European Overseas Coastal and Marine Protected Areas: Overview of coastal and marine conservation efforts in European outermost regions and overseas countries and territories

Abstract

This publication has been made possible by funding from the French Development Agency (AFD).The designation of geographical entities in this document and the presentation of the materials do neither imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN.

Spatial Ecology of Sub-Adult Green Turtles in Coastal Waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands: Implications for Conservation Management

“…The islands of Grand Turk, Providenciales, and South Caicos host the majority of the human population, and the economy is supported largely through tourism, offshore finance, and fishing (Richardson et al, 2009). The TCI has an extensive network of 23 MPAs covering approximately 679 km 2 , representing more than 70% of MPA in all the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) in the Caribbean (Martinez et al, 2017). Turks and Caicos Islands' MPAs are regulated under the National Parks Ordinance (revised 2014) and are categorized as either National Parks, Nature Reserves, Sanctuaries or Areas of Historical Interest, each with differing statutory management regimes, including restrictions on taking flora and fauna, with Sanctuaries providing the highest level of protection (Turks and Caicos Government, 2014).…”

“…This study was carried out exclusively on the Caicos Bank, along the southern coast of Middle and East Caicos and within the boundaries of the North, Middle, and East Caicos Nature Reserve (Figure 1), a RAMSAR site designated in 1990, covering an area of 568 km 2 and where the extraction of turtles is prohibited (Martinez et al, 2017). Located within the RAMSAR protection site is a smaller MPA (Vine Point and Ocean Hole Nature Reserve) where the take of any animal or plant by any method is prohibited (Turks and Caicos Government, 2014).…”

Extinction risk, reconstructed catches, and management of chondrichthyan fishes in the Western Central Atlantic Ocean

“…Ineffective management and enforcement of marine protected areas (MPAs) is also common (Bustamante et al, 2014; Perera-Valderrama et al, 2018). In addition, extractive activities are allowed in many MPAs; only 0.5% of the protected areas in the Caribbean associated with European Union and UK Overseas Territories prohibit all extractive activities (Martinez et al, 2017). Generally, funding for enforcement is insufficient and the detection of illegal activity is too infrequent to encourage compliance (although it varies by sub-region; Singh-Renton & McIvor, 2015).…”

“…Territories prohibit all extractive activities (Martinez et al, 2017). Generally, funding for enforcement is insufficient and the detection of illegal activity is too infrequent to encourage compliance (although it varies by sub-region; Singh-Renton & McIvor, 2015).…”

“…The WCA is geopolitically complex, with more maritime boundaries in the Caribbean alone than in any other Large Marine Ecosystem (Martinez et al, 2017). It also contains highly developed, large countries with extensive fisheries management regimes (e.g., United States) alongside economically challenged small island developing states with limited management capacity (e.g., Haiti).…”