The MPA Name

ParkThe past and future of the

Montego Bay Marine Park Trust

Park Boundaries and Sanctuary Area

50 Fathom/100M Depth

Great River Point

Tropical Beach

Bogue Lagoon Fish Sanctuary

100m/330ft/50 Fathom Depth Contour

to

The Average Highest High Tide Mark

History of Park Management1990: 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 OperatesDelegation 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 ‘08Managing 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:1. Formal Use and Control of Space

2. Fisher Employment

3. Park Trust income

4. 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/AgreementBouge lagoon Fisheries Industry Act National Resources Conservation Act

Montego Bay Marine Park Fisheries Industry Act National Resources Conservation Act

Admin Organization

For the Bouge LagoonFishing Industry Act, Natural Resources

Conservation Authority Act

For the Montego Bay Marine ParkNEPA & 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

Habitat Bouge Lagoon

Coral Reef Seagrass Mangrove Estuary Lagoon Spawning/breedi

ng area

Beach Rock Gravel Sand Mud Pelagic

x x x x x x x     x    

Habitat Montego Bay Marine Park

Coral Reef Seagrass Mangrove Estuary Lagoon Spawning/breedi

ng area

Beach Rock Gravel Sand Mud Pelagic

x x x x x x x  x x  x  

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 EbanksContact email manager@mbmp.org Contact number 1-876-952-5619Fax 1-876-940-0659