Blue Halo Barbuda: Sustainably manage ocean resources through marine spatial planning, marine reserves, and improved fisheries management
Description
In February 2013, Blue Halo Barbuda launched as a comprehensive ocean and coastal management project. Over a five-years period, the Blue Halo partners 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.
Blue Halo Barbuda has 4 phases: (1) Assessments (2) Policy Design & Planning; (3) Implementation; and (4) On-going management by Barbuda (long-term). <br />
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During the assessment phase (2013), we mapped marine habitat, identified ocean uses, collected fisheries data, reviewed existing laws and regulations that govern the ocean, and conducted extensive community consultations. We developed a zoning plan including a legal framework during the policy design and planning phase (2014). We entered the third phase of policy implementation in 2015, have since been focused on building and strengthening capacity for ocean management, compliance and enforcement. Phase 4 addresses the adaptive management of protected areas and fisheries through scientific monitoring, community engagement and capacity building. Throughout the initiative we engage stakeholders and the public through social media, events, and education activities. <br />
Waitt Institute works closely with government staff, local non-profit organizations and community leaders to transfer the knowledge and skills needed for effective ocean management. We support travel to conferences and trainings, bring international experts to project sites, and assist our partners in seeking external grant funding to strengthen ocean management. A data-sharing agreement is in place to ensure to data collected throughout the initiative.
Blue Halo Barbuda is led by the Barbuda Council and the Waitt Institute. The Waitt Institute is a non-profit organization based in San Diego, California and was founded in 2005 by Ted Waitt (co-founder of Gateway, Inc.). The Institute partners with small-island governments to envision, create, and implement sustainable ocean policies. We are currently working through three partnerships in the Caribbean, Blue Halo Barbuda, Blue Halo Curaçao, and Blue Halo Barbuda and through the Vava’u Ocean Initiative in Tonga. <br />
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Blue Halo Barbuda partners with national government departments, stakeholders, non-profit organizations, technical experts, and scientists. <br />
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
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
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
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
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
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
SDG 14 targets covered
| 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 |
Deliverables & Timeline
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Contact Information
Kathryn Mengerink, Dr.