Tintamarre Island, Saint-Martin, France
Conservation and enhancement of historical and biological heritage
THE PROJECT: Tintamarre Island Restoration
LOCATION: Tintamarre Island, Saint-Martin, France
THE WORK: Managing a natural shelter for iguanas and skinks.
SPECIES: Lesser Antilles Iguana and the Anguilla Bank Skink
COMMUNITY: Tintamarre is an ideal pilot site for establishing and sharing know-how in the regional conservation of threatened reptiles by offering the reception and training of external teams.
TIMELINE: Holistic restoration by 20XX
About Tintamarre Island
Tintamarre is an uninhabited island of 1.2km² located 3km away from the main island of Saint-Martin (French overseas collectivity). This coral plateau is home to more than 80 plant species, including 30 rare to threatened species, and around 20 endemic species that can't be found outside the Antilles. The island is recognized as a nesting site for Brown Noddies, two species of tropicbirds, and three species of sea turtles. Today, the French State is the owner of the 82-meter-wide coastal belt, which forms an integral part of the Saint-Martin National Nature Reserve.
Tintamarre would be an ideal sanctuary for the conservation of emblematic species such as sea turtles, seabirds, sharks, and—especially important to the region—the Lesser Antilles Iguana and the Anguilla Bank Skink, which are endemic, protected species. Currently, these species are threatened by the presence of introduced invasive species that are pushing them out of their unique ecological niches. Without intervention, Tintamarre's unique species could be lost forever.
IOCC partners see Tintamarre as an ideal pilot site to build regional knowledge about the conservation of endangered reptiles. Through the reception and training of external teams, valorization and dissemination of the experience acquired, and initiation of a pilot program for the in-situ production of genetic diversity of Lesser Antilles Iguana, Tintamarre can be a beacon of hope in the Caribbean for endangered reptiles and the communities that care about them.
Voices from the community
“Tintamarre is a unique place for Saint-Martin and, at a regional level, has a low level of human disturbance on its fauna and flora. As such, it is poised for immense benefits from the conservation of its invaluable historical and living heritage. This project and place are also an opportunity for Saint-Martin to increase its skills and play a leading role in conservation.”
— Anne Karine Fleming, Vice-President of the Association de Gestion de la Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin (AGNRSM)
Project Partners & Funders
• Island Conservation
• French Office for Biodiversity
• French State
• Saint-Martin Nature Reserve Management Association (AGRNSM)
• Flora and Fauna
• Re:wild
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