Using Socio-economic Data to Inform Strategies to Mitigate Impacts of Planned Development within the Pitons Management Area (PMA) and Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA), St. Lucia Research Paper

The Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA) and Pitons Management Area (PMA) are a Marine Management Area 
(MMA) and Environmental Protection Area (EPA), respectively, both situated on the southwest coast of St. Lucia. The SMMA was 
legally declared in 1995 and is approximately 11km long, extending to a depth of 75m. It is dominated by nearshore coral reef 
plateaus that rapidly drop off to deep depths. The PMA was awarded World Heritage Status in 2004. It extends over 29.09 km2 
and 
includes the Pitons, the town of Soufriere, nearby coral reefs, sulphur springs and drive-in volcano. The marine zone of the PMA 
overlaps part of the SMMA. The town of Soufriere, adjacent to both the SMMA and PMA, is considered to be the tourism capital of 
St. Lucia. As such there is potential for development of the area as tourism has grown significantly over the past 10 years. With a 
number of physical developments by residents and others currently being planned, both the SMMA and PMA are threatened by 
coastal development. Therefore through a sub-grant from the CERMES-implemented, Socio-economic Monitoring by Caribbean 
Challenge MPA Managers project (CC SocMon), the SMMA and PMA conducted a socio-economic assessment to determine 
perceived threats of planned development within the areas; determine the level and extent of use of the areas by residents and other 
users and to identify potential management solutions to address impacts identified. The data will be used to inform strategies to 
mitigate socio-economic impacts of such development within the SMMA and PMA

Areas of interest:  St. Lucia 

Year:2012