Conserving Marine Biodiversity in Saint. Kitts and Nevis
(
Local / Regional Government
)
#OceanAction40833
Description
PROJECT IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
The existing system of protected areas (PAs) in St. Kitts and Nevis is limited to 3 terrestrial PA units on St. Kitts. There are no terrestrial protected areas on Nevis, nor are there any marine protected areas anywhere in the country. In addition, apart from one historic site, there is no active management of protected areas in the country at either the system or site level. The proposed project will improve ecosystem representation in the PA system; establish/strengthen PA management operations at key sites; and strengthen institutional, policy, legal/regulatory, information, and financing frameworks at the PA system level. At the site level, the GEF investment will enable the legal establishment of five new PAs (two terrestrial and three marine) and the operationalization of these sites as well as the two existing terrestrial PAs that currently have no management. In so doing, the project will expand the PA system from two terrestrial sites totaling 5,260 hectares without any effective management, to four terrestrial sites totaling 8,810 hectares and three marine sites totaling 11,693 hectares, all of which will be actively managed.
On the marine side, the project will focus site-based activities in the marine environment on three proposed marine protected areas (MPAs): Sandy Point, Narrows and Keys Marine Parks. The proposed project will support the demarcation, zoning and boundary marking of the Sandy Point and Keys MPAs, as well as the development of management plans for those sites. MPA staff will be trained to undertake PA management functions and carry out priority management activities, including: monitoring and enforcement of PA regulations; visitor management and operation of fee systems; ecotourism development; public education and outreach, and conservation programs. MPA staff will also be trained to facilitate stakeholder involvement and to include fishermen, dive operators and other stakeholders in MPA planning decisions and conservation and monitoring programs. The project will also support programs at these MPA sites to address the invasive lionfish and to reorient fishing pressure away from inshore coral reef ecosystems to offshore fish aggregating devices.
Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources, Cooperatives, Environment and Human Settlement, through the Department of Environment
Ministry of Sustainable Development - Department of Physical Planning and Environment
Department of Physical Planning, Environment and Natural Resources (Nevis); Department of Marine Resources; Nevis Department of Fisheries
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 |
Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
| Title | Progress Status | Submitted |
|---|---|---|
| Partnership Progress 2019-03-06 | On track | |
| Partnership Progress 2019-03-06 | On track |
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Contact Information
Gabor Vereczi, Regional Technical Specialist