Caribbean 'to sign landmark sustainable marine agreement'

Eight intergovernmental organisations involved in the management of marine resources in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+) region are expected to sign a landmark agreement for strengthened coordination and cooperation.

The goal of this memorandum of understanding is to enhance regional collaboration for the improved management of the resources of the Caribbean Sea – a place that forms the basis for fishing, tourism and maritime transportation.

Who is expected to sign?

• Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
• Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM)
• Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD)
• Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Organisation (OSPESCA)
• Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations on behalf of the Western Central Atlantic
• Fishery Commission (FAO-WECAFC)
• Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO-IOC)
• Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission; and the
• UN Environment represented by its Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit and Secretariat to the Cartagena Convention (UN Environment Programme CAR/RCU).

Through the agreement, each of the organisations will now be better placed to provide coordinated support to the region, according to a press release.

This includes helping countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 14 on Oceans, which is “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development."

The agreement formalises the establishment of a “regional coordinating mechanism”.

This mechanism will constitute the core of a new, wide-ranging global partnership called the CLME+ Partnership, which will assist regional governments to reduce marine pollution and overfishing, and adapt to climate change.

It also aims to reduce degradation of marine habitats, such as coral reefs, mangroves and sea grass.