When did you join the CCI?
The Bahamas formally made its 2020 Declaration in Bonn, Germany at the Ninth Conference of the Parties for the Convention on Biological Diversity in May 2008.
Why did your government join the CCI?
The Bahamas joined the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI) in an effort to meet its obligations of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA) under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The country, along with other Caribbean countries were struggling to meet the goal of the PoWPA of effective management of protected areas on their own for various reasons.
How is the CCI important to marine and coastal conservation in the Caribbean?
The CCI is extremely important to marine and coastal conservation in the Caribbean as the region is one of the world’s hotspots in terms of biodiversity. Working with one effort, the Caribbean countries participating in the CCI have been more successful at creating and managing protected areas as the CCI has increased capacity in various areas such as funding and technical expertise.
How has the CCI enhanced conservation in your country (What have you achieved since the CCI was established?)
Since the inception of the CCI, The Bahamas has declared its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as the first shark and ray sanctuary in the Americas, increased the footprint of national parks to over two million acres, banned long line fishing established the Bahamas Protected Areas Fund (BPAF) Act, 2014.
What are your country's main conservation priority actions under the CCI?
The Bahamas’ main priority actions under the CCI are the establishment of the Bahamas Protected Areas Fund (BPAF), the provision of sustainable financing for the BPAF and also the expansion of the marine protected areas system.
How is the CCI approach different from past approaches to marine and coastal conservation?
Past approaches to marine and coastal conservation have taken place at the national level. Partnering at the regional level with the CCI has brought marine and coastal conservation to the forefront, highlighting both the environmental and economic significance these systems provide. This has allowed the Bahamas to access funding to promote sustainability in marine protected areas in both the tourism and fisheries sectors.
Who is your CCI focal point?
- name: The Hon. Kenred M. A. Dorsett, M. P.
- title: Minister of the Environment and Housing
- phone: +1 (242) 322-6005
- email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
