Aquaculture: towards a territorial plan specific to Saint-Martin

This public policy aims to structure the sector and develop self-sufficiency and optimization of seafood products.

To do this, 7 aspiring engineering students from the International School of Agro-Development (ISTOM) based in Angers were asked by the Collectivité at the start of 2024 to work on developing the plan.

A first preliminary study phase of 6 months took place in April and May.

Then, the students went to meet professionals in the sector (fishermen, Nature Reserve, Coastal Conservatory, Water and Sanitation Establishment, Port Establishment, etc.), in order to collect their testimonies and better understand their needs.

They also met with restaurateurs and local food distribution channels and will be able to submit their work in mid-July.

The Collectivité wishes to develop aquaculture in co-construction with fishermen and maritime stakeholders in the area, in order to arrive at a concerted project that truly meets local expectations.

Indeed, as Vice-President Alain Richardson and Elie Touzé recalled: "The objective of the Collectivité is to promote the players and products of the sea and to create jobs in the sector."

The final report will be returned to the Collectivité in mid-July and then, once validated by the institutions, will be subject to a broad public consultation so that all users can express their views on this territorial aquaculture project.

The Collectivité would like to thank the 7 students and their project managers who fully invested in the success of this project study, which, let us remember, is the sine qua non condition for validating their year of study.