By OECS
Photos: OECS
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), through the EU-funded BioSPACE Project, is advancing efforts to protect biodiversity across the region. Recognising the five primary global threats to biodiversity—land and sea use changes, overexploitation, pollution, invasive species, and climate change—the BioSPACE Project has taken a key step by supporting the development of a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for the Virgin Islands.
Establishing an NBSAP is crucial for integrating biodiversity conservation into both national and regional development frameworks. This plan ensures that marine and terrestrial ecosystems are safeguarded, supporting long-term socio-economic growth. The initiative aligns with the OECS Commission’s broader goal of enhancing regional capacity to manage coastal and marine biodiversity while strengthening resilience to climate change.
Norma Cherry-Fevrier, Project Manager of the BioSPACE Project, highlighted the importance of public participation in shaping the strategy.
“Biodiversity conservation cannot happen in isolation. It requires collaboration among government agencies, environmental experts, local communities, and industries that rely on a healthy ecosystem,” she emphasised.
To ensure a comprehensive and effective plan, the OECS has enlisted the consulting firm PC Consultants to provide technical expertise. This includes reviewing past legislation, policies, and projects to identify gaps and opportunities. Dr. Shannon Gore, a local liaison for the initiative, stressed the strategy’s practical significance:
“This plan is not meant to sit on a shelf. It will serve as a roadmap to align future projects and policies with both national and global biodiversity targets.”
The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change is playing a key role in implementing the initiative. At the launch event, Jamella Chesney of PC Consultants underscored the importance of biodiversity to the Virgin Islands’ economy, particularly in sectors such as tourism, fisheries, and agriculture, which directly depend on healthy ecosystems.
The OECS Commission expressed gratitude to the European Union for its investment in regional biodiversity conservation. This funding supports efforts to build national and local capacity for biodiversity management, including policy development, technical training, and consultative meetings with key decision-makers.
Public consultations will be held across the Virgin Islands, including in Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada, encouraging residents and stakeholders to contribute their insights. Their participation will be instrumental in shaping a comprehensive and effective biodiversity strategy.
Beyond the NBSAP, the BioSPACE Project also supports initiatives such as fisheries management and data modeling training in the Virgin Islands, reinforcing its broader mission to enhance climate resilience and promote sustainable biodiversity management.
As biodiversity faces growing threats, the OECS, in collaboration with regional and international partners, remains committed to securing a sustainable future for the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean. The development of the NBSAP is a pivotal step in ensuring that conservation efforts align with economic prosperity for generations to come.
