Caribbean Challenge
Bahamas 2020 Declarationn Bonn, Germany – May 2008
• Agreed to undertake a commitment to preserve our marine and terrestrial environments by meeting the targets established by the Convention for 2010 and 2012;
• Committed to effectively conserve at least 20% of the near-shore marine resources across The Bahamas by 2020; and
• Commited to a minimum of 50% of existing marine and 50% of existing terrestrial national parks and protected areas being effectively managed by 2020
Elements of the Master Plan –
Assessment Results & Appendices
A comprehensive master plan is built on the results of a series of assessments, which are
typically summarized in appendices including:
• Ecological gap assessment • Threat assessment • Management effectiveness
assessment • Capacity assessment • Equity and benefits assessment • Governance assessment • Policy enviornment assessment • Sustainable financing
assessment
Ecological Gap Assessment
Analysis of the extent to which focal biodiversity features are
sufficiently represented within a PA Network.
The Bahamas completed a 2008 Gap assessment as a first step and
We have just completed our second ( 2014) as a tool to prioritize areas for protection.
Bahamas Wide GAP Analysis Results for
Terrestrial Biodiversity Targets
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation
(Coppice)
Important Bird Areas
Rock Iguana
Pinelands
Scrublands
Target Specific Conservation Goal CBD minimum goal % Currently Protected
Bahamas Wide GAP Analysis Results for Marine
Biodiversity Targets
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Sand
Cetaceans
Coral walls (200-1000m)
Coral walls (30-200m)
Dense Seagrass
Mangroves
Medium Seagrass
Non-reef flat
Reef flat
Rocky shore
Sandy beach
Seabird (Higher Priority)
Seabird (Lower Priority)
SPAGs (Modeled)
SPAG (Unvalidated - 1)
SPAG (Validated - 2)
SPAG (Validated - 3)
Sparse seagrass
Tidal creeks
Turtle habitat
Turtle nesting beaches
Target Specific Conservation Goal CBD minimum goal
% Currently Protected
Developing the Master Plan –
Sustainable Finance
Steps in assessing sustainable finance: • Financial gap analysis • Assessment of PA management and
capacity needs • Development of cost estimates for
management needs • Screening and assessment of
existing and new funding mechanisms
• Formulation of financial plans at system and site levels with multi-year action plans
• Implementation of action plans • Measuring progress and adapting
plan
Financial Gap Analysis
FY09: • Current funding – B$6.0 Million • Funding needed – B$13.1 Million • Financial Gap – B$7.1 Million Over 10-year period: Financial gap – B$93.0 Million
GEF - FSP Building a Sustainable National Marine
Protected Area Network The Bahamas
• Creation of sustainable funding mechanism for the national protected area system
• Strengthening and expanding the MPA network
• Monitoring and Evaluation • Project Management
Pilot Projects Pilot Demonstration 1: Invasive Alien Species Pilot demonstration project 2, Incorporating Climate Change and Mangrove Restoration into Conservation Planning Pilot demonstration project 3, Tourism and Coral Reef Health
What are the benefits of implementing a STM in the Exuma Cays?
It ensures sustainable use of environmental resources; • Maintains essential ecological
processes and conserves natural heritage and biodiversity
• Respects the socio-cultural values of host communities in the Exuma Cays
• Ensures viable, resilient and long-term economic operations and socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders;
• Reaffirms The Bahamas’ position as a leader in innovative tourism management through the adoption of the first STM created in the region, which can be used as a model for other communities surrounding marine protected areas (MPAs).
Tangible Achievements as a result of
the Master Plan for Protected Areas
• March 2012 : National Park system expanded.
• Monitoring Protocols established for MPAS using the model from the ECLSP developed in Pilot Project 3
• New Forestry Legislation 2010 • BNT Act ammended in 2010 • Sustainable Tourism Plan for the
Exumas • Sustainable Finance Plan for the ECLSP • BPAF • Increased management capacity : 4 of
the 7 management plans have been completed.
• Capacity: Enforcement training for wardens and other enforcement agencies and development of GIS Unit for the BNT ( National Park Manager)
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