Caribbean Island Enacts Ocean Zoning Regulations

The Barbuda Council has enacted new ocean management regulations that zone Barbuda’s coastal waters, strengthen fisheries management, and establish a network of marine sanctuaries. According to a National Geographic article on this these new regulations:

“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.”

Click here to read entire National Geographic article.