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183 species of fish have be found in the Marine Park at St Barthelemy, thanks to scientific studies using transects to measure marine populations. By all indications, the average density is close to 238 individual fish per 100 m2. That represents a healthy average compared to other Marine Parks in the French Antilles. Studies by the SEI (Sustainable Ecosystems Institute) also noted a sizable increase in the fish population between 1996 and the present at such sites as the small islands “Gros-Ilets” and “Pain de Sucre” This shows the positive effectiveness of the Marine Park in these zones.
Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawk-bill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are the most frequently seen species of marine reptiles. Luth turtles are seen along the coast but rarely, and the last known time that eggs were laid was on the beach of Flamands in 1982. The Marine Park keeps an eye out to see if turtles have laid their eggs on the beaches with the park’s jurisdiction.
Sant-Barth has one of the observation stations in all the French West Indies that sees the largest number and diversity of species of fish. This good news due to the efforts of the Marine Park and fishing that is more restricted than in Guadeloupe, for example. The island's coral is also doing better than in July 2004, when the last observations took place. Even though the coral reef has been reduced by 20-25%, it is doing better now partially due to strong swells this winter that also "cleaned" the ocean bottom as well as reduced the amount of algae that can suffocate the coral. The existence of young coral is visible, lending credibility to the theory it is growing. The scientists also observed a significant decrease in algae. Green algae that appeared three years ago has disappeared, and the amount of brown algae has returned to its previous level. For the scientists, the proliferation of these algae is a cyclical phenomenon difficult to explain.
13 species of marine birds nest in Saint Barthélemy, making it the richest area of Gaudeloupe in terms of bird life. Certains species like the Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri) or the Tropic-bird (Phaeton aethereus and P. lepturus) feed out on the open seas, but all the others expoit the Park zones. Around the small islands of “Frégate” and “Toc-Vers,” the Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethetus), the Snooty Tern (Sterna fuscata), and the Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) can be found, especially at mating time.
33 species of marine mammals live in or pass through the Caribbean Sea, several of which have been seen close to the shores of Saint Barthélemy. One can see humpback whales between February and May. Occasionally dolphins swim into the zones of the Marine Park, especially near the islands of “Tortue” and “Frégate - Toc Vers”. There is a group of approximately 20 Bottlenose dolphins that lives to the east of the island.
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