Marine Protected Areas and Wildlife
Strengthening and Management of Protected Areas in the Wider Caribbean Region
The establishment and management of Protected Areas are addressed by Articles 4 to 9 of the SPAW Protocol. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated zones to conserve marine biodiversity and protect habitats and endangered species in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR).
There are currently 37 Protected Areas (PAs) officially recognized under the SPAW protocol. The list is maintained by the SPAW Regional Activity Centre (SPAW-RAC) and can be found here.
New tools for achieving effective conservation of biodiversity outside of traditional protected areas are being explored. These tools are known as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs). They can include sites that are managed for various purposes, such as cultural or spiritual significance, while still delivering conservation outcomes.
Main Objectives:
- Support governments in the WCR with the design, establishment, and effective management of PAs and OECMs, and their integration into MPA networks.
- Strengthen coordination among existing MPA networks (including CaMPAM and the SPAW-listed MPA network) and promote collaboration with other regional networks.
- Assist governments with the development of human capacity to increase the effectiveness of these areas, both at individual sites and for national systems.
- Increase government awareness of the need for and importance of financing protected areas and OECMs, and to promote the development of funding mechanisms and strategies for successful protected area management.
- Promote sustainable tourism practices to strengthen PA management, support biodiversity conservation, and encourage the sustainable use of coastal and marine ecosystems in the WCR.
- Promote and assist with the development and implementation of the guidelines on protected area establishment, management and listing developed under the framework of SPAW.
- Helping countries develop their national MPA management capacity and, ultimately, the creation of biologically-representative networks and/or sub-regional and cross-border corridors for improved conservation of marine populations and habitats.
- Improving effectiveness of MPA management through targeted training courses, guidance and on-site support, addressing shared needs and challenges among Caribbean MPAs (including, if need be, sites in other regions included in GLISPA objectives).
- Establishing a regular regional liaison system, including communication and publication tools.
- Harmonizing monitoring of ecological and socioeconomic MPA effectiveness indicators.
- Collaborating with other regional networks of MPA managers, such as the Mediterranean Protected Area Network (MedPAN).
SPAW Protected Area Manager Network
The 37 sites that have been recognized under the SPAW Protocol form the basis of a network dedicated to scientific research and regional cooperation. Following recommendations from SPAW COP12, the network aims to contribute to global biodiversity targets by supporting Protected Area Managers with capacity-building, technical exchanges, and collaboration with other regional networks.
Activities so far have included:
- Developing guidelines for management effectiveness
- Conducting bilateral interviews with SPAW-listed protected area managers
- Hosting in-person meetings of SPAW-listed protected area managers
- Delivering a series of technical webinars
Collaboration among MPA networks in the WCR
Collaboration among MPA networks is essential for strengthening conservation impact and making regional efforts more efficient. Since 2023, MPA networks come together to share experiences, identify synergies and explore opportunities for joint action at the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) Annual Conference. Discussions at the 77th Annual Conference of the GCFI highlighted key priorities such as creating a shared regional platform for knowledge exchange, developing joint capacity-building initiatives, preparing collaborative funding proposals, and ensuring multilingual accessibility.
The Third Meeting of the MPA Networks of the WCR will take place on 28 October 2025 in Cartagena, Colombia, alongside the 78th Annual Meeting of the GCFI. Participants will include representatives from regional MPA networks and initiatives such as CaMPAM, SPAW-listed PAs, MPAConnect, NAMPAM, and RedGolfo, as well as national managers, technical experts, NGOs, and other organizations.
Major Projects
Funded by the GEF and co-executed by the Secretariat, the GoM-LME project works to strengthen the management and monitoring of MPAs and other critical habitats in Mexico, Cuba, and the United States. Activities include promoting collaboration and exchange of experiences of MPA planning and management, developing standardized coral reef indicators for MPAs, creating early warning systems for coral bleaching and disease events, integrating national monitoring data into regional platforms, and contributing to the Report on the Status and Trends of Coral Reefs of the Caribbean: 1980–2024.
PROCARIBE+ Project: Protecting and Restoring the Ocean’s Natural Capital (2025–2027)
Funded by the GEF and co-executed by the Secretariat, the PROCARIBE+ Project strengthens MPAs and OECMs across the Wider Caribbean by providing technical support, training, and capacity-building for national authorities. Activities include direct support to the governments of Colombia and the Dominican Republic and the coordination of CaMPAM ToT courses.
Activities during the 2026-2027 biennium:
- Facilitate the creation or expansion of Marine and Coastal PAs and/or OECMs, and support capacity-building and cooperation among existing sites.
- Deliver regional training or capacity-building activities for PA/OECM practitioners across the WCR.
- Support the nomination process of new PAs for inclusion under the SPAW Protocol, providing technical assistance to national authorities.
- Facilitate joint initiatives or exchanges between other Caribbean and global PA networks to promote knowledge sharing, coordination, and visibility of PAs.
- Development and promotion of voluntary Regional Standards on Sustainable Tourism for the WCR, including training, adoption of Green Fins practices, and related communication efforts.
- Support governments of the WCR with the identification and management of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) under the CBD framework.
Guidelines
Under Article 21 of the SPAW Protocol, Parties agree to adopt common guidelines and criteria to support the conservation of marine and coastal species and the establishment of protected areas. The Secretariat and SPAW-RAC support the update and application of regional guidelines for MPAs and OECMs. These guidelines aim to promote sustainable resource use, protect critical habitats, and strengthen regional networks of protected areas.
The Guidelines and Criteria for the Evaluation of Protected Areas provide a framework for listing areas under the SPAW Protocol. These guidelines were reviewed and simplified by Protected Areas Working Group, chaired by SPAW-RAC. The update guidelines are pending endorsement at the SPAW COP13. Proposed areas must meet ecological, cultural, and socio-economic criteria and follow established protection, planning, and management measures.
As a general reminder, for listing of protected areas under the SPAW Protocol as per Article 7, Parties can nominate their Protected Areas to be listed under the Protocol and support the development network. For more information on the listing process, criteria and meetings to date visit here.
