The municipality of Lamentin has won a tender for projects aimed at protecting mangroves and reducing the man-made supply of fresh water to an industrial area.
The only town in Martinique to have been selected, Le Lamentin has the particularity of having a mangrove that covers ⅓ of its territory.
This project complements the other projects underway at Le Lamentin. It is carried out in collaboration with the help of volunteers such as the municipal team or the employees of the companies that occupy the area.
Lasting two to three months, this project is expected to be completed in March 2023. The latter is financed by the French Biodiversity Office, the Martinique Water Office and the city of Lamentin.
Salinity problems and invasive species
Fred Samot, Delegate for Town Planning, Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development of the city of Lamentin, explains the challenges to be faced in this project:
This project will allow us to continue the project we have in progress, which consists in replanting, requalifying about half a hectare of mangrove. Thus, this project will continue its actions. We have a reduction in salinity in this area due to water inflow and outflow. We must also, in relation to the loss of salinity in this area, fight against invasive species since we have seen in the field that these invasive species, the grasses, are gradually replacing the mangroves on approximately one hectare. So, it will be about eradicating them.
Aude Brador, deputy director of the Marine Natural Park, insists on the commitment of the municipality of Lamentin to protect the mangroves:
It was interesting to see that the municipality of Lamentin positioned itself above it. This municipality has been collaborating with the industrialists for several years, as it is a project that aims to ensure that the industrial activities reduce the impact of the supply of fresh water that arrives in large quantities in the mangroves and which will disrupt the functioning of the mangroves. So they have put in place a dynamic where industries find their place.
This national project covers overseas departments and communities such as French Polynesia, Réunion, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, etc.
