Abstract

MPAConnect is an initiative of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program and over 30 Caribbean coral reef marine protected areas (MPAs). In an assessment of regional MPA management capacity conducted by MPAConnect in 2017, fisheries management was identified as one of the three highest priority capacity building needs of participating MPA managers. Responding to this need, in 2018, MPAConnect and the Saba Conservation Foundation co-hosted a regional peer-to-peer learning exchange that focused on fisheries management for Caribbean MPA managers. With expert guidance and MPA manager mentorship, the MPA managers refined their site-specific fisheries management goals and determined what level of capacity their management programs would require to best achieve those goals in terms of monitoring/assessment and manage-ment action. Through sharing of best practices and peer experience, the MPA managers identified the fisheries management approaches that are most feasible and appropriate for their MPAs, and determined the necessary next steps, technical support and research needed to move forward with the fisheries management approaches. These site level needs represent meaningful opportunities for the GCFI community - technical experts, authorities, students, cooperation agencies and NGOs - to collaborate with Caribbean MPAs and help advance the application of fisheries management strategies in the region

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