Waitt Institute
Media Release
CODRINGTON, Barbuda — The Barbuda Council signed into law today a sweeping set of new ocean management regulations that zone their coastal waters, strengthen fisheries management, and establish a network of marine sanctuaries.
This comes after seventeen months of extensive community consultation and scientific research supported by the Waitt Institute. With these new policies, the small island of Barbuda has become a Caribbean ocean conservation leader and global role model.
The regulations establish five marine sanctuaries, collectively protecting 33% (139 km2 ) of the coastal area, to enable fish populations to rebuild and habitats to recover. To restore the coral reefs, catching parrotfish and sea urchins has been completely prohibited, as those herbivores are critical to keeping algae levels on reefs low so coral can thrive. Barbuda is the first Caribbean island to put either of these bold and important measures in place.
“This will definitely benefit the people of Barbuda, and Antigua as well. No part of this is meant to hurt fishers. It’s the reverse – ensuring that they have a livelihood that will last in perpetuity,” said Arthur Nibbs, Chairman of the Barbuda Council and Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Fisheries.
Caribbean-wide, communities are seeing declines in the health of coastal ecosystems and fish populations. This negatively impacts economies, food security, and cultures. Visionary action like that shown in Barbuda is needed to manage the ocean sustainably, profitably, and enjoyably, for this and future generations.
The coastal zones and fishing regulations reflect stakeholders’ priorities and are the outcome of a community-driven, science-based, and consensus-seeking process aiming to balance current and future needs to use ocean resources.
“This type of management must become the status quo. It has been an honor to support the people of Barbuda as they took decisive steps to conserve their reefs and fisheries, and I look forward to supporting similar efforts elsewhere,” said Ted Waitt, Founder Chairman of the Waitt Institute.
Creation of the new regulations occurred under the umbrella of the Barbuda Blue Halo Initiative, a collaboration between the Barbuda Council, Government of Antigua & Barbuda, Barbuda Fisheries Division, Codrington Lagoon Park, and the Waitt Institute. The Waitt Institute provided all of the science, mapping, and communications, offered policy recommendations, and coordinated the overall Initiative.
“I enthusiastically applaud the measures put in place in Barbuda, particularly the protection of parrotfish and sea urchins. Protection of these vitally important herbivores is the essential first step toward the recovery of Caribbean reefs from the severe degradation they have undergone in the last fifty years,” Jeremy Jackson, Ph.D., Director of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) at the International Union of the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Also included in the regulations is a two-year fishing hiatus for Codrington Lagoon, the primary nursery ground for the lobster and finfish fisheries. The lagoon, a Ramsar wetland of international importance, is one the Caribbean’s most extensive and intact mangrove ecosystems, and home to the world’s largest breeding colony of Magnificent frigatebirds.
Additionally, at the request of local fishers concerned with reef damage, use of fishing nets will be prohibited in 16% of the coastal waters (70 km2 ), including anywhere within 20 meters of a coral reef. To further protect sensitive habitats, anchoring by visiting boats will be limited to four anchoring zones, and permits will be required prior to any damage to mangroves or seagrass.
Most fishermen support the regulations. “Something has got to be done. Things are out of hand where fishing is concerned,” says Larkin Webber, elder Barbudan fisherman. These regulations should have happened 40 or 50 years ago. It’s overdue.”
The Waitt Institute will continue to work closely with the government and people of Barbuda over the next three years to support implementation of these regulations. This will include setting up a long-term scientific monitoring program, training local staff in marine ecology and field research techniques, recommending enforcement approaches, providing needed equipment, and working with schools to develop an ocean education curriculum.
“The state of Caribbean reefs and fisheries is dire, but the policy solutions are simple,” said Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Waitt Institute and coordinator of the Barbuda Blue Halo Initiative. “My heart soars to think that if other islands take similarly bold steps soon, we will see reefs recover, fishers’ livelihoods improve, ecosystems become more resilient to climate change, and the Caribbean coastal way of life thrive.”
Key new fisheries regulations:
Permit required to fish in the coastal waters around Barbuda (within 5.55 km of shore).
All catch or possession of parrotfish and sea urchins is prohibited.
Catch of sharks is limited to traditional use.
All fishing on any fish spawning aggregations is prohibited.
All lobster and fish traps must include escape gaps to reduce bycatch.
Use of nets is prohibited within 20 meters of reefs.
Permits are required for placing artificial reefs, and prohibit fishing on these reefs.
Fishing in Codrington Lagoon is prohibited for 2 years, except for line fishing from shore.
Permits must be obtained prior to any mangrove or seagrass damage.
A Coastal Management Advisory Committee and Parks Authority are established.
The Waitt Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering communities to restore their ocean. (www.waittinstitute.org) — www.barbuda.waittinstitute.org — www.facebook.com/BarbudaBlueHalo — Twitter: @BarbudaBlueHalo.