St. Georges, Grenada – As part of the Marine Conservation in the Caribbean Forum, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) and its partners embarked on an informative field trip along Grenada’s southern coast. Guided by Stephen Nimrod, Senior Lecturer at St. George’s University (SGU) and respected conservationist, the experience brought to life the strength, significance, and layered value of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the region.
Participants visited the Woburn, Molinière, and Grand Anse MPAs, each offering a unique perspective on marine biodiversity, coastal management, and community engagement. What was encountered was not just beautiful—it was instructive. As living Caribbean ecosystems, these habitats tell stories of resilience, traditional knowledge, and the ongoing innovation that sustains Caribbean marine life and the coastal communities that depend on them.
Mr. Nimrod also highlighted the geographic differences between the sites. At Woburn, the coastline is flatter, with expansive coral fringes that serve as natural wave breakers—calming the waters and making them ideal for fishing and nearshore activities. At the same time, Woburn showcased the challenges of conflicting marine uses. A marina expansion project was visibly encroaching into traditional use areas, offering a real-time case study on the need for better spatial planning in MPAs. Also visible were sea moss farming lines, many of which used recycled plastic bottles as flotation devices—an ingenious and sustainable approach. Though the farmers were not active during our visit, their presence reinforced the connection between marine conservation and local livelihoods.
The Three-Stage Nursery: Nature’s Blueprint for Coastal Resilience
A key learning moment for participants was observing the natural sequence of ecosystems that together function as nursery habitat for marine life as well as other ecosystem goods and services—mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. This “three-stage nursery” supports young marine species at every phase of their development, offering safe habitat, food sources, and ecological transitions essential to their survival.
These habitats also provide additional goods and services: mangroves protect against storm surges, seagrass beds help trap sediment and store carbon, and coral reefs buffer the shore while supporting fisheries and tourism. Together, they form the foundation of thriving marine and coastal communities.
Cultural Ingenuity: Grenada’s Historic Seaquariums
One of the most memorable stories shared by Mr. Nimrod was the traditional use of “seaquariums” by local fishers. In the years before refrigeration, fishers constructed live holding pens using conch shells, allowing them to keep fish alive in the sea until they were ready for market. This creative, nature-based solution minimized spoilage and supported daily livelihoods—and in time, became a feature of local coastal culture.
It’s a brilliant example of indigenous knowledge systems rooted in sustainability and shaped by necessity—long before the global conservation movement gave it a name.
Art Beneath the Surface: The Molinière Underwater Sculpture Park
At the Molinière MPA, the group explored Grenada’s world-famous Underwater Sculpture Park—a striking example of conservation meeting culture. The park was originally developed following the damage caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and was conceived by the artist Jason deCaires Taylor. His vision was to not only celebrate Grenadian culture but also reduce the human impact on nearby natural reefs by offering an alternative dive site.
These life-size sculptures, designed to foster coral growth and house marine life, are visually captivating and function as artificial reefs, helping to restore marine habitats degraded by storms or human activity.
Beyond the science, the park has become an iconic site of environmental storytelling, illustrating how art can be leveraged to protect nature and inspire action.
Immersive Learning: Snorkeling at Flamingo Bay
The final leg of the trip took us to Flamingo Bay, where participants had the opportunity to snorkel in one of the island’s richest marine zones. Gliding above coral heads and sea fans, surrounded by vibrant fish, the experience offered a personal and emotional connection to the ecosystems we work to protect.
There is something transformational about seeing the direct impact of MPAs—not through a report, but through a dive mask.
A Collective Commitment: CORE, CRAB, EMPAC, and BluEFIN
This forum—and the field experience it offered—was made possible through the generous support of four of CBF’s regional conservation projects:
- CORE – Caribbean Organizations for a Resilient Environment
- CRAB – Caribbean Regional Architecture for Biodiversity
- EMPAC – Enhancing Marine Protection in the Caribbean
- BluEFIN – Blue Economy Financing
While each project targets distinct priorities within marine biodiversity and ecosystem-based adaptation, they share a unified goal: strengthening the management and sustainability of Marine Protected Areas across the Caribbean.
By funding this forum, these projects helped bring together regional stakeholders to exchange knowledge, build partnerships, and deepen their commitment to effective, community-driven conservation. Their investment reflects a shared belief that lasting marine protection requires coordination, innovation, and shared responsibility.
Why These Experiences Matter
For the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, conservation is about ecosystems and the people who depend on them. This field trip reaffirmed the role of MPAs as more than just protected zones—they are spaces where science, heritage, and innovation intersect.
In Grenada, that intersection is being actively supported by the Grenada Sustainable Development Trust Fund (GSDTF). As the national conservation trust fund, GSDTF plays a critical role in advancing sustainable financing for marine conservation efforts—including support for MPA management, community engagement, and blue economy initiatives.
Notably, GSDTF recently commissioned a comprehensive biophysical assessment of Grenada’s declared and proposed MPAs, led by the Grenada Coral Reef Foundation and conducted using the AGRRA (Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment) protocol. The findings from this work provide a foundation for science-based decision-making and long-term MPA management.
In addition to technical assessments, GSDTF supports initiatives that build awareness and develop local capacity. One standout example is the work of Ms. Alyssa White, a former CRAB intern, who developed the Grenada Biodiversity 101 Magazine with technical support from CPAG. This resource offers an accessible and visually engaging introduction to Grenada’s rich biodiversity and protected areas, demonstrating how internship programs can meaningfully contribute to national conservation goals.
GSDTF also supports livelihood-based conservation initiatives, including sea moss farming and fish processing training—underscoring how marine protection and economic resilience go hand in hand.
As we continue our regional work, Grenada’s MPAs—supported by national efforts like those of GSDTF—stand as a model for what’s possible when communities, policymakers, and conservationists work together—not just to protect, but to co-create a sustainable future.
References:
- Seagrass Ecosystem Services
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
https://www.unep.org/resources/toolkits-manuals-and-guides/protecting-seagrass-through-payments-ecosystem-services - Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park
Jason deCaires Taylor – Underwater Sculpture
https://underwatersculpture.com/projects/molinere-underwater-sculpture-park/ - Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA)
AGRRA Official Website
https://www.agrra.org/
