This Guide offers a synthesis of research findings on how marine protected areas (MPAs) can work to conserve the country’s shallow coral reef ecosystems, including associated seagrass meadows, mangroves, and other lagoon habitats. Featured topics span the nature of Bahamian shallow marine habitats and seascapes, the ecological communities that reside in them, how reefs and populations across islands are ecologically connected, factors that contribute to reef health and resilience, what scientists have learned from the example of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, and some of the social factors affecting MPAs in the country.
Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners (NCEP)
NCEP is a global project that seeks to create opportunities for the broad exchange of information and strategies among conservation educators and practitioners so that results from the field directly inform training for the future. NCEP targets educators working with undergraduate and graduate students, and trainers working with conservation professionals in a variety of settings. NCEP, in conjunction with members of the BBP, has developed teacher resources with a strong marine science component with module topics including Introduction to Marine Conservation Biology, Marine Conservation Policy, and Marine Protected Areas and MPA Networks. Marine Reserves and Local Fisheries - An Interactive Simulation described below, is available as part of the MPA module, or as a stand-alone exercise (below). A set of written exercises (and solutions for teachers) are available to guide and challenge students using the simulation.
Marine Reserves and Local Fisheries: An Interactive Simulation Exercise
This simulation-based educational tool allows users to experiment with the use of marine reserves as tools in fisheries management and to explore various biological and economic factors that influence population viability and fisheries sustainability. Focusing on key Caribbean fisheries species, their habitat preferences, the distribution of these habitats across the seascape, economic costs and proceeds from small-scale fisheries, and simple models of fishing behavior, the Java-based simulation provides an easy to use but flexible platform for visualizing and exploring multiple ecological and human dimensions of fisheries management and marine reserve design.
Fully-Protected Marine Reserves for the Future of Our Oceans
A Companion Guide to the Fully-Protected Marine Reserves Public Exhibition, published in collaboration with the Bahamas Department of Fisheries, the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, the Bahamas National Trust, and the American Museum of Natural History’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation.