MASTER PLAN

FOR

THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL

PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM

Declared Marine Reserves

Caribbean Challenge

Bahamas 2020 Declarationn Bonn, Germany – May 2008

• Agreed to undertake a commitment to preserve our marine and terrestrial environments by meeting the targets established by the Convention for 2010 and 2012;

• Committed to effectively conserve at least 20% of the near-shore marine resources across The Bahamas by 2020; and

• Commited to a minimum of 50% of existing marine and 50% of existing terrestrial national parks and protected areas being effectively managed by 2020

Elements of the Master Plan –

Assessment Results & Appendices

A comprehensive master plan is built on the results of a series of assessments, which are

typically summarized in appendices including:

• Ecological gap assessment • Threat assessment • Management effectiveness

assessment • Capacity assessment • Equity and benefits assessment • Governance assessment • Policy enviornment assessment • Sustainable financing

assessment

Ecological Gap Assessment

Analysis of the extent to which focal biodiversity features are

sufficiently represented within a PA Network.

The Bahamas completed a 2008 Gap assessment as a first step and

We have just completed our second ( 2014) as a tool to prioritize areas for protection.

Bahamas Wide GAP Analysis Results for

Terrestrial Biodiversity Targets

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation

(Coppice)

Important Bird Areas

Rock Iguana

Pinelands

Scrublands

Target Specific Conservation Goal CBD minimum goal % Currently Protected

Bahamas Wide GAP Analysis Results for Marine

Biodiversity Targets

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Sand

Cetaceans

Coral walls (200-1000m)

Coral walls (30-200m)

Dense Seagrass

Mangroves

Medium Seagrass

Non-reef flat

Reef flat

Rocky shore

Sandy beach

Seabird (Higher Priority)

Seabird (Lower Priority)

SPAGs (Modeled)

SPAG (Unvalidated - 1)

SPAG (Validated - 2)

SPAG (Validated - 3)

Sparse seagrass

Tidal creeks

Turtle habitat

Turtle nesting beaches

Target Specific Conservation Goal CBD minimum goal

% Currently Protected

Developing the Master Plan –

Sustainable Finance

Steps in assessing sustainable finance: • Financial gap analysis • Assessment of PA management and

capacity needs • Development of cost estimates for

management needs • Screening and assessment of

existing and new funding mechanisms

• Formulation of financial plans at system and site levels with multi-year action plans

• Implementation of action plans • Measuring progress and adapting

plan

Financial Gap Analysis

FY09: • Current funding – B$6.0 Million • Funding needed – B$13.1 Million • Financial Gap – B$7.1 Million Over 10-year period: Financial gap – B$93.0 Million

GEF - FSP Building a Sustainable National Marine

Protected Area Network The Bahamas

• Creation of sustainable funding mechanism for the national protected area system

• Strengthening and expanding the MPA network

• Monitoring and Evaluation • Project Management

Pilot Projects Pilot Demonstration 1: Invasive Alien Species Pilot demonstration project 2, Incorporating Climate Change and Mangrove Restoration into Conservation Planning Pilot demonstration project 3, Tourism and Coral Reef Health

What are the benefits of implementing a STM in the Exuma Cays?

It ensures sustainable use of environmental resources; • Maintains essential ecological

processes and conserves natural heritage and biodiversity

• Respects the socio-cultural values of host communities in the Exuma Cays

• Ensures viable, resilient and long-term economic operations and socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders;

• Reaffirms The Bahamas’ position as a leader in innovative tourism management through the adoption of the first STM created in the region, which can be used as a model for other communities surrounding marine protected areas (MPAs).

Tangible Achievements as a result of

the Master Plan for Protected Areas

• March 2012 : National Park system expanded.

• Monitoring Protocols established for MPAS using the model from the ECLSP developed in Pilot Project 3

• New Forestry Legislation 2010 • BNT Act ammended in 2010 • Sustainable Tourism Plan for the

Exumas • Sustainable Finance Plan for the ECLSP • BPAF • Increased management capacity : 4 of

the 7 management plans have been completed.

• Capacity: Enforcement training for wardens and other enforcement agencies and development of GIS Unit for the BNT ( National Park Manager)