The ecologically and biologically rich waters of the wider Caribbean are home to over 16,000 species and 10% of the world’s coral reefs by area.   

The wider Caribbean is comprised of 24 countries and territories that are classified as Small Island Developing States, and its three adjacent large marine ecosystems (LMEs) are home to 15 areas recognized as ecologically or biologically significant.

The Caribbean has shown sustained political will for ocean conservation through regional efforts like the Caribbean Challenge Initiative. Caribbean governments have also demonstrated an interest in aligning with scientific recommendations for more ambitious protected area targets, particularly those in line with negotiations within the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The Blue Nature Alliance is committed to supporting the Caribbean at both the regional and national levels to increase Marine Protected Area (MPA) coverage and management effectiveness:

• At a regional level, the Blue Nature Alliance will partner with the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund to promote large-scale ocean conservation political advocacy, sustainable financing, and capacity building as a way to advance the region’s 30x30 vision.

• In the Bahamas, the Blue Nature Alliance will partner with the government and Bahamas National Trust to support improved management of an existing MPA network and create awareness regarding the 30x30 concept.

• In the Dominican Republic, the Blue Nature Alliance will partner with the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and Fondo MARENA to design and implement a roadmap aimed at protecting key areas of the country’s jurisdictional waters and putting in place foundational pillars to guarantee effective and lasting management of national large-scale protected areas. 

The overall engagement will support the Caribbean region in designating approximately 109,846 square kilometers of new protections and standing up essential systems to improve management, contributing to another 125,820 square kilometers. The Alliance’s goal is to help the Caribbean progress protection of 30% of its waters, thereby safeguarding some of the most extraordinary marine biodiversity, building climate resilience, and positioning the Caribbean as a global model for large-scale and networked ocean conservation.