A Caribbean-Wide Survey of Marine Reserves: Spatial Coverage and Attributes of Effectiveness
- 1 January 2003
- journal article
- Published by University of Southern Mississippi in Gulf and Caribbean Research
- Vol. 14, 139-154
- https://doi.org/10.18785/gcr.1402.11
Abstract
Fully-protected marine reserves can function at several spatial scales, from a single area encompassing few habitats, to local networks of many habitats, to large-scale networks connected by larval dispersal. However, the amount, spatial distribution, and associated administrative attributes of Caribbean marine reserves are collectively unknown. We compiled information on reserves from 21 countries in order to 1) assemble a spatial framework to aid development of networks of reserves at the most effective spatial scales, and 2) aid policy makers in establishing reserves that are science-based and possess optimal management attributes. Since 1961 there have been over 50 reserves established in the Caribbean (an additional 30 in Bermuda) with the rate of implementation increasing since the mid 1980’s. Most reserves are small (Keywords
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