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The MPA Name Park. The past and future of the Montego Bay Marine Park Trust. Tropical Beach. Park Boundaries and Sanctuary Area. 100m/330ft/50 Fathom Depth Contour to The Average Highest High Tide Mark. 50 Fathom/100M Depth. Great River Point. Bogue Lagoon Fish Sanctuary.
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TheMPA NamePark The past and future of the Montego Bay Marine Park Trust
TropicalBeach Park BoundariesandSanctuary Area 100m/330ft/50 Fathom Depth Contour to The Average Highest High Tide Mark 50 Fathom/100M Depth Great River Point Bogue LagoonFishSanctuary
History of Park Management 1990: Divers recognized a decrease in fish to the point that the industry was suffering and began working for a protected area 1992: the National Parks Act declared the Montego Bay Marine Park protected area, to be managed by the Planning Institute 1996: Local management was delegated to the Montego Bay Marine Park Trust under a co-management agreement with the Government of Jamaica
How the Trust Operates Delegation For 2007/8: A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NEPA • Formally appoints the Trust as local manager of the Park in a Co-Management agreement • Provides basic funding for management and enforcement • Reviewed and renewed annually Further Funding of 07: • Private local donors • National Parks Trust Fund • A portion of Park area beach fees • Local donor agencies • Project grants, sponsors and partners • Memberships and private support
Park Problems and Challenges Overfishing/Overharvest: Solid Waste: Sewage: Sewage Treatment: Coastal Development: Public Education: Tourism facilitation: Environmental/Scientific monitoring: Oil and chemical pollution: Hillside agriculture: Hillside construction: Sustainable development: Wildlife monitoring and rescue: Anchor damage: Deforestation: Laws and politics: …….
For 2007/8: - We chose the one problem with the biggest “bang for the buck”, a fisheries management initiative coined: -GROW FISH- : as improved fish populations lead directly into the pockets of Montegonians through improved tourism and catches.
Ground-Programmes 1992: PIOJ’s aggressive enforcement without education lead to chronic conflict… but improved stocks 1996: Interpretive Enforcement was adopted with Trust takeover. 1996-2004: Academic sociological research of the local Fisher Communities provided insight and built trust. 1998: The Trust performed the fisherman’s sensitization programme. 2005: Fishers Permitting Programme: issued Park permits to every fisherman working in the Bay who completed training in ecology and regulations
-GROW FISH- Work: -Repeat the ‘05 permitting project -Place signs -Rigorous enforcement (Military Police) -Setting of new no-fishing zone at high-value area (Will be done with the fisher folks) Outcomes: More fish, bigger fish, more kinds of fish Improved general tourism product and more diverse tourism opportunities More productive fishery outside of zone(s) and Park Return of high-value SCUBA industry
Expected Outcome: 3-fold improvement in fish populations -size, number and species diversity- within 18 months. Montego Bay regains its world-class SCUBA diving product and status in two years. Fisher catches and incomes improved out- side the protected area.
Setting the Stage: Rebuilding work of 2007: - Renewal of NEPA delegation including base-funding - Sourcing and hiring more staff - Effective, visible enforcement - Fisher sensitization and re-building communications/trust - Equipping, empowering and partnerships for enforcement
Into ‘08 Managing the Fishery: - Regulation compliance - No-Fishing zones - Fisher re-employment - Academic monitoring and reporting And Selling Our New Fish - Valuation of living fish through tourism - Facilitation and enhancement of Eco-friendly tourism - Fisher re-employment
Tourism- our vision The Park’s core contribution is a Bay full of beautiful marine life on healthy and vibrant coral reefs. We will be working in: Branding of Montego Bay/the Park as a beautiful, user-friendly Eco-destination. Working with private and public stakeholders for responsible MoBay development Developing sustainable attractions combining the coastal and inland, natural and cultural aspects of the area.
Tourism Development -Partnership Guidelines To provide: Formal Use and Control of Space Fisher Employment Park Trust income Minimal environmental impact, maximum “greenness”
Example Projects Park’s Website Fish-Food Bogue Lagoon Eco-tour MBJ Docks at Kent Ave. MoBay Water-Taxi Howard Cooke Blvd Park Sea-Turtle Restoration Park Technical SCUBA diving product Branching Coral Restoration Public Boating Dock Mariculture
Seeking Partners and Volunteers for ‘08/’09/’10 Decorative Signs Vigilance,Reporting and Enforcement Reef and Environmental Monitoring Marine Rescue Team Dive Club: photography and videography Mooring Maintenance Website Inputs/Contributions Coral and Mangrove Restoration Beach Clean-Ups Turtle Watches Gloucester Ave “Bluing” Painting ...
Designation Type • Bouge Lagoon - Fisheries Sanctuary • Montego Bay - Marine Park Law/Agreement Bouge lagoon • Fisheries Industry Act • National Resources Conservation Act Montego Bay Marine Park • Fisheries Industry Act • National Resources Conservation Act
Admin Organization For the Bouge Lagoon • Fishing Industry Act, Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act For the Montego Bay Marine Park • NEPA & MBMPT
Budget & Staffing Annual budget needed (USD) • $300,000 Annual budget available (USD) • $100,000 Sources of funding (organization & amount) • Government & other donors Number of Staff (Permanent) • 4
Species Bouge Lagoon Key Species • red mangroves, conch, crabs, snapper and parrot fish Invasive Species • Mostly Terrestrial: Willow, Coconut (Cocus nusiferus) and Mongoose
Montego Marine Park Key Species • Mangroves, corals, black sea urchin, parrot fish Invasive Species • Mooring Sponges and Algae
Summary • Research • Quality Testing (water and fish stock and type) • Education (Solid and Liquid waste) • Money Generation (User fees system)
Thank you MPA URL www.mbmp.org Contact Person Omar Ebanks Contact email manager@mbmp.org Contact number 1-876-952-5619 Fax 1-876-940-0659