The illegal online trade in Caribbean reptiles
Last year, conservation scientist Josh Noseworthy spent six weeks investigating illegal wildlife trade in the Caribbean, specifically in trade in reptiles. He documented his findings in an article for the Oxford Martin Programme on the Illegal Wildlife Trade: The Caribbean … is a hotspot for reptile diversity. Although small in …
Public consultations on mangrove conservation in the Cayman Islands
As World Mangrove Day 2018 draws to a close, our final piece of mangrove-related news for the day comes from the Cayman Islands, where several proposals intended to strengthen protection for mangrove ecosystems have been presented to the public for review and feedback. These include three new protected area nominations. …
Volunteers help plant mangroves in Trinidad and Tobago
More encouraging news to mark World Mangrove Day. Trinidad and Tobago’s Environmental Policy Planning Division, in conjunction with the Institute of Marine Affairs, recently organized a mangrove planting activity on Trinidad’s west coast: Dozens of volunteers descended on the Brickfield mudflats, Orange Field in Carapichaima [on June 24, 2018] to …
New regulations to protect mangroves in Belize
Belize recently passed new regulations to improve protection and conservation of mangroves: On June 15, 2018, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development, and Immigration, Godwin Hulse signed the Forests (Protection of Mangroves) Regulations 2018 [to] come into effect on June 23, 2018, upon publication in the …
July 26 is International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
Beginning in 2016, July 26 has been celebrated as International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, also known as World Mangrove Day: Mangroves are rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea. These extra ordinary ecosystems contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection …
Sandals Grenada encourages guests to hunt invasive lionfish
At Sandals Grenada, resort guests can get actively involved in combatting the lionfish invasion in the Caribbean: At Sandals Grenada, guests with scuba certifications are encouraged to hunt fish — lionfish, specifically — on their holiday. The species is the cane toad of the Caribbean, invasive and multiplying at lightning …
Invasive seagrass species disrupts green turtle grazing in the Caribbean
Recently published research from Bonaire indicates that green turtle grazing patterns are contributing to the spread of an invasive seagrass species, which in turn reduces the turtles’ grazing areas: A seagrass species from the Red Sea is outcompeting the native seagrass species in the Caribbean, where the green sea turtle …