Connections 18 March2004
An electronic bulletin about interdisciplinary research, teaching and outreach at the
Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES)
Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus
Announcing from the UWI Office of
CERMES at Sci-Tech Xpo 2004
Research: a Coastal Management
CERMES showcased its teaching programme and its
Research Network (COMARE Net)
research at the recently concluded National Science
and Technology Exposition, 4-6 March 2004 at the
The UWI internal Environmental Research Network
Sherbourne Conference Centre.
of the Office of Research has initiated the Coastal
Management Research Network (COMARE Net), an
external or outreach component to be funded by the
Department for International Development (DFID)
Natural Resources Systems Programme (NRSP)
from 1 March 2004 to 31 March 2005.
Its purpose is to promote and institutionalise
improved integrated coastal management practices
The exhibit was modest in size, comprising a series
and policies in the Caribbean. COMARE Net will
of slide shows and posters. However, many fellow
combine the processes and products of NRSP Land
participants and members of the general public
Water Interface (LWI) research projects with other
expressed interest in our Masters Degree programme
research initiatives. It will facilitate electronic and
and the diverse research conducted by students and
physical exchanges of information, presentations and
staff. Ms Maria Pena, our projects person, assisted in
policy briefs, and provide other means of promoting
making this event a success.
research aimed at improving all aspects of coastal
management in the Caribbean.
Partnering for sustainable
The Centre for Resource Management and
development in the Caribbean
Environmental Studies (CERMES) at the UWI Cave
The US State Department, held a one-day
Hill Campus and the Caribbean Natural Resources
conference on "Partnering for Sustainable
Institute (CANARI), a regional NGO, will co-manage
Development in the Caribbean: How Could a Forum
COMARE Net. Membership is open to individuals
for Environmental Cooperation Help?" in Washington
and organisations that have an interest in achieving
DC on 6th February 2004. It brought together several
the purpose of the Network; special emphasis is
governmental and non-governmental organizations
placed upon recruiting regional organisations. Some
from around the Caribbean to explore better ways for
aspects of the Network should be up and running by
coordinating environmental initiatives in the region.
the end of April.
Dr. Robin Mahon of CERMES was a panellist and
For further information contact Dr. Patrick McConney
presenter in the session "Working Together in the
via nrmoutreach@caribsurf.com. Application forms
Region: Lessons Learned". His presentation focused
are available upon request as PDF files.
on how a complex adaptive systems approach could
inform collaborative initiatives for change in the
CERMES web site launched
Caribbean. Contact him at rmahon@uwichill.edu.bb.
The CERMES web site will be available to the public
for access from Friday 19 March. Check us out at:
At the White Water to Blue Water
http://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/cermes
(WW2BW) Partnership Conference
in Miami, 22-26 March 2004
On the web site you will find a wealth of information
on CERMES and the many initiatives that we are
Several CERMES lecturers are due to take part in
involved in. Special thanks to Mr. Winfield Alleyne on
this conference. See the next issue for all the details
our staff for working to get it on line and managed.
of sessions and training events that were organised.
Barbados Fisheries Management
CERMES is getting greener ... not
Plan 2004-2006 in the making
with envy, but environmentally
With all of the recent focus on fishing it should come
CERMES staff and students have vowed to become
as no surprise that the management of the fisheries
more environmentally active from the start of April.
around the island is of considerable importance. The
Every month, for at least four days a month, students
Fisheries Act stipulates that there should always be
and staff will be asked to participate in various types
an up to date plan for managing the fisheries in the
of environmentally conscious activities. Recycling
waters of Barbados. The first Barbados fisheries
will be an ongoing priority, and will involve collecting
management plan (FMP) was for the period 1997 to
PET bottles, printer cartridges and old newspapers.
2000. The second plan for 2001 to 2003 is soon to be
replaced by the 2004 to 2006 FMP.
Reduction is also a theme. Energy conservation such
as not using air conditioning for specified periods of
Assistance in the formulation of the 2004 to 2006
time, remembering to turn off lights when they are not
FMP is one of the activities under the Coastal
needed, walking to work etc. will be promoted. We
Resources Co-management Project (CORECOMP)
hope that, with time, our environmental campaign will
that has been mentioned in the previous issues of
spread throughout the entire Campus. We will keep
CERMES Connections.
you posted on just how green we have become! Let
us know about your environmental initiatives too.
Indeed the UWI Cave Hill Campus has had a long
history of involvement in the management of fisheries
Counterpart Caribbean's Coastal
in Barbados and elsewhere in the region. This has
Co-management and Coral
mainly been through provision of scientific and
technical advice. A general principle governing
Regeneration (4Cs) Programme
natural resource management is that the best
Scoping began in the Grenadines and in Negril,
available scientific information should be used where
Jamaica, for the European Union funded "Coastal
possible. It is the responsibility of academic and
Co-management and Coral Regeneration (4Cs)
research institutions such as CERMES to ensure that
Programme" being implemented by Counterpart
such high quality information is available to any party
Caribbean, for which CERMES is providing technical
interested in the management of fisheries.
input. The project will focus on building civil society
capacity. In the Grenadines, it will work with the
CERMES contributed to drafting a sub-regional
newly formed Southern Grenadines Water Taxi
management plan for flyingfish via the Western
Association and seek to establish sister water taxi
Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission of the Food
associations in Bequia and Carriacou. Emphasis will
and Agriculture Organisation (WECAFC of the FAO).
be on building the capacity of water taxi operators to
Fisheries officers from several nearby countries
earn sustainable livelihoods. This will be by providing
participate in the WECAFC ad hoc working group on
services to tourists and locals, through improved
flyingfish. This informal technical group, and the
vessel safety, better customer service via a code of
Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM),
conduct, greening of boats, and more environmental
have important roles to play in fisheries management.
information being given to customers.
Capacity building for the Boards of
Directors of NGOs offered in Belize
Dr. Patrick McConney
Early in February two one-day refresher courses
of CERMES discusses
were held in Punta Gorda and Belize City for NGO
with Mr. Carl Hanson
Boards of Directors and government agencies with
and Ms Jean Brown of
NCRPS opportunities
responsibility for the co-management of fisheries and
for capacity building at
marine protected areas (MPAs). This was done under
Negril
the Coastal Resources Co-management Project
(CORECOMP), and aimed at building the capacities
of co-management partners. These one-day courses
Details are still to be worked out with the Negril Coral
form part of the series of capacity building activities
Reef Preservation Society (NCRPS) that manages
that CERMES is working on in support of its projects.
the Negril Marine Park, but several ideas concern
ways in which the stakeholders could become more
In the near future there should be a package of short
involved in managing the marine protected area.
courses available for any interested party to choose
from and have delivered on site through CERMES.
CERMES Phone (246)-417-4316; Fax (246)-424-4204; cermes@uwichill.edu.bb; www.cavehill.uwi.edu/cermes
Mailing address: CERMES, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, St. Michael, Barbados