Small Grants Fund

Together, these projects contributed to a more resilient and effectively managed network of Marine Managed Areas across the Eastern Caribbean. 

Strengthening Surveillance and Security at La Caleta Underwater National Park (Dominican Republic, 2013) 

La Caleta Underwater National Park is one of the Dominican Republic’s most successful examples of marine protected area (MPA) management. The park integrates local communities into both management and economic activities, demonstrating how sustainable practices such as self-regulation, mooring buoy installation, responsible fishing, and ecotourism can benefit coral reef health and local livelihoods. 

Through funding from UNEP-CEP, the SPAW Regional Activity Centre, and the Government of Italy under the Caribbean Challenge Initiative, Reef Check Dominican Republic implemented a project to strengthen compliance and enforcement in the park. The initiative culminated in a workshop on regulations and codes of conduct for authorities and users, aiming to improve surveillance capacity, enhance law enforcement, and engage communities in long-term conservation. 

Antigua and Barbuda–Dutch Antilles Marine Protected Area Learning Exchange (2012) 

This learning exchange provided MPA managers from Antigua and Barbuda the opportunity to observe and learn from the well-established marine management systems of St. Eustatius and Saba in the Dutch Antilles. The visit focused on practical lessons in enforcement, community engagement, research, and financial sustainability. Participants also attended the Dutch Antilles MPA Managers Meeting to explore opportunities for regional collaboration and coordination. 

Supported by UNEP-CEP, the Government of Italy, and the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI), the exchange strengthened participants’ understanding of how to develop self-sustaining, effectively managed MPAs. The experience critical as Antigua and Barbuda works toward building a coordinated national MPA system grounded in best practices and regional cooperation.

Exchange Visit of Fishermen and MPA Staff from the Soufrière Marine Management Area to Puerto Morelos National Park (Mexico, 2011) 

As part of a regional learning exchange, one young fisherman and two staff members from the Soufrière Marine Management Area (SMMA) in Saint Lucia traveled to Puerto Morelos National Park, Mexico, to share experiences and learn about successful marine management and alternative livelihoods. The visit, held alongside the 64th GCFI Annual Conference, allowed participants to interact with peers from Mexico and Nevis, compare reef conditions, and observe how local fishers in Puerto Morelos transitioned from fishing to sustainable tourism through MPA-supported initiatives. 

Supported by UNEP-CEP through CaMPAM and GCFI, with funding from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the exchange also included a workshop on lionfish management while St. Lucia had just recorded its first lionfish sighting. Upon returning home, participants shared their experiences with local fishers and community members, raising awareness, collaboration, and stronger support for marine conservation within the SMMA. 

Exchange Between St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation and St. Kitts and Nevis Marine Resources Stakeholders on Lionfish Management (2011) 

The St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) organized a successful lionfish management workshop on the island of Nevis. The exchange focused on raising awareness and building local capacity for the safe handling and management of the invasive lionfish, a growing threat across the Caribbean. Having implemented its own lionfish action plan early on, St. Eustatius shared its expertise through Marine Park Manager Jessica Berkel and Park Ranger Anna Maitz, who served as lionfish management consultants for the week. 

Presentations and demonstrations reached a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, and students to charter boat crews, fishermen, and the general public. Media interviews helped spread the message even further, reflecting a high level of community interest. The most rewarding part of the exchange was engaging directly with local fishers at landing sites, who showed strong enthusiasm for learning new handling techniques and exploring opportunities to market lionfish as a commercial product. 

Community Education on Lionfish Management in Capurganá / Sapzurro, (Colombia, 2012) 

ICRI Colombia coordinated a community-focused lionfish management project along the Caribbean coast in Capurganá, Sapzurro, and La Miel, successfully engaging over 300 participants through ten educational meetings. Stakeholders included fishermen, dive operators, boaters, hotel and restaurant owners, and local authorities. The project strengthened communication between the community and regional authorities, promoted sustainable lionfish fishing and trade, and raised awareness of coral reef conservation. 

Participants were introduced to the ecological, social, and economic benefits of lionfish management, including tasting sessions and hands-on guidance for catching and selling lionfish. Educational materials and activities for schoolchildren encouraged long-term stewardship of reefs and freshwater resources. The campaign’s success led to the program being extended to San Andrés Island and was showcased at the 65th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute annual meeting as a model of community-led coral reef co-management. 

Exchange Visit to Seaflower Biosphere Reserve (Grenada, 2012) 

As part of the UNEP-CEP Caribbean Challenge Project Exchange programme, staff from Grenada Marine Protected Areas visited San Andrés, Colombia, to learn from the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve and share experiences with regional counterparts. The visit included workshops with environmental managers, park rangers, fisheries personnel, and marine biologists from multiple Caribbean countries, focusing on sustainable management of shared marine resources. 

During the exchange, participants explored MPA zoning, coral restoration projects, and initiatives to balance tourism, fisheries, and community development. Presentations and discussions highlighted participatory approaches, transboundary resource management, and regional collaboration, providing Grenada’s MPA staff with lessons applicable to their local sites, including the Grenada Bank shared with St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Exchange Between the Dominican Republic and Cuba (2012) 

MPA managers and staff from the Dominican Republic participated in an exchange visit to Cuba, coordinated by UNEP-CEP and funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the Caribbean Challenge Initiative. The trip was implemented by the DR Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and Reef Check DR, with logistical support from Cuba’s Protected Area National Council (CNAP). 

