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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Blue Halo Barbuda: Sustainable and comprehensive ocean and coastal management initiative

(
Government
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#OceanAction41860
    Description
    Description
    Antigua and Barbuda is an archipelagic state with two (2) main inhabited islands (the islands of Antigua and Barbuda), and one (1) main uninhabited (the island of Redonda) as well as several offshore islands. The Blue Halo Barbuda Initiative concentrates specifically on the island of Barbuda where fishing is one of its main industries, and main sources of livelihood for our people.

    Blue Halo Barbuda was launched as a comprehensive ocean and coastal management project. We are working to develop and implement sustainable ocean policies focused on marine spatial planning, sanctuary zones, and fisheries regulations.

    The goal of Blue Halo Barbuda is to foster the sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable use of ocean resources for present and future generations.
    Partners
    The Government of Antigua and Barbuda; WAITT Institute

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Name Description
    14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
    14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
    14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
    14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
    Drafted and enacted legislation for ocean management that: zones Barbudas coastal waters, strengthens fisheries management, establishes a network of marine sanctuaries (marine protected areas); and create a coastal management fund and authority for increased fees and fines
    Demarcation of the marine sanctuaries (marine protected areas) with marker buoys, shore-based markers, and signage; and the strengthening compliance and enforcement via workshops and training with enforcement officers/agents
    Trained fisheries staff in reef fish measuring techniques and scuba diving; and began mid-term science assessment which includes catch-based monitoring and in-water surveys
    Marine spatial plan of Barbudas coastal waters
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Government officials work in collaboration with the expert of the WAITT Institute to draft and implement the legislation on the marine protected areas and the sustainable ocean management paradigm
    In-kind contribution
    The WAITT Institute donated equipment for the management of the marine protected areas such as marker buoys, shore-based markers, and signage
    In-kind contribution
    The WAITT Institute hosts and funds a variety of capacity building exercises on compliance and enforcement within the marine protected areas such as training and workshops for relevant Government officials
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
    False
    Action Network
    Small Island Developing States
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    Timeline
    01 February 2013 (start date)
    01 January 1970 (date of completion)
    Entity
    The Government of Antigua and Barbuda/Blue Halo Barbuda
    SDGs
    Geographical coverage
    #1 Victoria Park, Botanical Gardens, St Johns, Antigua
    Ocean Basins
    North Atlantic
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology
    Countries
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Contact Information

    Diann Black-Layne, Ambassador (Department of Environment, Antigua and Barbuda)