Climate-Resilient Marine Spatial Plan
A Climate-Resilient Marine Spatial Plan will guide the protection and sustainable use of the Virgin Islands’ marine environment. It will define key zones for conservation, fisheries, recreation, and development—supporting climate resilience while enabling a balanced blue economy.
Introduction
The Virgin Islands coastal and marine resources are facing escalating threats from a combination of climate change impacts, poor development and fisheries practices and tourism-related activities.
At the same time, The Virgin Islands aspires to achieve the global 30x30 target;, however, currently only approximately 0.1% of the Territory’s total marine area is protected and The Virgin Islands lacks a comprehensive, integrated Marine Spatial Plan to facilitate meeting conservation targets while capitalising on blue economy opportunities.
The Impact
A Climate-Resilient Marine Spatial Plan for the Territory’s full marine jurisdiction will provide the evidence base, governance framework, and spatial zoning needed to ensure protection of beaches, mangroves, seagrass beds and other critical coastal and marine ecosystems in the face of a changing climate while supporting blue economy opportunities.
The Plan will identify areas suitable for marine reserves and other protected areas, recreational use areas, fisheries areas, anchorages and mooring fields, navigational lanes, renewable energy installations, tourism infrastructure and more.
The Marine Spatial Plan has been identified as a priority in the Territory’s Strategic Blue Economy Roadmap and will become a legal requirement following the anticipated passage of the draft Environment and Climate Change Bill.
The Problem
Coastal conversion – from mangrove area to reclamation
The Solution
Conceptual map showing allocation of the marine space for uses such as marine reserves and other protected areas, recreational use areas, fisheries areas, anchorages and mooring fields, navigational lanes, renewable energy installations, jetty installations, etc.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Stay up to date with latest updates on our projects, initaives and events