Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

The national flower of Dominica, bwa kwaib (Sabinea carinalis) is endemic to the island. There are two endemic parrot species, the Amazona imperialis and Amazona arausiaca [ ] 94 The Soufriere-Scottshead Marine Reserve Day The Soufriere-Scottshead Marine Reserve (SSMR) is an expanse of the marine waters on the south of the island of Dominica and was designated a Marine Reserve in 1998. It contains a unique marine ecosystem, including the adjacent fringing coastline, and features some of the island’s most remarkable coral reef systems, warm underwater sulphur vents, abrupt un- derwater drop-offs, ideal locations for schooling migrating coastal pelagic fish and cetacean species. This makes the site a focal point for recreation activi- ties as well as being heavily favoured by the immediate surrounding communi- ties as a traditional area of fishing, food security and income generation. The protection status granted to this marine area and adjacent fring- ing coastline was thus an attempt to avoid conflicts between traditional users, in particular the fishermen, and new entrants in the water-sports sector of the tourism industry. It was developed to give protection to the biodiversity therein, as well as to establish zones within that marine space for designated sustainable marine related activities, allaying any possibility of the tourism activities depriving the traditional users’ access to the resource. In order to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity protec- tion and celebrate the existence of the Marine Reserve, the Fisheries Division and the Local Area Manage- ment Authority of the SSMR teamed up with local businesses in the area, together with the Dominica Water Sports Association, to host schools from across the island each year to observe SSMR Day. This event allows for the promotion and appreciation of various com- ponents of the reserve, notably by having the school children interact with the reserve’s various features. Most importantly, this day serves to educate participants on the ration- ale and importance of setting up a marine reserve in the quest to protect and manage biodiversity. A keenly contested quiz on SSMR matters among the visiting schools is an integral part of that day’s activities. This has become a staple event on the calendar of all schools on the island and has been ongoing since 1992. T he Commonwealth of Dominica occupies a central location along the archipelago of the Eastern Caribbean. It is the largest of the Windward Islands grouping, with an area of approximately 750 km² and an estimated population of 71,000. Volcanic in origin, with a series of complex mountain ranges, Dominica is characterized by very rugged and steep terrain. 65 per cent of its land area is covered by natural vegetation ranging from dry scrub woodland on the west coast to lush, tropical rainforest in the interior, interspersed with rivers, waterfalls and lakes. Because of these attributes, Dominica has been dubbed the “Nature Island of the Caribbean”. Rosalie Bay Resort, Dominica Rajvinder singh on Unsplash Dominica