Grenada takes steps ahead to protect marine environment

Grenada, known as the Spice of the Caribbean, is taking important steps to protect its marine environment for future generations further while creating events for the sector. The tri-island nation intends to be working with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to develop a public-private sector partnership to decrease marine waste coming from pleasure vessels such as yachts.

The project, dubbed 'Mixing Water, Land and Ecosystem Management in the Caribbean for Small Island Developing States,' will examine Grenada and Carriacou's current position and create research-based solutions to deal with waste in an eco-friendly manner.

Additionally, Grenada wishes to implement a Marine Waste Management policy with improvements to the existing legislation and accompanying regulations. This policy plans to aim at setting up a management system for marine waste management, including monitoring, funding, penalties, and other cost structures.

Confident that this is a very positive action to manage Grenada's fisheries sustainably, permanent secretary (Ag.) fisheries and co-operatives in the ministry of sports, culture and the arts, fisheries & co-operatives Michael Stephen stated: 'Grenada is an International Maritime Organization (IMO) member and will also comply with measures to increase the safety and security of worldwide transportation and to prevent marine pollution coming from ships.'

The Grenada Ports Authority (GPA) is the country's focal point for international maritime affairs, falling under the International Maritime Organization's auspices (IMO). The general manager, Carlyle Felix, affirmed, 'The Grenada Ports Authority reiterates its support for the intended policy and sees fresh to a timely selection of the IMO's Caribbean Small Commercial Vessels Code. We are convinced that its adoption will help cleaner seas, which is one of one pillar of an ocean-based saving.'