CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES must adopt aggressive new strategies for sustainable management and protection of their marine product, according to a noted regional biologist.

Otherwise, the region
risks losing precious natural resources, says James Azueta, one of the region's foremost experts in the field.

Azueta, who serves as ecosystems management unit coordinator for the Belize Fisheries Department, will present a special workshop on operating marine sites and attractions, during the 10th annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands April 28 to May 1.

According to Azueta the concept of protected areas is not new to the Caribbean region, various nature reserves and national monuments having existed in the region for more than 200 years. However, managing such marine areas depends almost entirely on external financing.

A relatively low management success rate can be attributed in part to international environmental donor agencies neglecting or deprioritising the marine environment.

"In order to achieve sustainable management, Caribbean countries have adopted various strategies," said Azueta in a brief prepared ahead of the conference.

"These strategies include the creation of trust funds,
the direct use of visitation revenues, co-management agreements and the creation
of comprehensive national protected areas system plans.

"In these strategies
it is challenging to address
bio-physical, governance and socio-economic indicators.
We will therefore look at ways countries can address these challenges and develop new strategies for preservation
and sustainability."

The conference is organised by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation in collaboration with the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board and the Caribbean Hotel Association. (GE/PR)