Threatened and Endangered Species

Conservation of Threatened and Endangered Species

The Wider Caribbean Region is home to a diverse range of species including marine mammals, sea turtles and coral species, many of which are considered threatened or endangered. Threats currently facing coastal and marine species include unsustainable fishing practices and gear use, coastal developments and pollution.

Aware of the crucial importance of species, Articles 10, 11 and 21 of the SPAW Protocol call for the implementation of programmes in order to protect the species listed under Annexes I, II and III.

The main objectives of this programme element are to:

• Build consensus in the region on priorities for the conservation and management of threatened and endangered species, including migratory species, as well as those species not yet threatened but requiring action to prevent them from being threatened and endangered;
• Implement priority activities of existing species recovery and management plans developed under the framework of SPAW;
• Develop, as appropriate, adequate management plans and programmes for priority species of regional concern, including those of economic importance; and
• Address the growing threat of invasive alien species (IAS) that could negatively impact on SPAW species and WCR habitats, especially marine or coastal IAS.

The activities during the 2019-2020 biennium currently focus on migratory species including marine mammals and sea turtles, as well as support the control / management invasive species and Sargassum.

 

Marine Mammals

• The Caribbean Marine Mammals Preservation Network (CARIMAM) project funded by the EU (€2,903,178.24) and headed by the AGOA Sanctuary from the French Biodiversity Agency and the SPAW-RAC is currently underway. The project aims to:
  • create a network of marine protected areas dedicated to the preservation of marine mammals in the region
  • strengthen the skills of managers
  • develop common management and evaluation tools
  • implement draft partnership agreements with Dutch and Dominican sanctuaries.
• An update of the Action Plan for the Conservation of Marine Mammals in the Wider Caribbean Region (MMAP) is underway. 
  • You can read the summary factsheets here
• Finalization and implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the Secretariat and the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to improve awareness of, collect data on, and mitigate the effects of, ship strikes and entanglements on whale and dolphin species in the region.

 

Sea Turtles

In collaboration with the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), the following activities have been given priority during the biennium:

• The Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST) completed a comprehensive digital atlas of all known sea turtle nesting beaches, a total of 1,341 sites in 45 WCR countries (and including Brazil)
• Support the elaboration of Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plans (STRAPs) in countries that do not have plans.
• Support existing STRAPs through the implementation of national priority actions, in particular the provision of training as it relates to educators (teacher training), law enforcement officers, veterinarians and first responders.
• Collaborate further with the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC)on STRAP development and other sea turtle activities in the Workplan to ensure that work is not duplicated.
• Continue to promote standard guidelines and criteria for Index Site monitoring at sea turtle foraging grounds in the WCR and provide training for nesting beach and in-water population monitoring.

To date 14 STRAPs have been produced for:

1. Antigua and Barbuda
2. Aruba
3. Barbados
4. Belize
5. British Virgin Islands
6. Jamaica
7. Netherlands Antilles
8. Panama
9. St. Kitts and Nevis
10. St. Lucia
11. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
12. Suriname
13. Trinidad and Tobago
14. Venezuela

 

Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

• Support to regional invasive alien species efforts in collaboration with relevant partners, particularly with regards to the lionfish invasion is ongoing.
• Greater collaboration with CITES continues towards enforcement on illegal trade of species via the development of the regional wildlife enforcement network (Caribbean Wildlife Enforcement Network - CaribWEN).
• Sharing general data across the Region and research on Sargassum through improved response coordination and information sharing between countries throughout the region on how to control the brown algae Sargasssum. Activities include:
• coordination of an on-line forum to facilitate the sharing of regional data and establishment of a Working Group on Sargassum (implemented through the SPAW-RAC)
• Update of the Secretariat’s White Paper
• Coordination of a cohesive Sargassum response between the Secretariats of the Cartagena and Abidjan Convention
• Coordination of Sargassum-related projects and events throughout the region and development of new partnerships and research opportunities (e.g. workshop participation via the International Atomic Agency
• First International Conference on Sargassum