Description: The project aimed to enhance biodiversity and strengthen coral reef ecosystem resilience by deploying artificial lobster casitas within Anguilla’s Little Bay Marine Park (LBMP). These casitas served as sanctuaries for critical reef species, including lobsters, while supporting various marine life such as reef fish, sea turtles, and corals. Alongside habitat creation, the initiative focused on raising awareness about the significance of Anguilla’s nearshore ecosystems and offering alternative livelihoods, like eco-tourism, to local fishers. From 1993 to 2008, Anguilla’s Government established marine parks, including LBMP, to safeguard nearshore environments, positioning natural resource managers to address LBMP’s under-utilised status. Recent legislative amendments and a national management plan enabled effective conservation efforts, encompassing fishing restrictions and benthic habitat restoration to support species recovery. Achievements included the restoration of LBMP’s benthic habitat, promotion of alternative livelihoods, increased technical expertise in nearshore conservation, and heightened national awareness and support for sustainable benthic habitat use. Capacity-building exercises involved Anguilla National Trust (ANT) staff, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources (DFMR), volunteers, fishers, and eco-tourism providers. The project successfully enhanced LBMP’s shoreline habitat and set a blueprint for similar habitat restoration in Prickly Pear Marine Park, involving diverse stakeholders and fostering collaborative efforts.
Duration: 15 months
