SPAW Newsletter N°26
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SPAW NEWSLETTER N° 26 November 2020 Protocol and Programme
Transcript of SPAW Newsletter N°26
SPAW NEWSLETTER
N° 26November 2020
Protocol and Programme
Mee�ng and workshops have gone virtual #COVID19
News• SPAW-RAC Call for proposals in 2020............................................ 3• SPAW STAC Prepara�ons............................................................... 4• In memory of Paul Hoetjes .......................................................... 5
Projects• Marine mammals......................................................................... 5• Carib’Coast project....................................................................... 6• ACP-MEA III .................................................................................. 9• CLME+ - Cartagena Conven�on and The Ocean Founda�on ....... 9
Briefs• Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease ..................................................10• Herbivorous Fish Partnership with AIDA.....................................10• SPAW RAC Team ..........................................................................11
SUMMARY
CaMPAM Caribbean Marine Protected Areas Management Network and ForumCARI’MAM Caribbean Marine Mammals Preserva�on NetworkCEP Caribbean Environment ProgrammeCRC Coral Restora�on Consor�umDCNA Dutch Caribbean Nature AllianceGCFI Gulf Caribbean Fisheries Ins�tuteGCRMN Global Coral Reef Monitoring NetworkIUCN Interna�onal Union for Conserva�on of NatureMPAs Marine Protected AreasMMAP Marine Mammals Ac�on PlanPAs Protected AreasSPAW Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife Protocol of the Cartagena Conven�onSPAW-RAC Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife - Regional Ac�vity CentreUN Environment-CEP United Na�ons Environment Programme - Caribbean Environment Programme
Contacts
Commonly used acronyms
UN Environment-CEP14-20 Port Royal StreetKingston, JAMAICATel.: +876 922-9267-9 Fax: +876 922-9292Email: [email protected]
CAR-SPAWDEAL de GuadeloupeRoute de St Phy97102 Basse-Terre - GUADELOUPE (FWI)Tel. : +590 590 99 43 73Email: [email protected]
SPAW-RAC Call for proposals in 2020COVID-19 has had a nega�ve impact on manyprojects resul�ng in start-up delays, withdrawalof funding, and weakened ins�tu�onal support(especially non-governmental organiza�ons[NGOs]).
In light of this, and in order to strengthenstakeholder capacity via funding for projectsfocused on regional biodiversity, in June 2020 the
SPAW-RAC launched on its funds a call forproposals for short-term grants (€5,000 - 10,000for between 4 months to 1 year).
Countries that have ra�fied/signatories to theSPAW-Protocol were priori�zed, par�cularlythose with challenges to access tradi�onalfunding sources .../...
News
Call for proposals - Result of short-term Small Grants 2020# Beneficiaries Projects Countries/territories
1 Department of Fisheries and MarineResources of Anguilla
An investigation of the state of Anguilla’sparro�ish populations, for improvedmanagement of the species
Anguilla
2 Environmental Conserva�on Organization –ECOMAR
Belize Turtle Nes�ng Beach Monitoring Program Belize
3 BirdsCaribbean Conserva�on of West Indian Whistling-Ducks(Dendrocygna arborea) in Cuba through a statusassessment
Cuba
4 S�ch�ng Internos – Mangrove Maniacs Regional Mangrove Restora�on Workshop Bonaire (with attendeesfrom various countries)
5 Fragments of Hope Expanding Reef Replenishment Efforts with theCri�cally Endangered Caribbean Acroporid Coralsto northern Belize
Belize
6 Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza yla Sustentabilidad - FINS
How the Neotropical otters are doing in theMesoamerican Caribbean?
