Man O War Shoal Marine Park

The seagrass stands in Man O War Shoal Marine Park  are dominated by Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) together with Manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) and banks of calcareous alga (Halimeda sp). 

All four Caribbean species of turtle can be found in St Maarten’s water: Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricate), Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas), Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea) and Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) are a very occasional visitor. A number of Cetaceans are regular visitors both to the reefs and the waters around St Maarten, including; Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), , Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris), Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncates). A survey conducted by the Nature Foundation in the Fall of 2010 looked in detail at the coral reefs at 3 dive sites; Hen & Chicken, Proselyte and Mike’s Maze. At Hen and Chicken dive site the most abundant species was Fire coral (Millepora alcicornis, Millepora squarrosa). Fire coral and Boulder star coral (Montastrea annularis) were the most abundant at Molly Béday. Symmetrical Brain coral (Diploria strigosa), Fire coral and Mustard hill coral (Porites asteroides) were the most abundant at Mike’s Maze. Rough star coral (Isophyllastrea rigida) and Ten-ray star coral (Madracis decactis) were the least evident species of coral, only covering 1.3% of the study site at Molly Beday. Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) and Staghorn coral (Acropora cerviconis) are not common in The Man of War Shoal Marine Park. By contrast, Pillar Coral (Dendogyra cylindrica), sponges and soft corals such as sea fans, sea whips and other gorgonians are abundant. Lobster (Panulirus argus), Queen Conch (Stombuis gigas) can also be found within the MPA.