October 17th 2022

Saint Lucia prioritizes clean oceans

by Herma Demacque, GIS

HON. SHAWN EDWARD CALLS FOR BEHAVIOR CHANGE TO PROTECT MARINE ECOSYSTEMS.

Recent heavy rains in Saint Lucia have emphasized a need for the improved management of marine litter and plastic pollution, the Minister for Sustainable Development, Hon. Shawn Edward, noted recently, adding that the Government of Saint Lucia has taken steps to protect marine ecosystems.

“We have adopted a national ocean policy which has, as one of its outcomes, maintaining and improving the integrity of the marine ecosystem,” he said. “The policy recognizes that pollution including marine litter, plastics, sewage, oil and chemicals affect our transition toward a blue economy and impacts the value of the goods and services provided by the ocean.”

The minister also outlined activities that have been implemented to address marine litter, including that of a Marine Litter Management Action Plan (MLMAP). The plan was developed by the Department of Sustainable Development and the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority with support from the United Nations Environment Program UNEP.

Activities included:

A technical consultation workshop which brought together technical stakeholders who shared their experiences and knowledge to help guide the early phase of this project;

The development of a national source inventory report on plastic pollution;

A high level event at which the findings of the National Source Inventory were presented to leaders, heads and decision makers across all sectors in Saint Lucia.

A national televised debate emphasizing the issue of plastic pollution and ways in which it can he addressed.

The plans also included an underwater clean up in collaboration with the Saint Lucia Divers Association—Anbaglo; and a public awareness campaign to promote the national source inventory or MLMAP.

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