Mexico and Belize
7 Roatan Marine Park - Asociación Amigos delParque Marino de Roatán
Promo�ng Responsible Seafood Choices byEnhancing Ecological and Social ResponsibilityManagement of Lobsters within Roatan BayIslands
Honduras
8 BirdsCaribbean Teaching youth to know and appreciateCaribbean Birds - Produc�on of Endemic Birds ofthe West Indies Colouring Book in Spanish andFrench
Spanish and frenchspeaking countries andterritoires of theCaribbean
9 Environmental Awareness Group - EAG Assessment of Newly Discovered LeptocereusPopula�on on An�gua to Determine Taxonomicand Conservation Status
Antigua-and-Barbuda
10 Nature 2 / Park work Using management effec�veness to strengthenspecies conserva�on in the Caribbean
Dutch caribbean
11 Ocean Spirits Inc. Mobilizing ci�zen scien�sts for biodiversitymonitoring and threat mi�gation at remoteGrenadine Islands
Grenada and Saint-Vincent-and-the-Grenadines
12 Kap Natirel Rékin-ADNe : toward a standardized monitoringchondrichtyans populations in the Caribbean byusing environmental DNA
French west indies
13 Fundación Providence and Parques nacionalesde Colombia
Coral restoration in the Parque Nacional NaturalOld Providence McBean Lagoon Caribecolombiano
Colombia
14 Sociedad Ornitológica de la Hispaniola Conserva�on and restora�on of Bicknell's Thrushhabitat in eastern Bahoruco
Dominican republic
15 Des requins et des hommes TIDENT, First evaluation of sawfish status andmanagement in French Guiana and FrenchAn�lles
French Guiana andFrench west indies
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Proposals with a focus on species annexed underthe SPAW Protocol especially plants, birds, fish(including elasmobranchs), and sea turtles werealso given priority – but this did not preclude otherproposals.A number of qualifying factors were taken intoaccount, such as the proposal’s innova�veness,how well it addressed the primary goals of theProtocol, the capacity of the lead organiza�on andits partners, and the implementa�on schedule.Of the 37 proposals received, 15 have been
selected for funding ( approximately €100,000).
The SPAW-RAC is currently exploring alternateassistance mechanisms for those proposals whichwere not selected in this round. And importantlyto upscale the call by looking for funders to launchsimilar calls in 2021!
(Stay Tuned)
Preparations underway for the NinthMeeting of SPAW’s Scientific andTechnical Advisory Committee (SPAWSTAC9), 17 - 19 March 2021In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and for the first�me in its history, the Cartagena Conven�onSecretariat will be hos�ng its biennialintergovernmental mee�ngs virtually(simultaneous transla�on in French and Spanish)in March and June 2021 respec�vely#savethedate.
The SPAW STAC 9 is scheduled to take place 17-19March 2021 and will see discussions on the workaccomplished for the 2019-2020 biennium andplans for 2021-2022. This will be followed by theProtocol’s 10th Conference of the Par�es (SPAWCOP10) in June 2021 (date to be decided).
Preparatory sessions dedicated to the worksconducted though the newly reendorsed workinggroups requested during the last STAC but alsoother significant subjects will be organised by theSPAW-RAC with likely the same organisa�on we
developped for the cari’mam workshop (seebelow). Every week in February/ early March, aspecial session of 2 hours will be help with focalpoints and willing observers of the protocol onspecific subjects allowing to start preparing theSTAC discussion : coral reefs, marine mammals, atransversal session about developping regionalcoopera�on for the species and encouragingexemp�ons, new proposals...This will also allow to start preparing for therecommenda�ons of the STAC including thereview of the proposals for new addi�ons to theSPAW lis�ngs. The organisa�on is s�ll open andwill be finalised within the working groups and theSecretariat.
Keep checking the Secretariat’s and SPAW-RAC’swebpage and social media for updates anddocuments.
Paul Hoetjes’ �reless engagement and dedica�on to the implementa�on of the SPAW Protocol for over two decades, hasresulted many resolu�ons about species and ecosystems of the WCR. He was a champion for biodiversity in the WiderCaribbean Region but also one of the warmest, most skillful person to work with. He is deerly missed. Recently re�red, hewas always a great guide for SPAW and SPAW-RAC, s�ll being commi�ed to the end with the SPAW ac�vi�es and networks:the STAC working groups, GCRMN-Caribbean, Cari'MAM, WIDECAST… This year he was involved in most of the ac�vi�espresented below. He also contributed with other experts to new species proposals with a par�cular a�en�on to parro�ish,some sharks and rays but also to improve regional collabora�on for species already protected (turtles and marinemammals). We all strive to keep his work alive, and hope for good resolu�ons for the future. We dearly miss him.
