Saint Lucia: Integrated management of coastal resources and marine protected areas

Project background

The project was part of the Program “Management of coastal resources and conservation of marine biodiversity in the Caribbean” implemented by GIZ together with the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) located in Saint Lucia and forming part of the CARICOM administration.

Objective

“In selected member states of CARICOM the management of existing marine and coastal protected areas (MCPA) is improved.”

The module under operation was working on two levels: on local or national level with the direct management of protected areas, and on regional level (CARICOM) on the implementation of regulations for an integrated and sustainable management of marine and coastal protected areas.

Activities 

• Identification of 5 suitable MCPA as pilot project areas
• Assistance to stakeholders and target groups in the implementation of an improved monitoring system on impact level, integrated management and sustainable management methods in MCPA, implementation of MCPA Management Guidelines
• Development and implementation of a monitoring system with relevant impact factors for protected areas (SocMon, ecosystem monitoring, fisheries monitoring, ReefCheck etc.)
• Assistance for the analysis of existing and the implementation of additional ecosystem services in MCPA (analysis of national and international legal framework conditions).
• Improve integration of MCPA into an integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) (evaluation of administrative and organizational frame work, improvement of stakeholder participation, etc.)
• Promote the improved and more sustainable integration of the private sector into the management of MCPA
• Procure the application of gender aspects in the management of MCPA
• Procure aspects of climate change into the management and use of MCPA
• Improve the financial management of MCPA including the exploration of other governmental, non-governmental and private funding options
• Improve the marketing of MCPA
• Evaluation and improvement of existing management plans of MCPAs as well as of existing national, regional and international management guidelines and methods.
• Evaluation of lessons learnt from the application of different management practices in 5 pilot MCPA
• Assistance in the elaboration and approval of national (and regional) regulations for the management of MCPA
• Implementation of training activities with local stakeholders, national authorities and other relevant groups