GUY TALK
CARIBBEAN CHALLENGE INITIATIVE 2013 In May 2013, many of the heads of government of numerous Caribbean nations
caused throughout the Caribbean so
will be meeting in the British Virgin Islands to enact a meaningful program of
protecting vital reefs is a critical part
increased conservation and protection for coral reefs and their inhabitants. The
of any plan. When I was snorkeling
Nature Conservancy is working with environmental advocate Sir Richard Branson
the shallow reefs in the Silver Bank
to achieve the Caribbean Challenge Initiative.
observing humpback whales, I did not
As far back as 2008, the Bahamas got with several other Caribbean countries
see a fsh over 12 inches long and we
and launched a region-wide campaign to protect the health of the Caribbean
were 90 miles from any land! Apparently,
lands and waters. These Caribbean nations have committed to protecting 20% of
commercial aquarium fshermen using
the coastal and shallow reef habitat by 2020 from commercial fshing that uses
liquid cyanide to stun the fsh has wiped
fsh traps, gill nets, bottom fshing and longline fshing. While we recreational
out the population and also decimated
fshermen have long promoted conservation through catch and release and only
reef growth.
keeping what we might want to eat, many of the commercial techniques result in
GUY HARVEY, PhD
Due to increased population and
is an internationally-acclaimed
consumers in the Cayman Islands the
artist, fsherman, scientist, and
Department of Environment has recently
world traveler, who devotes
funding. Without a source of dedicated, sustainable fnance, any park, no matter
proposed a further 20% expansion of
much of his time and money
what size or how visionary, and no matter how well meaning were the people who
existing marine parks if this country
toward ocean conservation.
created it…no enforcement means no protection, which translates into a waste of
wishes to maintain the health of coral
time and diminished resources.
reefs, mangroves and related fsheries. There are gaps in terms of enforcement as
excessive by-catch or reef damage that ultimately afects the entire eco-system. Of course, creating a cooperative of Caribbean nations raises the question of
Currently, where I live in the Cayman Islands, we already have 25% protection
only seven ofcers are responsible for covering the entire country, but proposed
for shallow reef areas out to the insular dropof that restricts commercial fshing.
new laws will address this issue included in the new National Conservation Law
We all know the damage that unregulated commercial fshing and poaching has
that will further protect reefs, fsh resources for sustainable recreational fshing,
