Caribbean Region
Goal: Support the region to protect 30% of Caribbean waters through the designation of new and expanded marine protected areas (MPAs) and establish systems to improve management effectiveness
Alliance Partnerships
The Alliance’s main partners in the region are the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), Fondo Nacional para el Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales – FONDO MARENA (Fondo MARENA), and The Bahamas National Trust (BNT).
At a regional level, we hope to advance political engagement on ocean conservation targets and develop a financing facility through the Effective Marine Protected Area Activities for the Caribbean (EMPAC) project in partnership with the CBF, which contributes to the 30×30 goal. At the national level, we seek to improve the management of the entire network of MPAs in The Bahamas in partnership with the BNT. We are also working in the Dominican Republic to increase national coverage of protections to at least 30% of the nation’s waters and put in place foundational management pillars to guarantee effective and lasting ocean conservation in the country in partnership with Fondo MARENA, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic, and Blue Marine Foundation.
The Caribbean region is one of the world’s ten marine biodiversity hotspots.
It is home to 10% of the world’s coral reefs, including the Mesoamerican Reef which is acknowledged as the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world and the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere. The marine ecosystem of the region comprises over 16,000 species of fish and marine mammals. Many of the coastlines in the Caribbean region are bordered by extensive mangrove forests and seagrass beds. The Western Caribbean is also recognized as one of ten marine biodiversity hotspots and one of thirty-five global biological hotspots. However, these unique and important marine ecosystems are under threat due to global warming, pollution, and unsustainable fisheries management.
Realizing the Caribbean’s conservation potential
Comprised of 28 countries and 19 dependent territories, the Caribbean has shown sustained political will for ocean conservation through regional efforts like the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI). Caribbean governments have also demonstrated interest in aligning with scientific recommendations for more ambitious protected area targets, particularly those in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
To help translate political willingness into action, the Blue Nature Alliance is providing resources to build the capacity of marine management systems in the region and chart paths to ensure durable MPA financing. Together, we hope to safeguard the region’s extraordinary marine biodiversity, build climate resilience, and position the Caribbean as a global model for large scale and networked ocean conservation.
