CaMPAM Network and Forum
The Role of CaMPAM
The use of MPAs has become increasingly popular in the wider Caribbean region as a tool to conserve biodiversity, address fishing impacts, decrease user conflicts, and achieve other management goals. This has resulted in substantial knowledge gained on optimal site selection and design, successful outreach approaches, effective management strategies, and appropriate methods to evaluate their effectiveness. Difficulties in exchanging information on lessons learned continue to constrain informed decision-making due to the geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural complexities of the Caribbean region. At the same time, communication among professionals has become progressively more vital given the increasing scientific interest in the examination of biophysical connectivity across the region. As MPAs continue to be proposed and implemented, the efficient exchange of information is now more critical than ever.
About CaMPAM
This initiative brings together MPA researchers, administrators, managers, and educators from governmental entities and non-governmental organizations as well as the private sector in an inclusive network to exchange ideas and lessons learned through a variety of mechanisms. CaMPAM is guided by a steering committee that identifies strategic objectives for the Network and is comprised of partners and managers of MPAs. serves as the CaMPAM coordinator.
The Programs of CaMPAM
The Training of Trainers
Since 1999, 7 regional courses for MPA Managers (totaling ca. 110 participants) have been delivered (Saba, Netherlands Antilles); Parque del Este (Dominican Republic); the Soufriere Marine Management Area (St. Lucia); two at the Florida Keys NMS (Florida, USA); and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (Tulúm, Mexico), and the Buccoo Reef Marine Park (Trinidad and Tobago). These courses were funded by several donors and also received in-kind contributions from local experts and institutions and have had great impact locally and nation-wide. Approximately 60 follow-up local training activities (with more than 1200 persons trained in ca. 25 countries and territories) have been implemented by the alumni of the regional courses, which have had great impact locally and nation-wide. The training manuals are comprised of 8 modules in both English and Spanish on Caribbean MPA planning, management, research, monitoring and regional policy, along with communication and teaching skills, a bibliographic list with more than 300 bibliographic references hyperlinked to pdf files, as well as class presentations.
The MPA Database
The purpose of the CaMPAM database is to provide a resource detailing the numerous marine areas in the region, and to make that resource accessible to those interested in examining a number of variables. The database is comprised of 77 fields focusing on identity, legal, biophysical and management parameters. The Database is becoming a standardized repository of detailed information for Caribbean MPAs and a resource for producing regional analyses and periodic reports.
The Small Grants Program
With funding provided since 2005 by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the SPAW Programme of the UNEP CEP has made available a Small Grant Fund administered by GCFI for promoting sustainable fishing practices and alternative livelihoods for fishers. This fund forms part of the CEP/SPAW initiative to develop adequate management plans and programmes for priority species of regional concern including those of economic value. Check back for Requests for Proposals as they become available Funded Projects