The goal of the project is to develop capacities for improving information management systems and testing the application of a new decision-support tool. An innovative methodology for integrated analysis of environmental and socioeconomic issues for selected marine ecosystems was applied. It used a participatory and multi-disciplinary approach in two pilot sites - Puerto Plata and Montecristi.

Partnership: United Nations Environment Programme, Caribbean Environmental Programme (UNEP-CEP). Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, Republica Dominicana (MinMARENA), Caribbean Marine Protected Areas Management Network (CaMPAM). ReefCheck Dominican Republic. Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES). Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute (CNSI). PROGES. Funding: Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development.

Duration: 2015 - 2020. Total budget: 1.350.000,00 Euro.

Target area: Wider Caribbean Region, pilots in Dominican Republic.

PROGES contribution: Transfer of knowledge on EBM and DSS application across the Wider Caribbean. (PROGES budget: 205.084,90 Euro).

Overview
The Project aims at developing institutional capacities in Caribbean the region through the transfer of technological knowledge and enhancement of the Regional Database of Marine Protected Areas to contribute to and integrate into a regional system for strategic/operational planning. This also with the aim of promoting and strengthening the capacity and sustainability of the Caribbean Marine Protected Areas Management Network (CaMPAM). It is implemented via a series of pilot projects in selected sites and protected areas, as well as regional activities for the Wider Caribbean in collaboration with a number of local, regional and international partners.

Expected Change
The resulting decision-support tool can be used by governments and non-governmental organisations to support decisions on planning and managing the use of coastal and marine resources by applying the ecosystem-based management (EBM) approach.

Main Activities
Identify Pilot Protected/Managed Areas that will serve best in testing range of EBM criteria
Design and implement participatory method for review, testing, revision and implementation of site specific/’node’ dataset criteria and Decision Support System (DSS) nodes.
Participatory Management Plans are developed and implemented for Pilot sites. Where feasible, this will include recommendations/actions on reducing environmental impact, recurring costs and carbon footprint; as well as improving local community livelihoods. The participatory plan demonstrates involvement and consensus and outlines the existing conservation.
Node DSS and data analysed and used as basis for development and testing of regional DSS to monitor EBM effectiveness.
Design MPA management plan proposal template based on lessons learnt and draft at least 2 MPA management plan proposals that have an EBM approach.
Network of regional MPA and relevant experts established. In addition to their capacity being built throughout the project through training, etc., they will provide advice and support on project decisions. Information will also be posted on-line at key professional sites to expand the reach of potential knowledge expertise.
Develop an exchange programme between the UNEP-CEP/SPAW CaMPAM and the Mediterranean MPA programmes (MedPAN, WWF-Mediterrenean, etc.) to share best MPA management practices and develop professional competencies in the Caribbean

Main Outcomes
• Data for the Regional Database of Marine Protected Areas in the Caribbean Marine Atlas improved and increased.

• A site-specific Decision Support System (DSS) is established in the relevant administration(s) to guide and assist the strategic conceptualization, operational planning, implementation guidance and performance monitoring of the EBM of the selected pilot protected/managed areas.

• Systemic Management Plans and Priority Activities prepared and implemented for each of the selected pilot protected/managed areas. The plans activities will not only target the operational and conservation management of the area, but will consider factors such as carbon footprint, environmental best practices (e.g. waste management), cost effectiveness, financing, economic valuation and EBM effectiveness, as well as its pivotal role in the sustainable development of communities in the areas. The aim will be to have fully MMAs within sites which are fully integrated under the EBM approach and sustainable development principles

• Improved technical skills of experts aimed at developing a cadre of mentors for MPA practitioners across the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) to provide adequate institutional capacity to handle and update the datasets, run the DSS, and develop and implement the management plans.

• Using the lessons learnt above, to design and pilot a Regional DSS to support SPAW and CaMPAM (venue TBD) to monitor, support and disseminate results of the Protected Areas. The DSS will aim to harmonise strategic lines and planning measures for the conservation and sustainable management of coastal and marine resources of the WCR.

• An proposal template for MPA management planning that considers technical, operational and financial factors is prepared for the establishment of additional site specific DSS in other protected areas which would represent additional "nodes" to be integrated into the regional DSS. The template will also be tested by completing and submitting at least 2 such proposals to relevant entities.

• Technical outcomes of the project are consolidated, capitalised and integrated with relevant UNEP EBM Programme guidance documentation (e.g. "Taking Steps toward Marine and Coastal Ecosystem-Based Management" ) which, in turn, is adequately shared among the countries of the Wider Caribbean Region and globally, with the support of GLISPA Secretariat. Where feasible, the results will also be shared in other regional and global scientific and development forums.

Stories

Mapping Ocean Wealth and Marine Spatial Planning Achievements and lessons learned in applying the PROGES methods and tools for Ecosystem Based Management in the framework of the Biodiversity for Sustainable Development in the Caribbean. Learn more View the original Story by Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. Ecosystem-Based Management and Decision Support System in the Wider Caribbean: lessons learned from concept to action Outcomes and lessons learnt in applying PROGES methods and tools in the Caribbean shared at the 9th Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) of the Caribbean SPAW Protocol. Learn more View the original Story by UN Environment.

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