Abstract

The session highlighted ongoing efforts in the Greater Caribbean on ecological and social connectivity in order to enhance cooperation and governance in the region. It is not the first time this concept was a focal area at GCFI. This session occurred one day shy of the 10th anniversary of a GCFI symposium on Caribbean connectivity held in Belize in 2006, led by the late Brian Keller, and Rikki Dunsmore. Papers from the symposium were published in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Marine Sanctuaries Conserva-tion Series (http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/science/conservation/pdfs/carib.pdf.) and are as relevant today as when they were first written. Natural and social connectivity across the Caribbean is nothing new. Connectivity has been a fundamental driver for Caribbean marine life and for its people. Many important changes to the resources have occurred across the region over that time. In the past 30+ years, we’ve seen dramatic ecosystem shifts in the Caribbean initiated by events such as the Diadema antillarum dieoff and the increasing frequency and intensity of coral disease outbreaks and bleaching events. The recent invasion of lionfish could make problems even worse. The impacts of humans in decimating fish spawning aggregations, and occasional mishaps like ship groundings and oil spills compromise our ability to restore ecosystems even in highly protected areas.

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