In memoriam Paul Hoetjes
Friday November 13th Paul Hoetjes passed away.With great apprecia�on we think back to Paul’scommitment to nature policy and conserva�on inthe Caribbean Netherlands.
Paul has dedicated his en�re working life to themanagement, conserva�on and development ofnature in the Caribbean. He started working atthe government of the Netherlands An�lles.When the Netherlands An�lles was dissolved in2010, he came to work for the Netherlands in theCaribbean Netherlands.He not only limited himself to the three islandsBonaire, Sint Eusta�us and Saba, but alsorepresented the Netherlands in manyinterna�onal trea�es, research projects and
partnerships.His broad knowledgeand network spans theen�re Caribbeanregion and the Pacific.It was a privilege towork with Paul not onlybecause of hisknowledge andnetwork but also as aperson.When you went on amission with him,everyone, fromgovernor to ci�zen,approached him withkindness and respect.
For Paul, hiscommitment to nature
was not just his job, but his genuine passion. Hehas served as an inspira�on to many over theyears, as an expert to everyone interested in thenature of the Caribbean, and as a driving forcebehind many processes and projects.
In par�cular, his heart went out to the Saba Bank,the pearl of coral in the Caribbean. Thanks toPaul’s involvement, it is now a na�onal park.In that area Paul also has his dive site: Paul'sCathedral. Paul's name and spirit will always beassociated with us through, among countlessother things, the Saba Bank and the YarariSanctuary.
From Dutch Caribbean Islands.
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Marine mammalsTechnical Review of the SPAWMarineMammal Action Plan (MMAP)The MMAP which was dra�ed in 2008, has forsome �me been in need of an update toappropriately guide Contrac�ng Par�es of theSPAW Protocol concerning the conserva�on ofmarine mammals. To facilitate this update, 2consultants were hired by the SPAW-RAC at theend of 2019 to conduct a scien�fic and technicalrevision of this important document. The firstdra� which was presented during the lastmee�ng of the marine mammal working group(october, 2020), received posi�ve feedback fromthe members. The final dra� is currently underreview by the working group to enablepresenta�on and comple�on at the upcomingSPAW STAC9.
Proposal to support sustainable whale-watchingin the WCRIn accordance with past SPAW COP decisions andrequests by regional stakeholders, the SPAW-RACthrough the CARI’MAM project is working todevelop and promote tools for the developmentof a sustainable marine mammal/whale-watchingindustry.There is a proposal to encourage the use of a labelpromo�ng sustainable commercial marinemammal observa�on in the WCR which will bedeveloped with input from SPAW experts.Addi�onal proposed measures include capacitybuilding, public educa�on and awareness, alongwith outreach ac�vi�es.
The interna�onal legal framework for supervisionof the label is currently being assessed through ananalysis of exis�ng regula�ons and measureswhich can be implemented in the region. Variousscenarios will be iden�fied and included in thefinal document for submission to the STAC.See more on the SPAW-RAC’s website.
Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) © Claire Pusinéri.
Approach limits of marine mammals - © Conruyt Pascal.
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Projects
• 4th CARI’MAMWorkshop (virtual)The 4th CARIMAM mee�ng was organized from 29 October to 26 November 2020 under the theme“month of CARIMAM” with a new topic of focus for each week. Presenta�ons from CARI’MAM partnerswere posted online at the beginning of the week followed by a 2 hour online discussion at the end of eachweek.
CARI’MAM weekly topics• week 1 : knowledge acquisi�on and scien�fic monitoring,• week 2 : threats, protec�on and awarness raising,• week 3 : marine mammals watching• week 4 : Marine protected area and management plan and ar�cula�on between local and Caribbeanscale ,• week 5 : outlook and expecta�on for the follow ups of a Caribbean marine mammal network.
This month of CARI'MAM was an intense moment of sharing and dialogue. The numerous contribu�onshave undoubtedly contributed to the success of this session wich gathered around 40 par�cipants from 9different countries of the wider caribbean region.
