Saint Kitts and Nevis, officially the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, is an island country and microstate consisting of the two islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, both located in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles. It is the smallest sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere, in both area and population, as well as the world’s smallest sovereign federation.

Deforestation, erosion, and water pollution are among the most significant environmental problems in St. Kitts and Nevis. Deforestation has affected the nation’s wildlife population and contributed to soil erosion. The erosion of the soil produces silt, which affects the living environment for marine life on the coral reefs. Water pollution results from uncontrolled dumping of sewage into the nation’s waters. Another contributing factor is pollution from cruise ships which support the nation’s tourist trade.

Despite its small area, St. Kitts and Nevis boasts a representative cross-section of Caribbean marine life, including endangered corals, marine mammals, fish species, and sea turtles. Marine fishes number approximately 460 species, including 126 species that are threatened or endangered. Coastal fisheries have declined sharply in recent years, and storms and anchoring have heavily damaged the reefs. Anecdotally, fishers have reported smaller catches of conch, lobster, and large pelagic and demersal fishes. Major threats to the marine ecology of the islands include coastal development, unsustainable fisheries practices, land-based sources of pollution, rising ocean temperatures, and the increasing intensity of hurricanes and other storm events.