This EPIC (public establishment), created in 2013, is responsible for managing and protecting the island's biodiversity. It is an essential tool for regional planning, conservation and management of the island's natural heritage. The Environment Code, specific to the island of Saint Barthélemy, defines the regulations governing biodiversity on the territory.
The Agence Territoriale de l'Environnement (ATE) manages, protects and monitors the Marine Park. In addition to these protected areas, the ATE also ensures the preservation of species protected under the Saint-Barthélemy Environmental Code throughout the territory.
Preservation also involves knowledge. Data collection and scientific monitoring of species and natural environments enable us to improve our knowledge in order to prevent the erosion of biodiversity, improve and monitor the effectiveness of our actions and guide our decision-making in terms of management and protection measures. Last but not least, our agents are regularly called upon to safeguard native fauna.
In addition to these protected areas, the ATE also ensures the preservation of species protected under Saint-Barthélemy's Environmental Code throughout the territory.
The Agence Territoriale de l'Environnement manages, protects and monitors the Nature Reserve.
Management of marine resources in territorial waters has been entrusted to the Territorial Environment Agency.
To ensure sustainable management of recreational and professional fishing, the fishing regulations specific to the waters of Saint-Barthélemy aim to establish sustainable exploitation of our marine resources. By respecting minimum catch sizes, fishing periods and protection zones, we promote the renewal of stocks and the sustainability of fishing activities. Please note that a fishing licence is required for all fishing activities, with the exception of shore angling. Free of charge, it can be obtained from our office.
The management of fishing activities is based on a number of actions. First of all drawing up and updating management rules and regulations. Then, data collection (catch declarations by professional fishermen) and stock assessment (scientific monitoring) and finally, enforcement and compliance with fishing regulations by the Environmental Police.
One position is dedicated to communication, awareness-raising and environmental education. A program common to all the island's schools is designed to raise awareness and encourage pupils to take action on targeted themes adapted to their level throughout their school career.
Our agents also work with businesses and tourist establishments. From time to time, we organize events and conferences to raise awareness among the general public.
This awareness-raising enables us to educate local residents and monitor the presence of invasive exotic species (species imported by man to the island and which threaten local species). This high level of participation enables the agents to define actions according to the characteristics of the species identified (introduced, naturalized, potentially invasive or considered invasive).
In addition to raising awareness, compliance with environmental regulations is ensured by our agents, who are commissioned and sworn to enforce fishing regulations, the Marine Park and certain articles of the Environmental Code (protected species).
One of ATE's missions is to issue opinions on applications for land-clearing permits. In natural zones and on plots in building zones still planted with vegetation, ATE agents visit the site, carry out an inventory, geolocate protected species and provide elected representatives with an opinion enabling them to grant or refuse authorization, the aim being to promote native flora as much as possible.
If you have any questions or wish to report pollution, landfill or other issues, please contact the relevant departments:
