Abstract

Recent research on the biological connections of marine populations in the Wider Caribbean has shown that they are more restricted than previously thought. These results have allowed delineation of a highly partitioned ecoregional scenario of the Tropical NW Atlantic Coastal Biogeographic Province. The results point out the need to use such information in the development of large-scale – including transboundary – ecosystem-based management of coastal resources. In addition, the recent proliferation of social networking initiatives, and their success in communicating with people and advancing knowledge, stresses the importance of using stakeholder networks to disseminate best management practices and increase the effectiveness of marine protected areas at both site and system levels. This paper addresses these topics by describing the ecoregional scenario of the Wider Caribbean and the regional policy background, objectives, activities and cooperative working approach of the Caribbean Marine Protected Area Management (CaMPAM) Network and Forum. This social networking initiative has a capacity building programme for practitioners in the Wider Caribbean marine protected areas.

Introduction

Within the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR), there is an estimated 26,000 km2 of coral reefs, developed in isolation with very few of the many thousands of species of flora and fauna in these waters found anywhere else in the world (Burke and Maidens 2004). Living coastal and marine resources in the WCR are under tremendous pressure. Much of the human population lives near the coast and is highly dependent on living marine resources for their livelihoods, employment and food. Fishery resources are intensively exploited by large numbers of small-scale fishers. Some species, such as lobster and conch, are in high demand for export. Coastal development and the rapid expansion of tourism exacerbate the situation as important habitats deteriorate or are being destroyed. These pressures have led to a widespread depletion of marine resources, including offshore resources, which are already considered to be fully or overexploited. Living resources such as coral reefs and associated habitats (mangroves, seagrass beds, sandy beaches and rocky shores) are extremely important for tourism economies as well as coastal defense against sea level rises and storms. Although not yet depleted, these are also severely degraded by human activity.