CARIBBEAN MARINE ASSOCIATION

The Caribbean Marine Association (CMA), held its second Annual General Meeting at Marigot Bay, Saint Lucia on June 23rd, 2011.  The meeting was held with the financial support of the Centre for Development Enterprise (CDE), under a wider project to the CMA “Capacity Building of the Caribbean Marine Association for Policy Dialogue and Promotion of the Sector Towards the Goals of Many Islands, One Sea”.

The CMA is the regional association representing the voice of the national marine trade associations throughout the Caribbean.  At present, there are eight national member associations in the CMA.  The main objective of the CMA is to promote and protect the interests of the recreational marine industry throughout the Caribbean region. Priorities include: increasing awareness of the industry, harmonization of legal and regulatory frameworks, protecting the marine environment, enhancing visitor safety and fostering harmonious cooperation between member countries and their governments.

Immediate Past President, Hon. Keats Compton advised those present that this was the third attempt to get the CMA off the ground and towards a viable sustainable organisation.  The CMA was first launched in 2005 with two years of steady activity.  Despite active progress made by the CMA in that time, due to financial and human constraints, the CMA became dormant in 2008. 

At this meeting, the several areas of priority for the CMA in the immediate to long term were identified:

 • Establishment of a dedicated and sustainable CMA Secretariat
 • Increased membership base of the CMA including; national marine associations, marine businesses and individuals within the marine industry
 • Marketing and promotion of the industry through the CMA website and through national and regional branding and events
 • Training for the industry
 • Utilisation of surveys and statistics for lobbying and advocacy to Governments and key Regional organisations on:
 • Environmental issues (TBT Anti-fouling, moorings in protected areas, holding tanks)
 • Safety and Security
 • Harmonisation of Customs and Immigration processes in the Region (E-Sea Clear through phased projects and cooperation with the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council [CCLEC] )

The new Board of Directors, representing each Member Marine Trades organisation of the CMA were appointed to serve for a period of three years, to 2014:
 President: John Duffy, Antigua and Barbuda Marine Association (ABMA)
Vice President : Bob Hathaway – Marine Industries Association of Saint Lucia (MIASL)
Secretary : Kass Johnson-Halliday – St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA)
Treasurer: Anita Sutton – Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada (MAYAG)
Immediate Past President:  Keats Compton - Marine Industries Association of Saint Lucia (MIASL)
Board Member: Shamine Johnson -  Marine Operators of the Bahamas (MOB)
Board Member:  Sam Welch  - Marine Association of the British Virgin Islands
Board Member: John West - St. Vincent and the Grenadines Recreational Marine Association
Board Member:  Donald Stollmeyer (interim)  - Yacht Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago (YSATT)

For the initial six months under the new Board directorate, the CMA Secretariat will be hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Marine Association
For more information on the Caribbean Marine Association, visit the website at: http://www.caribbeanmarineassociation.com
Or contact CMA President John Duffy at: info@caribbeanmarineassociation.com