This document discusses efforts to improve coral reef health through increasing populations of herbivorous fish. It summarizes the mandate of the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol of the Cartagena Convention to protect habitats and species in the Wider Caribbean Region. The SPAW Sub-Programme aims to increase protected areas, conserve threatened species, and facilitate information exchange to support biodiversity conservation. Specific efforts discussed include marine protected areas, action plans for marine mammals, invasive lionfish, sargassum seaweed, and fishing species like conch and lobber. The document also mentions work to evaluate the status of parrotfish and other herbivores that could potentially be listed under the SPA

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“Herbivorous Fish to improve Coral Reef Health:
Science and regional regulatory measures”
Ileana C Lopez
UNEP CEP
BIODIVERSITY PROGRAMME OFICER

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To achieve sustainable development of marine and coastal resources in the Wider Caribbean Region
through effective, integrated management that allows for economic growth and sustainable livelihoods.
CARTAGENA CONVENTION
"To promote regional co-operation for the protection and development of the Wider Caribbean Region”

3. Adopted : 1983
Entered into force : 1986
Pollution from Oil Spills Specially Protected Areas & Wildlife
(SPAW)
Land Based Sources and Activities of Marine
Pollution (LBS)
Adopted : 1990
Entered into force : 2000
Adopted : 1999
Entered into force : 2010
26 Parties 17 Parties 14 Parties
CARTAGENA CONVENTION
THE PROTOCOLS

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SPAW SUB-PROGRAMME
Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife

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SPAW MANDATE
“The SPAW Protocol emphasizes the importance of protecting habitats as an effective method of protecting
listed species”
The objectives of the SPAW Sub-Programme are to:
1. Increase the number, and improve the management of, protected and/or managed areas in the Wider Caribbean
Region (WCR), including support to national and regional conservation management strategies and plans.
2. Support the conservation of threatened and endangered species and sustainable use of natural resources to prevent
them from becoming threatened or endangered.
3. Develop strong regional capability for information exchange, training and assistance, in support of national biodiversity
conservation efforts

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MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

7. Annex
I
Annex
II
Annex
III
Strictly
protected
Exploitation
regulated

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Regional Marine Mammal Action Plan
MARINE MAMMALS

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Regional Lionfish Strategy
since 2014
INVASIVE
SPECIES

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Regional Working Group SPAW RAC
SARGASSUM

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Action Plans for
Queen Conch and Lobster
FISHING SPECIES

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TURTLES

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Global Caribbean Regional Monitoring Network
Consorcio de Restauración de Corales
Coral Reefs
Crédito: Ana Giro ©

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Herbivores fishes in
coral reefs
SPECIES WORKING GROUP / SPAW RAC
- Task 2: Evaluate the status of parrotfish and other herbivores
associated with coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves to
determine whether any species or group of species may
warrant listing in the SPAW.
Protocol Annexes, with due consideration to socio-cultural-
economic and ecological dimensions, and provide results of
reviews to the STAC.
14Crédito: AGRRA, Ken Marks ©

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MUCHAS GRACIAS
Thank you!