Coastal and marine ecosystems and biodiversity are the basis for much of the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+) economic development and are also important for food security and resilience against climate change and natural hazards. In light of this, and with the support of the Global Environment Facility (the GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the bordering countries in 2015 adopted a 10 year Strategic Action Programme for the sustainable management of the shared living marine resources in the two Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs). This 10-year programme provides a roadmap towards the management of the region’s marine resources through strengthened and consolidated regional cooperation. It also outlines approaches for tackling root causes of habitat degradation, marine pollution and unsustainable fishing by combining actions for structural change with capacity building and high-priority management interventions and on-the-ground investments. To date 26 countries and 8 overseas territories have committed towards working together implementing the programme.
In 2018, the Caribbean Natural Resource Institute (CANARI), a regional civil society organisation, through an initiative entitled “Engaging Civil Society in CLME+ SAP Implementation", supported the development of a document entitled “People Managing Oceans" (in English and Spanish). This document which supports the vision of the politically endorsed Strategic Action Programme was developed by civil society, fisherfolk and community enterprises in an attempt to define a framework to guide practical actions towards a healthy marine environment in the Caribbean Sea and North Brazil Shelf, whilst at the same time providing benefits and livelihoods for the well-being of the people of the region.
“People Managing Oceans” lays out an ambitious programme to unify and focus civil society action across the region to implement 8 strategies and 90 associated actions for management of key coastal and marine ecosystems: coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, pelagic ecosystems, and continental shelf ecosystems. It also outlines priorities for strengthening civil society’s capacity and enabling mechanisms for participatory governance and management of oceans.
CANARI, through the referenced initiative, has also provided small grants to civil society groups within the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf region to support implementation of the actions outlined under the “People Managing Oceans” document. Two of these small grants have been recently awarded to the Liamuiga Seamoss Group in St. Kitts and the Indian Castle Fisher Folk Association in Nevis totaling US$52,820 to support projects that would demonstrate seamoss farming as a viable, alternative, livelihood in fishing communities.
Stephen Moore, President of the Indian Castle Fisher Folk Association, noted
“Smaller fish catches have affected fishers in Nevis, and as a result, fishers have had to find alternate ways to catch fish, such as using Fish Aggregating Devices. However, with using Fish Aggregating Devices, he said“fishers have to travel farther, which means more fuel, more navigation equipment and longer time at sea”.
In terms of using seamoss farming as an alternative livelihood, Moore highlighted
“Seamoss farming relies on skills and equipment that fishers already possess, making it an easy transition for fishers.”
The small grants will also be used to improve the marketing and sale of seamoss and value-added seamoss products by strengthening the community-based small and micro enterprises operated by the Liamuiga Seamoss Group and the Indian Castle Fisher Folk Association.
President, Reiner Ferdinand, of the Liamuiga Seamoss Group, said
“The group has found seamoss farming to be worthwhile, as it is an income generating activity through which group members so far have been able to build some capacity with regards to operating a small business and is an opportunity to give back and support the community”.
These local investments supported by the GEF will now allow the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems region to cost effectively promote and scale up larger private sector investments which will stimulate local economies and support livelihoods at a wider, regional scale whilst simultaneously reducing pressure on vulnerable resources.
The manner in which we treat the oceans over the next few decades will determine whether economies will be able to thrive well into the future. The success we have realized to date demonstrates the way to a new paradigm based on partnerships at local to global scales that leads to both transboundary regional cooperation and ecosystem and human wellbeing benefits on the ground. The GEF’s support for the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf countries demonstrates the GEF’s commitment to our shared oceans and aligns with the theme of the upcoming 2020 high level UN Oceans conference, which is all about scaling up ocean action based on sound science, collaboration and not least innovation.
About the project: The small grant programme to support demonstration of the ecosystems approach to fisheries and ecosystem-based management is a key output of the two-year (January 2017- December 2019) “Engaging Civil Society in CLME+ SAP Implementation” project. The project is being implemented by theCANARI as a co-executing partner under the five year (2015-2020) “Catalysing Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the Sustainable Management of shared Living Marine Resources in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems” project (CLME+ Project) led by UNDP/GEF to promote broader participation of, and contributions from, civil society groups in the implementation of the CLME+ Strategic Action Programme. Click here for more information on the project. -- link does not work
About CANARI: CANARI is a regional, technical, non-profit organisation which has been working in the islands of the Caribbean for 30 years. Our mission is to promote equitable participation and effective collaboration in managing natural resources critical to development. Our programmes focus on research, sharing and dissemination of lessons learned, capacity building and fostering regional partnerships. Click here for more information on CANARI.
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