Participants spent the week visiting CNAP headquarters, the Flora and Fauna Enterprise, Guanahacabibes National Park, Maria La Gorda dive site, and the Cienega de Zapata RAMSAR wetland, observing firsthand Cuba’s coral reef conservation, sustainable tourism initiatives, and mangrove management. Beyond field visits, the exchange fostered personal interactions and cultural exchange, building stronger regional networks and collaboration between neighboring Caribbean MPAs. 

Capacity Building Among Northern Lesser Antilles MPAs (2011) 

 MPA managers and staff from Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten, Saint-Barthélémy, Anguilla, Saba, Statia, and Saint-Kitts & Nevis met to strengthen collaboration and share experiences across English, Dutch, and French territories. The meeting promoted the creation of a unique MPA network in the northern Windward Islands, addressing shared environmental and economic challenges and exploring the establishment of a joint task force for scientific monitoring. 

Participants exchanged knowledge on management practices, funding mechanisms, and conservation strategies, identifying topics for future technical workshops, including standardized scientific protocols, mooring systems, and lionfish data collection. To maintain collaboration between meetings, the group planned to communicate through a dedicated email forum for updates and information sharing, ensuring ongoing capacity-building and regional coordination. 

Exchange Between Fishers from Southern Belize and Punta Allen, Mexico (2011) 

Eleven fishers from Southern Belize visited Punta Allen and Banco Chinchorro in Mexico to learn sustainable fishing practices, reserve management, and alternative livelihoods. Coordinated by the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) and funded by GCFI, the five-day exchange exposed participants to lobster fishing techniques, cooperative management, and community-led conservation practices. 

The Belizean fishers observed firsthand how Mexican cooperatives promote respect, compliance, and collaboration, while linking fisheries with tourism to support year-round livelihoods. On their return, participants applied these lessons locally, and TIDE, in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society, and Belize Fisheries Department, organized forums to share knowledge, discuss Managed Access implementation, and strengthen fishers’ engagement in sustainable fisheries management. 

Cuba–Colombia Exchange on MPA Capacity 

A Cuban delegation of five marine professionals visited Colombia’s Seaflower Marine Protected Area as part of a UNEP-CEP and SPAW-RAC supported exchange to strengthen regional MPA management. Hosted by CORALINA and the Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Park, the visit focused on sharing best practices in sustainable fisheries, tourism planning, coral reef restoration, and alternative livelihoods for artisanal fishers. Participants also discussed management plans, carrying capacity within parks, and community rights related to resource use. 

The Cuban team engaged directly with local fisher associations, community promoters, and tourism operators, gaining practical insights into participatory conservation and livelihood diversification. Lessons from the exchange were applied in Cuba through a series of workshops with local stakeholders, and the team produced a short documentary capturing the visit. The collaboration concluded with a signed agreement between CORALINA and Cuba’s National Center for Protected Areas to continue joint efforts in marine conservation across the Caribbean. 

Capacity Building in Sea Turtle Conservation in Colombia (2011) 

This exchange program strengthened Colombia’s local sea turtle conservation efforts through collaboration between the Conservación de Tortugas Marinas en Necoclí project and the internationally recognized Sea Turtle Conservancy in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Three community monitors from Necoclí joined the Tortuguero Green Turtle Program as research assistants, gaining hands-on experience in monitoring and conservation techniques. Their participation enhanced local expertise and contributed directly to the development of conservation initiatives along Colombia’s Caribbean coast. 

The trained monitors led workshops in their local communities such as El Lechugal and Mulatos, sharing new skills and promoting sea turtle protection. One participant also represented the project at the II Symposium on Sea Turtle Conservation in the Colombian Caribbean. Supported by CORPOURABA, Fundación Conservación Ambiente Colombia, Sea Turtle Conservancy, GCFI, and UNEP-CAR/RCU, this exchange successfully built local capacity and improved collaboration for marine conservation in the Wider Caribbean. 

Belize Turtle Watch Programme (2011) 

The Belize Turtle Watch Program, led by ECOMAR in partnership with the Belize Fisheries Department, GCFI, WWF, and PACT, was launched to monitor the impacts of climate change on Belize’s sea turtles. Through the 2011 Belize Sea Turtle Census, coastal residents, tour guides, and property owners contributed valuable data on turtle sightings and nesting activity. A national workshop brought together 27 participants from Belize and Mexico for classroom and field training in sea turtle biology, nesting monitoring, and conservation techniques, fostering collaboration among marine biologists across the region. 

The programme also engaged local communities through the Adopt a Beach initiative, encouraging resorts, organizations, and individuals to monitor nesting beaches and hatchlings. In-water turtle assessments were conducted in several MPAs, involving local fishers trained to assist as citizen scientists. Data collected supported an update to Belize’s Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan (STRAP), helping identify threats, mitigation strategies, and renewed conservation objectives for the future of sea turtle protection in Belize. 

