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The Caribbean Reef Education and Training Initiative

The Caribbean Reef Education and Training Initiative. Project Overview. Statement of Purpose. Higher education and professional training to conserve the Caribbean’s coral reefs. Involved Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Project Coordinator: The University of the West Indies (UWI).

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The Caribbean Reef Education and Training Initiative

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  1. The Caribbean Reef Education and Training Initiative Project Overview

  2. Statement of Purpose Higher education and professional training to conserve the Caribbean’s coral reefs. Involved Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) Project Coordinator: The University of the West Indies (UWI). Project Partners: The University of Belize; and The College of The Bahamas.

  3. Locations and Duration Locations: The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Jamaica; and Trinidad and Tobago. Project lasts 36 months (ends 31 December, 2011).

  4. Location

  5. Budget Total Budget: EUR 629,693.66. EU Co-Funding: EUR 479,889.54. HEI Co-Funding: EUR 149,804.12

  6. Relevance Of Action Coral Reefs: Are foundation of tourism and fishing industries: White-sand beaches derived from reefs; and Fishing industry is largely reef-based; Account for one sixth of region’s jobs; Account for one third of region’s income; and Account for 500,000 tonnes of region’s food. Value of reefs = US$ 600,000 per km2 per year.

  7. Relevance Of Action Caribbean has lost more than 75% of living coral cover. All region’s corals may be dead within 40 years. Anthropogenic Degradation: Overexploitation; Pollution-induced disease; and Climate-induced bleaching (i.e., loss of colouration may cause death).

  8. Deterioration of Caribbean reefs well documented. Documentation undertaken by non-Caribbean nationals. Caribbean nationals: Ignorant reef devastation; and Underrepresented in reef management efforts. Reef management projects either: Lack suitably-trained personnel; or Not sustainable with staff on short-term contracts. Relevance Of Action

  9. Obstacles to more professionals and stakeholding: Few persons can deliver reef-based courses; Capable persons scattered around region; Outside training expensive and ineffectual; Inefficient duplication of effort between HEIs; No Caribbean-specific coral textbooks; and Field stations poorly equipped. Relevance Of Action

  10. Projected Results Staff development partnership between HEIs; Course entitled “Coral Reef Biology & Management”; Ten self- and peer-trained lecturers; 75 graduates entering workplace per year; Articulate lobby to change reef conservation policy; Region’s first textbook and practical manual; Website with course multimedia; Field stations with upgraded facilities; and Better-managed reefs and improved livelihoods.

  11. Questions & Comments Contact Information Dr. Judith M. Mendes or Dr. Mark A. Thomas The Caribbean Reef Education and Training Initiative c/o Bellairs Research Institute Folkestone St. James Barbados Tel: 1 (246) 422-2087 E-mail: creative@cavehill.uwi.edu

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