Blue Halo Initiative Expands to Montserrat and Curaçao!

Originally published on the (now archived) National Geographic blog.
February 26, 2015

VERY EXCITING NEWS! The Waitt Institute has expanded its Blue Halo Initiative to Montserrat and Curaçao, building on the recent success in Barbuda. The new partnerships with these two innovative island governments and communities will help envision, design, and implement sustainable ocean policies for their waters.

With the launches of Blue Halo Montserrat and Blue Halo Curaçao the Waitt Institute has not only tripled the number of partner islands to which we offer our toolkit for ocean management, but also increased the amount of ocean area where we support sustainable policies to 38,700 km2.

This Initiative began in Barbuda in 2012. After a year and a half of deep collaboration amongst the people of Barbuda and technical experts, comprehensive and progressive new ocean laws were passed.

Barbuda's ocean zoning is now in place, including one-third of coastal areas protected in marine reserves. The new laws also completely protect essential species like parrotfish, and restrict habitat damage overall. After enforcement begins (the Institute is also supporting the project’s implementation phase), the benefits of this new management will soon become obvious to the residents – and fishermen.

We’re thrilled to begin similar work with both Montserrat and Curacao, thanks to our new, signed memoranda of understanding with the islands’ individual governments. Onward to using the ocean without using it up!