Port of Spain, October 9, 2020 – CARICOM stakeholders consulted by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) have recognised the importance of ocean biodiversity and are calling for regional collaboration and strong stakeholder involvement in global efforts to ensure CARICOM people get equitable access to and shared benefits from the ocean.  Today, CANARI launched an online GIS Story Map which explores what a new global treaty on the ocean would mean to Caribbean people.

The ocean covers about 72% of the Earth’s surface and almost two-thirds of this lies in areas beyond the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of countries, where no one nation has any authority.  CARICOM negotiators have called for development of a strong international, legally binding, agreement to conserve and sustainably use marine Biodiversity in areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (the BBNJ Agreement).

Click here to read the full release.

Photo: Leatherback turtle headed out to sea from a beach on the east coast of Trinidad. PHOTO BY NATURE SEEKERS.