Empowering Communities to Protect Their Ocean
BLUE HALO BARBUDA is a partnership between the Barbuda Council and the Waitt Institute, with support from our many collaborators. The goal of Blue Halo Barbuda is to foster the sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable use of ocean resources for present and future generations.
FROM THE FIELD
images from before Hurricane Irma
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BARBUDA'S MARINE SPATIAL PLAN
Protecting 33% of their nearshore waters
Blue Halo Barbuda established Barbuda's marine spatial plan in 2014.
In August of 2014, Barbuda Council signed into law a set of new ocean management regulations that zone their coastal waters, strengthen fisheries management, and establish a network of marine sanctuaries. The regulations established five marine sanctuaries, covering 33% (139 km2) of the coastal area, to enable fish populations to rebuild and habitats to recover. To restore the coral reefs, catching parrotfish and sea urchins has been completely prohibited, as these animals are critical to keeping algae levels on reefs low so coral can thrive.
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Scientific Assessment of Barbuda's coral reefs and fish stocks.
Government of Antigua & Barbuda & Waitt Institute Sign a Memorandum of Understanding, create Blue Halo Barbuda.
Community consultations completed to understand Barbudan's priorities for conservation and zone boundaries, as well as legal framework assessment to understand existing laws and regulations.
Barbuda Council signs laws that create a set of new ocean management regulations that zone their coastal waters, strengthen fisheries management, and establish a network of marine sanctuaries.
Implementation & Capacity building for Barbuda fisheries begins including Fisher Registration and Special Area Permits, Boating and enforcement trainings for fisheries & police officers, and the Kids Ocean Camp.
Signage Buoys enter the water
Hurricane Irma hits Barbuda and the Barbuda Recovery & Conservation Trust is formed. The Waitt Institute halts Blue Halo Barbuda and raises more than $780,000 for humanitarian response and recovery.
Barbuda Recovery & Conservation Trust transitions to the Barbuda Resilience Fund, Waitt Institute returns to ocean conservation.
TIMELINE
REPORTS & RESOURCES
POLICY DOCUMENTS & REGULATIONS
Barbuda Fisheries Regulations — 2014
Coastal Zoning & Management Regulations — 2014
National Parks Authority (Establishment) — 2014
Barbuda Marine Spatial Plan — 2014
SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL REPORTS
Ecological Assessment of Barbuda’s Marine Ecosystems – September 2013
Enforcement Recommendations for the Barbuda Blue Halo Initiative — December 2013
Legal Authorities Summary — September 2013
Barbuda Blue Halo Enforcement Blueprint — November 2014
Legal & Institutional Assessment of Authorities & Approaches — May 2014
SITE MANAGER
ROBIN RAMDEEN
As Site Manager for Montserrat and Antigua & Barbuda, she focuses on providing the Waitt Institute’s ocean management toolkit to the communities and governments and on executing program strategy. She is based on Antigua but visits Barbuda biweekly.
ABOUT BARBUDA
Location:
Island:
Population:
Threats to the ocean:
How We Address These Threats:
Lesser Antilles
61.99 mi2
2,000 residents
Overfishing
Coastal development
Damage from large storms
Sand Mining
We worked with the Barbuda Council to protect 33% of nearshore waters, create fisheries regulations that will allow lobster, conch, and fish populations to recover, and plans to work on mangrove restoration after Hurricane Irma.
In September 2017 Barbuda was struck by Category 5+ Hurricane Irma, leaving the entire island devastated and it's population displaced. In partnership with the International Community Foundation and the MEPA Trust, we formed the Barbuda Recovery & Conservation Trust (BRCT) and raised more than $750,000 USD for humanitarian relief and hurricane recovery. in 2018 we returned to ocean conservation and the BRCT has transitioned to the Barbuda Resilience Fund, run by International Community Foundation.
