What can you do?

What part can you play in helping us conserve and sustainably manage our valuable marine and coastal resources?

• Avoid touching the corals and other marine life when swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving. Even the lightest touch of a fin or a camera, or sand stirred up from the bottom can cause damage.
• Leave all plants, animals, fish, and shells in the sea, whether they are living or not. An empty shell can soon be home to a crab or small fish.
• Observe the fish while snorkeling or scuba diving, but don’t feed them. Feeding destroys their natural feeding habits.
• Avoid disturbing mangroves or sea grass beds. They are critical parts of the marine environment.
• Stay at least 100 meters from a blue and white Alpha flag, or a red and white diver’s flag on a float or a boat in the water.
• Look out for swimmers, snorkelers, and SCUBA divers when boating.
• Tie up only to mooring buoys or anchor in designated sandy areas so that your anchor does not damage marine life.
• Do not collect or buy coral jewelry or other coral products. It is illegal to sell, take, buy, or possess corals in St. Lucia.
• Do not buy jewelry or other products made of turtle shells. A moratorium on the capture and sale of turtles and their products was declared in St. Lucia on March 1st, 1996.
• Limit your use of plastic and Styrofoam containers.
• Dispose all wastes properly whether on land or at sea.
• Tell others about the SMMA and set an example of proper behavior.