Abstract

Fisheries in the Caribbean are dependent to a large degree on relatively small areas of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and wetlands. Fisheries management in the Caribbean has evolved to address not only the fishing practices and management of specific species, but also the protection of the habitats vital to the maintenance of said fisheries. However, these important habitats are under increasing threat from natural and anthropogenic factors. The primary mechanism developed to protect such critical habitats, and by extension the associated fisheries, is the establishment of marine protected areas. Yet the pace of establishment of marine protected areas has not produced the level ofhabitat protection and fisheries enhancement projected. The main reason for this lower than expected return from marine protected area management, in addition to resource inadequacies, is inadequate management capacity. This paper provides an overview of how protected area networks in the Caribbeanhave facilitated, not only improved management effectiveness formarine protected areas, but also increased linkages between marine protected areas and fisheries management. The paper focuses on the Network of Caribbean Marlne Protected Area Managers (CaMPAM), presenting it as a viable mechanism to enhance the capacities of Caribbean professionals involved in marine protected areas and fisheries management. This also includes potential link ages between CaMPAM and the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI).

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