Building Capacity for Rights-Based Management in Belize 

An exchange visit between Belizean fishermen and managers to Banco Chinchorro and Punta Allen, Mexico, strengthened local capacity for rights-based fisheries management. Participants learned from Mexico’s successful cooperative model, where fishers manage their own fishing grounds sustainably while benefiting from eco-tourism and community-led governance. The experience inspired Belizean participants to adapt similar practices within their own managed access areas, emphasizing collaboration, respect for regulations, and the balance between conservation and livelihoods. 

Building Stronger Linkages Among MPAs on the Grenada Bank (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) 

The Sustainable Grenadines project strengthened collaboration among MPAs across the Grenada Bank, an archipelago shared by Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. By aligning workplans, facilitating exchanges among MPA managers, and developing an online communication tool, the initiative promoted shared learning and reduced management conflicts. Visits between Sandy Island/Oyster Bed and Tobago Cays Marine Park staff allowed practical exchanges on enforcement, coral monitoring, and stakeholder engagement. This effort advanced the Caribbean Challenge commitments by fostering a cohesive network of MPAs that manage shared marine resources collaboratively and inclusively. 

Training for Fishermen from Sandy Island/Oyster Bed MPA, Grenada, by Fishermen in Dominica on the Use of Fish Aggregating Devices  

To address the loss of livelihoods from new fishing restrictions in the Sandy Island/Oyster Bed MPA, Grenadian fishers participated in a training exchange with Dominica’s Fisheries Division to learn Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) techniques. Funded by GCFI, the program provided hands-on instruction in constructing and deploying FADs to target pelagic species outside protected zones. Upon returning home, participants trained their peers, sharing sustainable fishing knowledge that both reduced pressure on reefs and created viable alternative income opportunities. The initiative fostered regional fisher-to-fisher collaboration and strengthened local capacity for adaptive, ecosystem-based management. 

Conservation and Culture Find Compromise on (St. Kitts) 

In St. Kitts and Nevis, where open turtle harvesting remains a cultural practice, the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network partnered with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Ross University, and the Fisheries Department to offer fishers alternative livelihoods. Through capture-and-release programs and eco-tourism activities, participating fishers earn income while protecting sea turtles instead of harvesting them. Education programs complement these efforts, promoting awareness of conservation’s long-term benefits. This innovative initiative bridges tradition and sustainability, ensuring that both cultural heritage and marine biodiversity can thrive for future generations. 

Training of Fishermen in Fish Farming (Belize) 

In response to declining catches and increased fishing pressure, Belize’s Fisheries Department and the National Fishermen Cooperative implemented a training program in tilapia farming. Funded through the GCFI Small Grants Program, the two-day workshop provided 30 fishers with theoretical and practical instruction in aquaculture, including site management and regulatory compliance. Field visits to active farms showcased real-world examples of sustainable fish production. By promoting aquaculture as an alternative livelihood, the initiative helped reduce pressure on Belize’s reef fisheries while enhancing economic resilience for coastal communities. 

Fly-Fishing Training Workshop for Artisanal Fishers (Dominican Republic and Venezuela) 

When visa issues prevented Dominican fishers from traveling to Venezuela, the exchange was relocated to Punta Cana, where a Venezuelan fly-fishing expert led a five-day workshop with support from Reef Check DR and the Punta Cana Ecological Foundation. Eight artisanal fishers learned fly-fishing techniques, client management, and sustainable recreational fishing practices as an alternative livelihood. The project inspired optimism among fishers eager to transition from unsustainable practices to eco-friendly tourism ventures. The initiative also strengthened local partnerships to sustain training and promote community-based, conservation-oriented income opportunities. 

Caribbean Fishers Collaborating on Sustainable Gear and Techniques (Grenada, 2009) 

The Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO) hosted a regional exchange in Grenada, uniting fishers from nine countries to share best practices on sustainable fishing gear and ecosystem-based management. Supported by UNEP, GCFI, and SIDA, the event featured interactive sessions and practical demonstrations, allowing participants to evaluate and recommend responsible fishing methods for species such as lobster, reef fish, and pelagics. The workshop strengthened fisher leadership and regional cooperation, equipping participants to promote practices that sustain both livelihoods and marine ecosystems across the Caribbean. 

Gladding Memorial Award Regional Fishers Summit – Fishers Working for Sustainable Fisheries (2004) 

The Gladding Memorial Award (GMA), established by GCFI and UNEP, honors fishers who champion marine conservation and sustainable practices. Building on this legacy, the GMA Regional Fishers Summit brought together award recipients, fisherfolk leaders, and partners to shape a shared vision for sustainable fisheries management. Through storytelling, dialogue, and strategy sessions, participants developed a “framework for action” to enhance fisher participation in regional governance. The summit celebrated fishers as ambassadors for responsible resource use and reinforced their role as key stakeholders in shaping the Caribbean’s marine future. 

Overall, the Small Grants Fund has proven to be one of CaMPAM’s most impactful mechanisms, catalysing community empowerment and enabling practitioners to exchange practical knowledge while advancing regional commitments under the SPAW Protocol.