The Government of Montserrat commits to a science-driven and community-led marine spatial planning process to foster the sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable use of ocean resources for present and future generations. Through the marine spatial planning process and in accordance with Aichi Target 11, the Government of Montserrat commits to protecting 10% to 30% of its marine environment as a no-take marine reserve. The Government also commits to implement a new fisheries management framework to restore fish stocks and develop a sustainable FAD fishery for offshore pelagic species. Furthermore, Montserrat will develop a Montserrat Ocean Trust through the existing Montserrat National Trust system to support the sustainable financing of ocean management, research, education and capacity building.
These commitments support Montserrat's international obligations under the Organisation for Eastern Caribbean States, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, and other international commitments. To achieve these commitments, the Government is partnering with the Waitt Institute through Blue Halo Montserrat, a joint Initiative to develop and implement solutions for sustainable ocean management. The Government is also partnering with the JNCC, the UK Government Adviser to the Government of Montserrat on Ocean Governance.
Progress reports
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Type of commitment
- Community or Locally Managed Marine Areas
- Integrated Coastal Management
- Marine Spatial Planning
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
Type of commitment
- Compliance, monitoring and enforcement
- Reduction and elimination fishing practices and gear that destroy/degrade marine habitat
- Science-based fisheries management plans
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
- Scientific, socioeconomic and interdisciplinary research
- Research capacity development
- Data access and sharing
- Training and professional development
- Scientific cooperation
December 2017
