Global Environment Facility (GEF) Successfully Strengthens Caribbean Capacity to fight Invasive Alien Species

Global Environment Facility (GEF) Successfully Strengthens Caribbean Capacity to fight Invasive Alien Species

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are plants, animals or microorganisms not native to an area, whose presence threatens biodiversity, food security, health and economic development. Many IAS are already present in the Caribbean threatening the natural resource base on which millions of people depend.

With a global focus on food and nutrition security amidst serious concerns about impacts of climate change on water resources and food production, it is important to be aware of, and understand how IAS impact on the regional economy, livelihoods and the environment. As far back as 2001 it was estimated that IAS invasions cost the global economy more than US$1.4 trillion per annum, approximately 5% of global GDP at the time. This figure currently exceeds the annual figure for damage caused by climate change – it has been estimated that a 2OC increase in temperature will cost the global economy anything between 0.2 and 2% of global GDP. Our Islands, in the Caribbean, with their diverse but delicate ecosystems, are particularly at risk from IAS which are threatening many native species with extinction. More species have gone extinct on islands than anywhere else – mainly as a result of IAS - 80-90% of all reptile extinctions; 80-93% of all bird extinctions; 50-81% of all mammal extinctions. Islands have suffered 64% of IUCN-listed extinctions and have 45% of IUCN-listed critically endangered species. Due to their ability to spread and colonize new areas and the vulnerability of the Caribbean to IAS any attempt to tackle this threat will require a regional effort. Caribbean states have recognized this threat and in response CAB International (CABI), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with several partners, and with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented a regional project “Mitigating the Threats of Invasive Alien Species in the Insular Caribbean” This project sought to broaden the approach to deal with IAS by developing effective policies, strengthening existing national capacity, creating awareness, developing best management practices for selected target species and by fostering the development of a regional cooperation framework and the implementation of common regional IAS strategy. Five countries: Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago have championed regional cooperation and national action to tackle the threat of IAS in the insular Caribbean. With project support and complete commitment, each of the countries has had significant successes which have been shared on a regional basis. Policies have been developed and implemented, awareness created, capacity developed and the most cost-effective ways to manage selected IAS developed and tested. In the marine environment the lionfish poses one of the most significant threats to fisheries and coral reef diversity in the Caribbean. In order to reduce lionfish populations Jamaica launched a highly successful campaign called “Eat it to Beat it” to encourage increased consumption of this voracious predatory fish – this campaign has reduced lionfish populations in some areas and as such their approach has been shared will all of the other participating countries. The Dominican Republic has remained committed to the complete eradication of vertebrate invasives from its globally significant Isla Cabritos, which will be replicated in other key sites. Many important lessons have been learnt from their experience which will benefit similar campaigns elsewhere. St. Lucia has experimented with various methodologies to control an invasive iguana species and as such prevent it from cross breeding with a native iguana. Trinidad and Tobago’s Government has approved the establishment of a multi-sectoral committee and Unit within the Ministry of Food Production with responsibility for invasive species management, which will allow for greater levels of collaboration among key agencies and higher levels of success. Trials to measure the efficacy of various lionfish management techniques have been undertaken in the Bahamas with positive results. Analyses carried out under the project showed significant economic benefits in controlling IAS for a host of species. In other words it makes economic sense for governments to invest in IAS. Key to the success of the project has been knowledge generation, management and dissemination, which will continue long after the end of the life of the project. To this end a website www.ciasnet.org was created during the project to be a “one stop shop” for information on IAS in the Caribbean. All five participating countries have committed to specific measures to ensure that the gains made in tackling IAS management are maintained and advanced in their respective countries. CABI, together with other agencies will continue to provide support to Caribbean States to raise the profile of IAS as one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and economic development in the region. The project has clearly demonstrated that IAS can be effectively managed with significant benefits for biodiversity conservation and economic development. In closing the project, UNEP urged countries to continue to engage at the regional level, so as to advance efforts to harmonize policy, foster valuable knowledge sharing and coordination at the regional level and to continue to create and maintain linkages between countries and regional partners. fuente: pnuma