Dominica Marine Reserves - Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve (SSMR) Day

SSMR Day

SSMR Day 2005: Saturday, June 25th
SSMR Day was a success once again, with more than 750 school children participating in the day's events. Photos...

2004: June 26th was SSMR Day. See photos of the event here.

SSMR day is the culmination of a lot of time and effort on the part of the Fisheries Division and the Manager of SSMR.

For almost two months before, Fisheries Division staff visit as many schools on the island as manpower permits , giving talks and video presentations on the Marine environment, a sensitization process now in its 10th year.

Topics covered include but are not limited to, 'Why the SSMR was formed' (the first Fisheries Driven Reserve in the Caribbean), to 'What is a Coral Polyp', to information about 'Coral Reefs as an important Marine Ecosystem Resource to be managed and maintained for future generations to enjoy'.

Local sponsors are approached for help in cash or donations for refreshments and prizes, the results are always very positive. SSMR day being 'for the kids', and something that affects all of us one way or another living on an island paradise.

Andrew Magloire, Chief Fisheries Officer with kids awaiting their quiz.

A major component of the day's activities is the school quiz- a marine related activity and elimination competition, the grand prize is a computer for the winning school donated by generous local benefactor.

SSMR Day 2003

This year's winning school was Paix Bouche and over 200 questions were used to determine the winner.

Other planned activities for the record attendance of close to 700 children from 27 schools, included a boat ride in the reserve, hearing talks from the SSMR manager and local dive instructors/ guides as to the underwater topography and the highlights of each dive site. Some children were able to get onto a glass bottom floating platform and look beneath the surface at different types of vertebrate and invertebrate life. A Fisheries Officer and a marine warden were on deck to explain what they were viewing.

The slide presentation this year was made by Rowan Byrne, the Project Manager for RoSTI, the Rosalie Sea Turtle Initiative; on sea turtles, conservation and his tagging and monitoring program underway.

The management of the SSMR wishes to thank the staff of the Fisheries Division and members of the Dominica Water Sports Association, for all their hard work and ensuring the events go as smoothly as planned, that the children all had a safe, exciting and enjoyable day, leaving with a better understanding of the marine environment.

SSMR Day 2004

SSMR Day 2004 was hallmarked by crowds of school children arriving from all points of Dominica to experience their very own Marine Reserve.

SSMR Wardens took the children on boat rides across the Marine Reserve.

The ever-popular Quiz was said to be especially difficult this year. A first-time participating school, Pioneer Prep, fielded the winning team.

Boat Rides

The Quiz

The Winners: Emma & Sabrina

SSMR Day 2005



Woodford Hill: The Wiiners!