The Department of Environment recently hosted a successful Foundational Coastal Water Quality Monitoring Session for St. Kitts and Nevis. The workshop brought together dedicated representatives from various government agencies and local stakeholders, all committed to strengthening the country’s coastal water quality monitoring efforts.
Facilitated by Dr. Halla Sahely, the session built upon a previous presentation held in May 2026 and laid the groundwork for St. Kitts and Nevis’ participation in the CARPHA-led regional initiative, “Strengthening Coastal Water Quality Monitoring Systems in Caribbean SIDS through a Regional Implementation Framework.”
The session enhanced participants’ understanding of the core indicators used to monitor coastal water quality while also reviewing the essential principles for designing effective monitoring networks in small island coastal systems. It provided an opportunity to discuss field sampling logistics, clarify the roles and responsibilities of participating agencies, and coordinate efforts to ensure the successful implementation of the project. The discussions also highlighted the importance of each partner’s contribution to the validation process.
The session concluded with stakeholders reaching a shared understanding of the priority coastal water quality indicators, developing a refined preliminary list of monitoring stations for St. Kitts and Nevis, and establishing follow-up actions to support CARPHA’s in-country sampling mission.
Through this collaborative effort, St. Kitts and Nevis is strengthening its capacity to monitor and protect its precious coastal waters. The outcomes of this session will help guide future monitoring activities, ensuring the protection of our marine ecosystems while delivering lasting benefits to our communities and future generations.