Carib’Coast project• The 3rd Steering Commi�ee mee�ng which wasoriginally scheduled to take place in Puerto-Rico,was held virtually in June 2020. The mee�ngprovided an opportunity to review progress bypartners and address issues .The 4th Steering Commi�ee mee�ng took placeNovember 11/27 to con�nue dialogue withproject partners.• MSc student Julia Bos who joined the team for a6 month (March-August 2020) internship, hashelped with the produc�on of variouscommunica�on material (posters and videos)
along with marine ecosystems connec�vity tools.
- The videos will reflect the coral reefs, seagrassmeadows, and mangroves of the Caribbean in avariety of ways to reflect their important role inthe provision of ecosystem services (e.g. coastalprotec�on, erosion mi�ga�on, climate regula�on,etc.), the threats they face, and steps to protectand restore these habitats.- The posters will reflect similar informa�onthrough colourful and engaging illustra�ons(examples below).../...
Marine ecosystems posters - © Bos Julia.
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Beach vegetation regrowth.
• Pilots sites have been implemented inGuadeloupe by the Na�onal Forest Office –regenera�on enclosures have been placed at 2
sites to enable regrowth of upper beachvegeta�on and mi�gate persistent erosion byretaining sand thanks to their strong root system.
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Good news!The website for the Carib’Coast project is now up and running – check out all project ac�vi�es andprogress
Protected Areas and Conservation• Capacity building related to Mul�lateralEnvironmental Agreements (MEA) in African,Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries – ACP-MEAs Phase III (ACP-MEA III)
This 4 year (2020-2024) EU funded project(USD1,961,264) executed by the CartagenaConven�on Secretariat will address the challengesassociated with the sound management ofchemicals and waste, marine pollu�on, coastalerosion/protec�on and steps to curb loss ofbiodiversity. Phase III of the project began in Spring2020 and as with previous phases, will promotethe sharing of experiences and lessons learned, aswell as cross-func�onal integra�on with otherpartners. Specific Secretariat ac�vi�es will include:- Reinforcement of Regional Seas Conven�onsGovernance Frameworks and associated protocols- Development of regionally representa�venetworks of MPAs covering interconnected marinehabitats and ecosystems for restoring andsustaining the health of the oceans- Reduc�on of the influx of waste (plas�cs andother forms of human/industrial liquid and solidwaste) entering the marine environment of the 4regions .../...
Read the full ar�cle: h�ps://car-spaw-rac.org/?Protected-Areas-and-Conserva�on
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� Collabora�on under the United Na�onsDevelopment Programme/GlobalEnvironment Facility (UNDP/GEF) CaribbeanLarge Marine Ecosystem (CLME+) Project –Cartagena Conven�on and The OceanFounda�on
The Secretariat through its SPAW and pollu�on(AMEP/LBS) Sub-programmes in collabora�onwith The Ocean Founda�on (TOF), is developingthe “CLME+ baseline and (pre) feasibilityassessment and investment plan for large-scale ac�on on habitat protec�on andpollu�on preven�on” under the UNDP GEFCLME+ Project. This ac�vity aims to join effortson interna�onal agendas, such as the Decade ofRestora�on (2021-2030) which calls for therestora�on of degraded and destroyedecosystems to combat the climate crisis andimprove food security, water supply, andbiodiversity; the Sustainable DevelopmentGoals (SDGs), specially SGDs 6, 13, 14, 15; theStrategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020; andthe Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
As one of the most biologically rich marineenvironments in the Atlan�c, the WiderCaribbean Region is highly dependent on itsmarine and coastal resources. The growingimpacts of unsustainable coastal development,climate change, overfishing, and marinepollu�on threaten the viability of the region'smarine and coastal ecosystems.../...
