As one of Jamaicas best examples of community-lead participatory management approaches, the East Portland Fish Sanctuary is a 6km2 no-take zone, comprised of critical and ecologically sensitive coastal resources including coral reef, seagrass, mangrove and deep reef habitats. It harbours both terrestrial and marine ecosystems with biodiversity of international significance and supports vibrant fishing communities and important spawning grounds that have strategic national value. The Alligator Head Foundation will continue to strengthen the protection of the East Portland Fish Sanctuary, implement mechanisms that promote more effective coordination and management of Jamaicas marine and coastal resources and rehabilitation of local communities that depend on fishing as a livelihood. The delivery of research, education and training initiatives will facilitate in greater awareness and stewardship by local fisherman and the wider community and empower communities to adopt more sustainable livelihoods. This interdisciplinary approach, coupled with the use of art, music and media aims to unite collective action and restore productivity, environmental sustainability and create thriving communities.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
Type of commitment
PLASTICS
- Coastal clean-ups
- Plastics recovery/recycling/reuse
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
- Large Marine Ecosystem approach
- Ecosystem-based Adaptation
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
Type of commitment
- Coastal carbon sinks/blue carbon
- CO2 emission reductions (energy efficiency, renewable energy, etc.)
- Scientific research and cooperation to address ocean acidification knowledge gaps
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
- Science-based fisheries management plans
- Ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF)
- Eco-labelling, traceability, certification programmes
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
Type of commitment
- No take marine protected area
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Type of commitment
- Economic benefits from sustainable fisheries
- Economic benefits from sustainable tourism
- Economic benefits from sustainable aquaculture/mariculture
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
Type of commitment
- Transfer of fishing technology
- Access to coastal fishing grounds
- Access and capacity building for eco-labelling and traceability systems
- Community empowerment for fisheries management
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want
Type of commitment
- Activities to raise awareness of the comprehensive legal and policy framework for the sustainable development of oceans and seas, in particular UNCLOS, its Implementing Agreements and other relevant ocean-related instruments and promote their effective im
- Strengthening ocean governance, for example through the development of a national ocean policy or regional ocean policy
12/2020
Build capacity of the East Portland Fish Sanctuary, develop a Ridge to Reef vision of integrated coastal management for Portland and strengthen the working relationship of the Jamaican Fish Sanctuary Network
12/2020
Implement specific adaptation measures including coastal habitat restoration and alternative livelihood strategies with coastal communities
12/2025
Increase the generation and application of scientific knowledge to influence the management of the East Portland Fish Sanctuary and the Jamaica Fish Sanctuary network
12/2025
Support the Government of Jamaica in an Island Wide programme to reduce plastic pollution, find grassroots solutions to support major change in plastic use and establish an Ocean Literacy for All initiative for Jamaica
