Recolonize ports and marinas
Published on 22/04/2023
Categories: Commercial Port
Artificial nurseries are installed in port areas to recolonize coastal sea beds and compensate for environmental impacts.
For a year now, the Nature Reserve Management Association has been leading a unique project to recolonize and study small coastal seabeds through the installation of artificial nurseries in three port areas of Saint-Martin. As the project shows initial results, it appears to be a tangible way for port managers to compensate for the impacts of their activities on the natural environment.
Few people know that the fish that populate our small coastal seabeds have undergone a great odyssey before arriving in Saint-Martin. Fish larvae are carried by ocean currents and only 5% of them survive and reach their destination, finding refuge in coral reefs, seagrass beds, or sometimes, in ports and marinas.
« The number of fish individuals increases from an average of 2 to 52. »
For a year now, the Nature Reserve Management Association has been experimenting with a new system in partnership with the Galisbay port, Fort Louis marina, and Ance Marcel marina: biohuts. These patented artificial nurseries, developed by a French company, aim to restore and maintain local marine fauna in developed areas that have been impacted by human activity. "The goal is also to better understand the populations that inhabit our small reef bottoms," explains Aude Berger, project leader at the scientific department of the Nature Reserve, who is notably leading the Life Biodiv'om project. Each nursery consists of a assembly of intertwined lambis shells, whose cavities serve as refuge for juvenile fish. These shells are placed in metal cages with a mesh that protects the habitat from predators. A total of 40 nurseries have been installed in the three port areas, "under the pontoons and on the walls of the docks. We are also studying control zones without nurseries to compare the populations," says Maël Andrieux, a master's student in aquatic ecosystem dynamics, in charge of implementing and monitoring the project.
For the counting part, Julien Chalifour, head of the scientific department, and Aude Berger put on their diving suits to carry out the monitoring on site. They then report their data to Maël Andrieux, who is responsible for analyzing them. Thus, the first results of the study seem significant. 'For Marina Fort Louis, over the period from July 2022 to March 2023, we observe an increase in the number of species of fish from 3 to 11 species, which means a more diversified and richer community.' The project manager and intern continues, 'the number of fish individuals averages from 2 to 52 and measures between 3 and 12 cm,' which confirms that the nurseries are fulfilling their role as shelters for juvenile populations in full development and allow populations to settle on these sites. Although these figures are encouraging, they do not constitute an exhaustive inventory of all the fauna present in port areas. When a port area carries out an expansion project, such as the installation of a new unloading dock or pontoons, impacts on natural environments exist. The managers of these areas seem to be well aware of this. That's why Aude Berger notes 'a favorable reception of artificial nurseries for the moment.' However, she warns, 'the establishments will have to take over the financing of these devices,' which are currently funded by the France Relance plan of the Ministry of the Environment and supported by Europe. Lisa Barrot, director of Marina Fort Louis, confirms the enthusiasm around the project, co-carried by the Saint-Martin port facility, which also manages the Galisbay port. 'Since 2021, we have been pursuing an environmentally friendly approach on several fronts, including waste management, energy and water conservation, and biodiversity conservation.' Marina Fort-Louis also wishes to develop an awareness and environmental education component and will offer in the coming months, 'models and informative visual supports produced in partnership with the Nature Reserve to raise awareness among port and marina users.' The momentum seems to be well underway.
Article by François Huriaux published in Le Pelican on April 23 2023.
More information:
Few people know that the fish that populate our small coastal seabeds have undergone a great odyssey before arriving in Saint-Martin. Fish larvae are carried by ocean currents and only 5% of them survive and reach their destination, finding refuge in coral reefs, seagrass beds, or sometimes, in ports and marinas.
« The number of fish individuals increases from an average of 2 to 52. »
For a year now, the Nature Reserve Management Association has been experimenting with a new system in partnership with the Galisbay port, Fort Louis marina, and Ance Marcel marina: biohuts. These patented artificial nurseries, developed by a French company, aim to restore and maintain local marine fauna in developed areas that have been impacted by human activity. "The goal is also to better understand the populations that inhabit our small reef bottoms," explains Aude Berger, project leader at the scientific department of the Nature Reserve, who is notably leading the Life Biodiv'om project. Each nursery consists of a assembly of intertwined lambis shells, whose cavities serve as refuge for juvenile fish. These shells are placed in metal cages with a mesh that protects the habitat from predators. A total of 40 nurseries have been installed in the three port areas, "under the pontoons and on the walls of the docks. We are also studying control zones without nurseries to compare the populations," says Maël Andrieux, a master's student in aquatic ecosystem dynamics, in charge of implementing and monitoring the project.
Ecological compensation and biodiversity preservation.
For the counting part, Julien Chalifour, head of the scientific department, and Aude Berger put on their diving suits to carry out the monitoring on site. They then report their data to Maël Andrieux, who is responsible for analyzing them. Thus, the first results of the study seem significant. 'For Marina Fort Louis, over the period from July 2022 to March 2023, we observe an increase in the number of species of fish from 3 to 11 species, which means a more diversified and richer community.' The project manager and intern continues, 'the number of fish individuals averages from 2 to 52 and measures between 3 and 12 cm,' which confirms that the nurseries are fulfilling their role as shelters for juvenile populations in full development and allow populations to settle on these sites. Although these figures are encouraging, they do not constitute an exhaustive inventory of all the fauna present in port areas. When a port area carries out an expansion project, such as the installation of a new unloading dock or pontoons, impacts on natural environments exist. The managers of these areas seem to be well aware of this. That's why Aude Berger notes 'a favorable reception of artificial nurseries for the moment.' However, she warns, 'the establishments will have to take over the financing of these devices,' which are currently funded by the France Relance plan of the Ministry of the Environment and supported by Europe. Lisa Barrot, director of Marina Fort Louis, confirms the enthusiasm around the project, co-carried by the Saint-Martin port facility, which also manages the Galisbay port. 'Since 2021, we have been pursuing an environmentally friendly approach on several fronts, including waste management, energy and water conservation, and biodiversity conservation.' Marina Fort-Louis also wishes to develop an awareness and environmental education component and will offer in the coming months, 'models and informative visual supports produced in partnership with the Nature Reserve to raise awareness among port and marina users.' The momentum seems to be well underway.
Article by François Huriaux published in Le Pelican on April 23 2023.
More information: