Protected and conserved areas are important management tools for biodiversity conservation, and effective management is critical in order to fulfil designated aims and objectives. Recent data from the WDPA (World Database on Protected Areas) suggests that while global protected area coverage has increased, only 20% of all WDPA listed sites have reported management effectiveness evaluations (Protected Planet Report, 2018).This statistic highlights the importance of action on the ground to improve the assessment of management effectiveness across protected areas, in order to conserve biodiversity and safeguard livelihoods.

The BIOPAMA Caribbean Team has been working across the Caribbean region to improve Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) through training workshops and facilitation of METT Assessments, whilst providing technical support to build capacity amongst protected area managers and staff across the Caribbean region, these efforts are highlighted below.

St Vincent & the Grenadines

The BIOPAMA Caribbean team conducted Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) Assessments in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from March 4th – 8th, 2019. Site Assessments were conducted for The South Coast Marine Conservation Area (SCMCA), the King’s Hill Forest Reserve (KHFR) and the Tobago Cay’s Marine Park (TCMP) using The Advanced METT Tool. The BIOPAMA team also toured The Ashton Lagoon and Mustique Marine Protected Area.

Participants noted the assessment was informative and comprehensive and the process allowed managers to be more focussed and strategic in targeting management practices.

Key elements emanating from the workshop were identified as;

• The identification of a focal point in each management agency to facilitate the implementation of this process.
• Conducting Annual METT assessments.

Belize

The BIOPAMA Caribbean Team and Caribbean Protected Areas Gateway facilitated Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) Assessments in Belize from 19 -21 March 2019. Site Assessments were conducted for The Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve, South Water Caye Marine Reserve and Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve using the Advanced METT Tool. Participants were also introduced to the Caribbean Protected Areas Gateway and The Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas.

St Lucia

BIOPAMA facilitated a Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) National Workshop in Saint Lucia, 9-12 April 2019. The aim of the workshop was to deliver technical training in the PAME framework and select assessment tools; Support tool selection for conducting future site level assessments; and provide technical support in the review of the Pitons Management Area Management Plan (2003). The workshop was well received with twenty five (25) participants from various government and non-governmental organisations appreciating the process and detailed tool review.