Above: St Maarten Environment Minister Maurice Lake at Mullet Pond (Photo: GSM)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Maarten is in the midst of efforts aimed at having the island’s Mullet Pond protected and recognized under the Ramsar Wetlands Convention, according to Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Maurice Lake.

“The advice for the protection of Mullet Pond has reached its final stages,” Lake said. “I will also have the relevant government department along with stakeholders start the process to protect the remaining ponds of the country.”

Lake said he also would like to see Little Key in the Simpson Bay Lagoon also protected and cleaned up.

“This would be a great opportunity and experience for families to come together to camp-out on the weekend and enjoy nature from a different perspective once the island is cleaned-up and placed under sustainable management,” he said.

The Ramsar Convention, signed in Iran in 1971, is a global commitment to maintain the “ecological character” of their wetlands areas.

“The protection of our natural environment also reflects upon the quality of life of our people and I will see to it that the necessary management structures are put in place that would manage our natural resources in a sustainable manner for generations to come,” Lake said.