21 October 2015: In implementation of its commitments under the Programme of Work on Protected Areas of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Caribbean Challenge Initiative, the Government of the Bahamas announced the creation of 24 new marine protected areas and the expansion of three existing national parks, adding around 3 million hectares to the country’s marine protected areas and reserves system.

Selection of the areas aims to protect habitat for grouper and bonefish spawning aggregations, coral reefs, sea grass meadows, mangrove nurseries, as well as important bird areas, and has undergone scientific assessment and extensive community outreach.

With these additions, more than 10% of the country’s marine and coastal ecosystems will be under protection. The newly declared areas have been mapped and defined, and their legal status is expected to be formally completed before the end of 2015. It is then expected that the government will develop management plans in consultation with partners, stakeholders and local communities.

Creation of these protected areas proceeded in the framework of the Bahamas National Protected Areas System Project, supported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which aimed to implement the country’s commitments under the CBD Programme of Work on Protected Areas and the Caribbean Challenge Initiative. The Initiative commits ten Caribbean states to the goal of protecting 20% of their marine and coastal ecosystems by 2020. [UNEP Press Release] [Bahamas Protected Areas Fund Website] [CBD Programme of Work on Protected Areas Webpage] [Caribbean Challenge Initiative Website]