Restoration of mangrove sites in the Caribbean (OECS)

Mangroves play a fundamental role in the evolution of tropical ecosystems, in terms of provisioning, coastal protection and carbon sequestration. At a global scale, however, the area covered by mangroves continues to diminish, mainly as a result of human activities. In the Eastern Caribbean, mangroves are particularly hit by hurricanes and floods and, over the last ten years, by massive sargassum strandings.

By restoring, protecting and promoting economic activities that respect mangroves, the project will contribute to achieving sustainable development goals. It will also contribute to the French influence and regional integration of Martinique and Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, insofar as mangrove sites will be restored and the project will promote the sharing of experience and the networking of local expertise with other OECS territories.

The project is built around three pillars: 

• Community-based restoration of degraded mangrove sites,
• Implementation of sustainable conservation models,
• Disseminating knowledge of Eastern Caribbean mangrove ecosystems on a regional scale.

The project is structured around five components aimed at:

• A better understanding of the ecological and socio-economic issues related to the mangrove ecosystems to be restored,
• Ecological restoration of sites with high ecological value,
• Involvement, awareness-raising and development of sustainable economic activities for communities,
• Capitalization, knowledge sharing and collaboration on a regional scale,
• Capacity-building for the OECS and its local partners.

The project also includes a cross-cutting gender objective.

The project aims to restore selected mangrove sites in 5 OECS countries and territories: Grenada, Saint-Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Martinique and Guadeloupe. On the selected sites, the project implements a long-term vision involving the communities, enabling sustainable management of the sites and improving the quality of life. 

Social, cultural and economic enhancement is promoted in the region by encouraging sharing between stakeholders. Improved knowledge of mangroves in the area should lead to better consideration of ecosystems, with the ambition of a common protection status for these areas on the scale of the Eastern Caribbean, supported by the OECS.