The Department of Crown Lands has issued a comprehensive statement addressing public concerns regarding the future of Marie’s Fish Shack, a longstanding local establishment operating on state-owned property at Reduit Beach. This clarification comes amid ongoing development of the $1.3 billion Mount Pimard Beach Park project, a transformative tourism initiative currently underway.
While acknowledging the restaurant’s significant role within the local community, officials emphasize that the business has operated unofficially on Crown Lands without formal approval from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, as required by law. The government stresses the necessity of compliance with legal frameworks governing state-owned properties, particularly those within areas designated for national development.
The Mount Pimard development, a partnership between the Government of Saint Lucia and A’ILA Resorts, represents one of the island’s most substantial tourism investments. The multiphase project will eventually feature a family hotel, adults-only wellness resort, luxury villas, residential units, a shopping boulevard, and one of the island’s largest conference centers. The first phase, TheLifeCo holistic wellness resort, is scheduled to open imminently.
Contrary to perceptions of eviction, authorities describe the action as a strategic relocation to an enhanced site within the same beach area. The new location offers superior amenities including dedicated parking, security services, sanitation facilities, recreational areas, dining spaces, and a children’s playground. Notably, the beach park design from its earliest conceptual stages incorporated provisions for a dedicated fish restaurant, specifically considering Marie’s operations.
The completed beach park facility, constructed by A’ILA Resorts, has been formally transferred to the National Conservation Authority (NCA) which will oversee its operations. The government encourages local entrepreneurs interested in commercial opportunities within the new development to contact the NCA directly.
Officials maintain that while celebrating Marie’s contributions and desiring her continued success, adherence to legal protocols remains essential for maintaining equitable business practices across all sectors. The government asserts that this approach ultimately strengthens both the national tourism product and the broader Saint Lucian economy.