Abstract

In 1997, the UNEP-CEP SPAW convened a meeting of 50 MPA managers from which CaMPAM was born. Since then, CaMPAM has adaptively evolved into a comprehensive regional program that aims at strengthening Caribbean marine managed areas at the site and national level through a variety of mechanisms. CaMPAM’s original focus was on providing training, information sharing, and communications. Shortly after, grants awarding for learning exchanges and small projects started. This experience allowed the capacity building program to evolve to address the MPA changing needs. Partnerships were established with interested organizations. More recently, a team of mentors has served as instructors and activities’ coordinators. The CaMPAM coordinating team has been sensitive to the needs and demands of the Caribbean MPA community. These needs have been captured through site visits, consultations with scientists and managers, surveys, training evaluations, project reports, requests from collaborating institutions, the intergovernmental meetings of UNEP-CEP ‘s Cartagena Convention’s Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol, etc. An assessment of CaMPAM performance was conducted by an external expert This paper describes CaMPAM tools, activities, resources and issues, examined by CaMPAM coordinator, founder, main collaborator, and the expert that assessed its performance.

PDF Preview