about species, ecosystems, and human impacts (e.g., pollution, ecosystem imbalances).
4. Preserve the natural heritage on the island and the rich biodiversity as the island is one of 34 biodiversity hotspots on the planet.
5. Bring together diverse stakeholders (including local fishermen) to address competing interests, including resolving conflicts between humans and wildlife, and reduce the environmental impact of economic sectors like fishing and tourism through targeted interventions but also ensuring their sustainability.
(Ref. 1, 2, 3, 6)
Implementation activities
2013-2017: feasibility study outlining the park responsibilities, setting the focus on activities that increase knowledge and protect the ocean; giving opinions on marine development (Ref 1, 311).
2018-2019: allocating 688.000€ to support 5 MEAs and 11 interventions, e.g.: spreading awareness of stressors during events, two week operation to collect waste at sea, a mobile sea turtle bus to raise awareness, organising a scientific mission with the AGOA Sanctuary, training staff on beached turtles, setting up a fishing commission (Ref 6).
2020: allocating 334.000€ for 9 MEA and 8 interventions, e.g: study on turtle nesting locations, pilot project to limit light pollution around nesting sites, creating a guide for intervening on coral reefs, study of fish stocks over the last 5-10 years, study on net-fishing, creating an ecological anchoring station (Ref 7).
2021: 434 500€ for 3 MEA and 8 interventions e.g.: creating an operation service for raising awareness on the coast, study of the white sea urchin's life cycle, sargasse algae study (Ref 8).
2022: 15 interventions for approximately €500.000 e.g.: study on the "reserve effect" in contaminated zones, study of discharges from fish farms, and almost €900,000 dedicated to the removal of abandonned boats (Ref 9).
2023: 587.000€ for 7 MEA and 15 interventions e.g.: implementation of actions to protect sea turtles, nature based solutions tailored to coral reefs, algae intervention (Ref 2).
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore native species
- Restore valued species
- Restore endangered species
- Clear and control invasive alien species
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Young people and children
- Other
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- National government
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Deliberative decision-making processes (e.g., consensus building, deliberative polling)
- Taskforce groups
- Dissemination of information and education
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
During the preliminary stages leading to the creation of the Martinican Marine Natural Park (MMNP), the Martinique scientific and associative community was involved in documenting the project's knowledge base. From the Martinique Regional Strategic Analysis (ASRM) conducted between 2009 and 2010, to the consultation mission launched in late 2013, two phases of public consultation took place. The park was established by the Marine Protected Areas Agency (AAMP) and the Ministry of Ecology in 2017 (Ref 1). In 2018, a 53-member governing body was appointed, representing the state, local authorities, professionals, leisure users, environmental groups, and experts (Ref 2, 4). This body meets twice a year for a 5-year term to draft a 15-year management plan. The French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) supports the park with staff, technical resources, and an annual budget (Ref 3). The local community also participates in educational and awareness-raising activities (Ref 1).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(-The legal basis used to create the MMNP relies on the national law of April 14, 2006. This law introduces provisions to facilitate the creation of marine natural parks, aiming to safeguard marine ecosystems and biodiversity. The MMNP is based on the 7 other Marine Natural Parks established before its creation (Ref 1; 3).)
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
Support from transitional governance actors, Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
- Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
- Private sector (businesses, financial institution)
- Other
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Water management and blue areas
- Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems
- Achieved enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems
- Expected enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased protection of threatened species
- Expected increased protection of threatened species
Economic impacts
- Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
- Achieved increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Achieved increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Achieved increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
- Achieved increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Social justice and conflicts, Lack of social acceptance
References
1.
Mazurek, H., Arreghini, L., Cochet, C., Daniel, J., Gros-Désormeaux, j. R., Pereira, D. (2019). La création du parc naturel marin de Martinique : entre concertation et fragmentation. Accessed on August 15, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Parc Naturel Marin de Martinique (2024). RAPPORT D’ACTIVITÉ DU PARC NATUREL MARIN DE MARTINIQUE 2023. Accessed on August 15, 2024, [Source link];
3.
Agence Française pour la Biodiversité (2018). Parc naturel marin de Martinique. Dossier de presse Accessed on August 15, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Parc Naturel Marin Martinique (n.d.). Le conseil de gestion. Accessed on August 15, 2024, [Source link];
5.
République Française (2017). Décret n° 2017-784 du 5 mai 2017 portant création du parc naturel marin de Martinique. Paris: Légifrance, Accessed on August 15, 2024,;
6.
Parc Natural Marin Martinique (2019). Rapport d’activités 2018 - 2019. Parc Natural Marin Martinique, Accessed on September 6, 2024, [Source link];
7.
Parc Naturel Marin Martinique (2021). Rapport d’activités 2020. Parc Naturel Marin Martinique, Accessed on August 6, 2024, [Source link];
8.
Parc Naturel Marin Martinique (2022). Rapport d'activités 2021. Parc Naturel Marin Martinique, Accessed on September 6, 2024, [Source link];
9.
Parc Naturel Marin Martinique (2023). Rapport d'activités 2022. Parc Naturel Marin Martinique, Accessed on September 6, 2024, [Source link];
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.