Pollution, including marine litter, plastics, sewage, oil and chemicals, impacts the value of the goods and services provided by the oceans, including quality of fisheries and the pristine marine environment highly valued by the tourism sector. The region is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of marine pollution due to the dependence of its people on natural resources in combination with its vast exposed coastlines. Understanding and addressing marine pollution in the region is an economic and social priority in addition to the environmental threat. Countries now recognize the potential of the ocean and are weighing policy shifts to protect their valuable coastal and marine natural capital to reap the full benefits of the Blue Economy.
This report provides an assessment of the status and impacts of marine pollution in the Caribbean and provides recommendations to enhance the region’s resilience as it steers toward the Blue Economy.
