Abstract

Ecosystem-based management (EBM), which can be considered an integrated watershed and coastal area management (IWCAM) approach, is an innovative way to address the additional challenges faced by human activities in the context of small islands. These activities threaten the ability of coastal and marine ecosystems in the Caribbean to provide benefits such as seafood, safe and clean beaches, and shoreline protection from storm surges and flooding. Small islands are considered “one big watershed”, since most activities on land can create negative impacts on the marine environment. Human activities on land, along the coasts, and in the ocean are unintentionally but seriously affecting marine ecosystems by altering marine food webs, changing the climate, damaging habitat, eroding coastlines, introducing invasive species, and polluting coastal waters. Concern over this situation led to the development of the Cartagena Convention and its Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS Protocol). The LBS Protocol may force countries to bear in mind the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems from the context of small islands in planning for interventions addressed by the Protocol. The marine EBM response to land-based activities must seek to link approaches such as integrated land-use planning with IWCAM in the Caribbean. One of the key challenges will be the coordination of national efforts and regional mechanisms. The specific implications of land-based activities and their impacts are discussed.

Introduction

The Caribbean Sea is an important natural resource for tourism, fisheries and general recreation. The associated coastal and marine ecosystems are extremely fragile and vulnerable to human activities, especially those that take place on land. Regional and national actions are urgently needed to protect these vital marine resources in the Wider Caribbean region.

Human activities on land as well as in the ocean have changed coastal and marine ecosystems in the Caribbean and threaten their ability to provide benefits to society. These benefits include seafood, safe and clean beaches, and shoreline protection from storm surges and flooding. Ecosystem- based management (EBM) promotes an innovative approach to address the additional challenges faced by such human activities. The ecosystem- based management approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that provides sustainable delivery of ecosystem services in an equitable way.