Description: The project focused on enhancing East Caicos’ coral reef ecosystems’ climate change resilience through strategies that improved long-term conservation and sustainable utilisation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Collaborative workshops involving the Turks and Caicos Islands Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) and local stakeholders led to the establishment of conservation zones, determined through multi-criteria evaluations. Post-project, regular monitoring protocols were devised in conjunction with DECR and disseminated through diverse media channels. Addressing management and monitoring deficiencies, the initiative developed recommended conservation zones and protocols, strengthening coral reef resilience against climate change. It involved comprehensive steps such as GIS mapping, qualitative and quantitative field studies, stakeholder workshops, and specialised training sessions. Accomplishments also encompassed the creation of 16 permanent reef monitoring sites and 5 patch reef monitoring sites, covering an area of 78 km2. Ongoing monitoring every two years ensures continued progress and adaptive management. Furthermore, the project facilitated staff training in GIS mapping and provided reef monitoring expertise to 10 individuals through specialised workshops.
Duration: 12 months