Read the full ar�cle: h�ps://car-spaw-rac.org/?Collabora�on-under-the-United-Na�ons-Development-Programme-Global-Environmentfor more informa�on
Coral Reefs• Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD)SPAW-RAC has been very involved in this issue in2020. We a�ended two mee�ngs for the FWI, onefor Guadeloupe and St-Mar�n and the second forMar�nique. We joined the SCTLD CaribbeanCoopera�on Team in September 2020 andpresented the FWI situa�on. Our role is make the
link between the FWI and the regional groups tobroadcast informa�on in both ways. In accordanceto the SCTLD-CCT work, ac�on plans have beenbuilt for each french territory depending on thedisease stage they face. Contacts with Dominicahave also been made.
• Herbivorous Fish - AidaThe Interamerican Associa�on for EnvironmentalDefense (AIDA) and the SPAW Protocol havedeveloped a collabora�ve alliance to regulateherbivores fish species associated with vulnerableecosystems such as coral reefs. Through AIDA’spar�cipa�on as an ac�ve observer at the STAC andas part of the effort to cul�vate this partnership,they provided input to the RSAP concerning theprotec�on of spawning aggrega�ons and banningthe use of spearguns and traps.
In collabora�on with SPAW focal points, the SPAW-RAC, and the Cartagena Conven�on, AIDAdeveloped a factsheet providing keyrecommenda�ons for the protec�on of
herbivorous fish species and hosted virtualseminars to increase awareness in the WCR.
This partnership has also resulted in jointeduca�on and outreach ac�vi�es, as well asdiscussions on how to improve regula�ons ofparro�ish in the Western Central Atlan�c FisheriesCommission (WECAFC).
Future ini�a�ves include the development of aproject to nominate 16 Caribbean species ofparro�ish for inclusion under Annexes II and III ofthe SPAW Protocol (this will be an ini�a�ve of theSTAC species working group).
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Elisabeth FRIESI am very pleased to join the SPAW-RAC team and work for the preserva�on of specially
protected areas and wildlife in the Caribbean Region.During this year, I will help prepare the Scien�fic and Technical Advisory Commi�ee in
collabora�on with the experts from the signatory countries of the SPAW Protocol.I graduated from Montpellier SupAgro a�er having specialized in poli�cal sciences and
ecology in AgroParisTech. Then, I have worked for a year in Mexico with fish farmers as anadviser to help them comply with biodiversity protec�on Laws. A�erwards, I followed a
Master’s course at University College London and expanded my knowledge ofinterna�onal coopera�on as regards sustainable resources management. Last year, I
worked for an organism in Brazil that promotes sustainable use of coastal and Caa�ngaecosystems. I look forward to pu�ng my energy into the SPAW-RAC projects and I am
excited to keep on working for biodiversity protec�on at an interna�onal scale.
Claire PUSINERII am thrilled to join the SPAW-RAC. I have been working for almost 20 years on the
study and conserva�on of large pelagic marine fauna and in par�cular marinemammals in the temperate and tropical Atlan�c Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
I strongly believe regional networks are key tools to strengthen marine mammalconserva�on and I look forward to contribute to CARI’MAM project.
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Camille CAUMETTEOriginally from Guadeloupe, I le� the island in 2013 to study in Canada. I would go on to
graduate from UQAM with a Bachelor of Arts in Interna�onal Rela�ons and Law, andlater from McGill University with a Master of Science in Integrated Water Resources
Management.In my studies I focused on several topics of interest that I am par�cularly passionate
about, including access to water by First Na�ons Peoples, tradi�onal methods of watermanagement, and water resources challenges faced by the insular territories of the
Caribbean.Eternally cap�vated by the ocean and finally returned to Guadeloupe, I am thrilled totake part in the SPAW-RAC’s work, and to get involved in this excep�onal region of the
Caribbean.
New additions to the SPAW-RAC TeamMarine DIDIER
Graduated in interna�onal rela�ons and poli�cal sciences from Sciences PoStrasbourg, my main interest has always been geopoli�cs, especially in the
Mediterranean region, which led me to conduct research in Lebanon on the trashcrisis that striked Beirut in 2016. Since then, I have decided to dedicate my careerpath to the protec�on of the environment and focused my various experiences onthis one goal. Therefore, I am delighted to join the Carib-coast project that allows
me to grow through both my passions, interna�onal rela�ons and theenvironment, and to discover the fascina�ng Caribbean region.
