Blue Halo Initiative

Summary: 

The Blue Halo Initiative of the Waitt Institute sets out to empower communities to restore their oceans, and use ocean resources sustainably, profitably, and enjoyably for this and future generations. This is done by partnering with governments, communities, and scientists to create and implement ocean policies, including sustainable fishing practices and comprehensive ocean zoning. The Waitt Institute provides the toolkit, and the partner governments provide the political will. The Blue Halo Initiative deeply engages stakeholders in a science-based, community-driven approach.The Waitt Institute works with committed governments and communities who understand the need for, and benefits of, managing fisheries sustainably. We contract technical experts to work with us at Initiative sites, such as Environmental Law Institute (legal analysis and drafting), Sustainable Fisheries Group at UCSB (fisheries research and modeling), NOVA (habitat mapping), SeaSketch (community-based mapping and zoning analysis), Daryn Deluco (film), and The Brandling (graphic design).

Additional remarks: 

the Barbuda Blue Halo Initiative was finalized in in 2015 leading to a new regulations of fisheries, Marine Proteted Areas and no-fishing zones.It has recently started in Curacao after a contract was signed with the island government.The government of Montserrat also signed a contract with the Waitt Institute to start a Blue Halo inititiative there also.supporting documents: http://bit.ly/BlueHalo-2015Launch

Category of best practice: 

Characterization of biodiversity (e.g. inventory, description of species and ecosystems)
Biodiversity management (e.g. conservation ex situ and in situ, sustainable use and exploitation, rehabilitation, management of invasive species, pollutants, pesticides)
Governance and policies (e.g. interactions science/societies, regulations, decision-makers, networks, international collaborations)

Criteria used to define the best practice: 

Significant contribution to preservation of biodiversity and ecological effectiveness
Provision of further environmental and socio-economic benefits
Applicability/transferability to other regions
Sustainability of projects (i.e. projects remain beyond the given funding)
Adaptive management of biodiversity (allowing to cope with change of environmental conditions, e.g. climate change in time)
Good governance (involve relevant stakeholders and integrate different interests and perspectives and needs in part from local stakeholders)
Generating multiplier/imitation effects

Web address of best practice: 

Website of best practice

Organisation: 

Waiktt Institute

Contact details: 

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson <ayana@waittinstitute.org>

Geographic region: 

Caribbean

Location: 

Barbuda, Curaçao, Montserrat