Regional cooperation on the Sargassum influx around the Wider Caribbean
Frédérique Fardin, Anne Fontaine, Alessandra Vanzella-Khouri, Karen Mc Donald Gayle
Sargassum Regional ConferenceSession 3, Moskito Island, BVI
SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI 2
Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea
28 Countries (37 States and Territories)
23 ratified the Convention~2.7 millions km2
16 ratified the SPAW Protocol
The Cartagena Convention: Geographic Scope
Cartagena ConventionAdopted 1983
Entered into force 1986
Cartagena ConventionAdopted 1983
Entered into force 1986
Oil Spills ProtocolAdopted 1983
Entered into Force 1986
Oil Spills ProtocolAdopted 1983
Entered into Force 1986
Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife Protocol
Adopted 1990Entered into Force 2000
Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife Protocol
Adopted 1990Entered into Force 2000
Land-based Sources of Marine Pollution Protocol
Adopted 1999
Land-based Sources of Marine Pollution Protocol
Adopted 1999
What is the SPAW protocol?
3SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
Sargassum issue : a new mandate
8th Conference of the Parties of the SPAW Protocol (Cartagena, December 2014)
The Parties agreed to add into the Work plan 2015-2016 an activity related to the Sargassum influx
4SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
SPAW-RAC initiatives since January 2015
• Identification of regional efforts and initiatives on
the Sargassum issue
• Support for collaborations and group discussions
5SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
•Massive and continuous period of Sargassum
influx between 2014 and the end of 2015
Growing concern about the Sargassum issue since 2014
6SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
• Increase in communication
•Massive and continuous period of Sargassum
influx between 2014 and the end of 2015
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Growing concern about the Sargassum issue since 2014
SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
CancunSargassum session LAC
LME
CancunSargassum session LAC
LME
Sargassum session
GCFI
Sargassum session
GCFI
Barbados Sargassum Symposium
Barbados Sargassum Symposium
GalvestonSargassum Symposium
GalvestonSargassum Symposium
Sargassum-related events since 2015
8SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
CancunSargassum session LAC
LME
CancunSargassum session LAC
LME
Sargassum session
GCFI
Sargassum session
GCFI
Barbados Sargassum Symposium
Barbados Sargassum Symposium
AntiguaOECS
Ministerial Council
AntiguaOECS
Ministerial Council
TrinidadACS / CMC
Symposium
TrinidadACS / CMC
Symposium
GalvestonSargassum Symposium
GalvestonSargassum Symposium
Sargassum-related events since 2015
Sierra LeoneRegional
expert meeting
Sierra LeoneRegional
expert meeting
HaïtiACS
Ministerial Council
HaïtiACS
Ministerial Council
9SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
Development of a growing networkResearch sector
University of Southern Mississippi, University of the West Indies, Florida Atlantic University, Texas A&M University, NASA, French IRD, GCFI
GovernmentsInternational Organizations
UNEP, Sargasso Sea Commission, Abidjan Convention
NGO, AssociationsWIDECAST, Waitt Institute
Private sectorEquipment suppliers, Tourism industry, Fishery
10SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
Sargassum on-line forum
0bjectives• gather the stakeholders, • gather and share information and experiences,• make links to other relevant partners,• promote discussion on specific issues.
11SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
Documents stored, Discussions, Calendar
Sargassum on-line forum
12SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
Do not wait anymore to join us!
More than thirty territories are already part of the network
Sargassum on-line forum
13SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
Our plan for 2016
On-going activities : • Cooperation with West Africa• Collaboration with international organizations• Encourage collaboration between research projects• Encourage and share feedback (impacts and
responses)• Gather and circulate scientific and technical
information
14SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
Our plan for 2016
• Develop a survey about the situation in the Caribbean
countries (impact, cost, governmental response, research)
• Develop synthesis on collect equipment and re-use
possibilities
• Collaborate for the organization of international meetings
• Form a regional Sargassum committee Regional strategy to face to the sargassum influx
15SPAW-RAC/UNEP-CEP, Sargassum Regional Conference, Moskito Island, BVI
Thank you for your attention!To join the on-line forum, please send an email to
mentioning your full name, organization and position.
Visit our websites : SPAW/RAC : www.car-spaw-rac.org
CEP/UNEP : www.cep.unep.org16