Pioneering a blue-green economic development model for coastal adaptation, livelihoods and sustainability in St. Vincent

The densely populated South Coast of St. Vincent is the epicentre of tourism activities on the mainland.  It hosts the majority of the island’s hotel accommodation, has a full-service marina and is a key fish landing site. The SCMCA is the island’s only marine protected area, featuring mangrove, seagrass and coral reef ecosystems.

However, critical ecosystems and the rich biodiversity, including Elkhorn corals, reef fish and other marine species, are threatened by climatic hazards and pollution. The nature-based tourism and fisheries sectors that are key to local employment and income face many challenges – damage to property, infrastructure and assets (including boats, gear and jetties), as well as disruption to markets and increasing operating costs.

Ecosystem loss and degradation of the South Coast results from unplanned development, increasing commercial and recreational activities, including unsustainable practices by the tourism and fisheries sectors such as  the harvesting of parrotfish within the conservation area. Pollution from inadequate solid and liquid waste disposal systems further stresses the environment. These factors have resulted in a significant decline in live coral cover as well as a decline in fish biomass. Water quality is sub-optimal in some areas, with implications for public health and recreational activities.

 

About the Project

The goal of the project is to enhance ecological and socio-economic resilience on the South Coast, St. Vincent through piloting a local blue-green economic development model that protects, restores and sustainably uses coastal and marine ecosystems.

The project adopts a landscape approach to addressing the key risks from climate change and land-based pollution within the SCMCA and surrounding communities and watersheds.

 

How will this project benefit the Caribbean region?

This project will support key regional policies, such as the Caribbean Community Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change, particularly its goal to enhance adaptation in coastal and marine ecosystems (Goal #5). It also aligns with the Eastern Caribbean Regional Ocean Policy by contributing to building climate resilience (Goal 7.1). Additionally, the project will help St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) achieve its commitment to safeguard 20% of nearshore marine resources under the Caribbean Challenge Initiative.

By creating model blue-green enterprises with local communities, the project will establish a foundation for sustainable livelihood development, which can be scaled and replicated across other Caribbean islands, promoting resilience and sustainable economic growth throughout the region.

 

What activities are we undertaking to achieve this?

1. Scaling up EbA solutions for coastal and watershed rehabilitation.
2. Reducing threats and developing blue-green enterprises in tourism and fisheries.
3. Strengthening capacity, partnerships and investments.

 

What have we achieved so far?

• Conducted desk reviews and scoping of target communities to understand local context and vulnerabilities.

• Conducted adaptation planning with the target communities to identify appropriate EbA solutions based on ecosystem valuation and existing vulnerability assessments.

• Implemented scaling up of coral restoration within the SCMCA, working with Serenity Dive in consortium with Dive St. Vincent and Dive Antilles.

• Implemented coastal and river clean-ups in collaboration with the National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority (NPRBA) and local CSOs.

• Designed a draft watershed rehabilitation plan in collaboration with the Forestry Department. The focus is on scaling up riparian revegetation and river clean-up to address flooding and land-based pollution

• Supported 9 MSMEs to apply CANARI’s Local Green-Blue Enterprise Radar and Climate Proofing Enterprises tool and adopt sustainable resource use practices, business models and resilience measures, via mentoring and micro-financing.

• Administered micro-grants for strengthening participating MSMEs.

• Drafted three stewardship action plans (for marine tour operators, hospitality providers and small-scale fishers).

• Supported an alliance of government and community-based organisations to implement advocacy/awareness-raising campaign on issues related to unsustainable practices, enhanced stewardship and conservation in the SCMCA, drawing on capacity building/training.

• Published a GIS Storymap on Coastal Ecosystems and Stewardship in the SCMCA.

• Conducted a learning exchange to the Tobago Cays Marine Park.

• Conducted training in advocacy and awareness communications for government and civil society stakeholders.

• Conducted a training workshop on project proposal writing for management organisations, CSOs and other key stakeholders in the SCMCA.

• Drafted a revised management plan for the South Coast Marine Conservation Area and terms of reference for a multi-stakeholder coordinating committee.

 

What activities are we undertaking?

• Conducting ecosystem valuation to support further scaling up of EbA measures within the South Coast.

• Implementing local stewardship actions.

• Finalising the SCMCA management plan and establishing a multi-stakeholder coordinating committee.

• Developing public-private-civil society partnerships.

 

Recent project news and information

• Coverage of the World Oceans Day Clean up, Energize Earth, June 8, 2024

• Proposal Writing Workshop – Interview with SVGTV, May 27, 2024

• Public Awareness Campaign – Champions of the South Coast: Promoting Awareness and Action

• CANARI, SVG partners launch Earth Day 2024 schools’ video competition– St. Vincent Times, April 28, 2024

• Press release – Earth Day 2024 Schools’ Video Competition

• CANARI puts out requests for coral restoration – Post in St. Vincent Times, April 23, 2024

• International Day of Action for Rivers clean-up – Interview with SVGTV, March 19, 2024

• Conserving & Protecting St. Vincent’s South Coast Vulnerable Ecosystems

• Stakeholders charting a course towards resilient, inclusive, blue-green economic development in the South Coast region of St. Vincent

• Conserving and Protecting St. Vincent’s South Coast’s Vulnerable Ecosystems (article in SVG Times, June 16, 2023)

• Vincentians can expect to hear more about the blue-green economy and greater involvement of communities through local organisations (SVG TV interview, February 9, 2023)

• Opening of a 3-day participatory planning workshop on ecosystem-based adaptation and blue-green economic development in the south coast of St Vincent (television news coverage, January 31, 2023)

 

Project-related communications

GIS Storymap on Coastal Ecosystems and Stewardship in the SCMCA

 

More information on this project

• Project brief
• Contact Lehome Johnson, Senior Technical Officer, lehome@canari.org

 

Related programmes

• Resilience
• Equity and Justice