The Anguilla National Trust and Fisheries Unit have received a grant of EUR 587,024.10, from the European Union’s Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID) to enhance the management of the island’s six marine parks.
The 18-month project is being conducted in collaboration with the Fisheries Unit-Department of Natural Resources and the multi-stakeholder Marine Park Management Planning Committee. It focuses on developing management plans for Anguilla’s six marine parks, identifying the most appropriate and effective management framework for the marine parks, including the involvement of stakeholders within park management, developing sustainable financing mechanisms to support the long-term management of these sites, and building local capacity.
Recognising the value and importance of this funding to the long-term conservation and management of Anguilla’s marine resources, President of the ANT Council, Ms Avon Carty, states: “The Anguilla National Trust is thrilled to be able to to partner with RESEMBID, and other stakeholders, to advance the development of Anguilla’s marine parks. In our small islands, access to financial resources to protect our natural resources are often a challenge, and grants such as this, help us to make our vision and purpose come to life.”
In addition to creating plans and frameworks, grant funding will directly support the purchase of a vessel for the Fisheries Unit to support in-water research and management, filling a significant resource and capacity gap.
In 1993, the Government of Anguilla established a network of five marine parks including Shoal Bay-Island Harbour, Little Bay, Sandy Island, Prickly Pear, and Dog Island. In 2007, Sombrero Island Nature Reserve Marine Park was added to the list. The primary purpose behind the establishment of these marine parks was to protect vulnerable coral reef and seagrass beds from boat and anchor damage and other destructive boating practices, including the dumping of pollutants. Protecting these habitats is critical for the long-term health and resilience of the island and economy. Anguilla’s marine parks support coastal fisheries, form the basis of Anguilla’s multi-million-dollar tourism industry, and help to protect Anguilla’s coastline by acting as a barrier against powerful wave action and storm surges.
This project takes an approach that seeks to balance marine park use and critical biodiversity conservation. It also recognises the value and knowledge that marine park stakeholders bring to the development and implementation of management strategies within the context of both the environment and the economy.
For more information about this European Union-funded project, please contact the Anguilla National Trust at 235 5297 or by email at antadmin@anguillanet.com.
– Press Release
