New UWI Study Shows How Caribbean Countries Can Better Protect Land and Sea

COBE partners with International group on Caribbean Protected Area Management Publication

The UWI Five Islands Campus, Antigua and Barbuda — A new publication by The Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE) at The University of The West Indies, Five Islands Campus, in collaboration with greenCrowd is highlighting innovative approaches to Protected Area Management across the Caribbean region.

The publication, released in January 2026, examines critical challenges facing Small Island Developing States, including limited human and financial capacity, restricted terrestrial spaces and expansive marine ecosystems requiring protection and management.  

The document showcases how Caribbean nations are developing innovative strategies to achieve financial, social and environmental sustainability in protected areas despite resource constraints. The publication presents case studies from across the region, including Jamaica’s community-led fish sanctuaries, The Bahamas’ nature bond financing and the Dominican Republic’s achievement of protecting 30% of its marine areas. Marine tourism contributed an estimated $48 billion to the Caribbean in 2019, representing approximately 14% of the region’s GDP, according to the publication. Dr. Branson Belle and Dr. Christopher Waters from The UWI Five Islands Campus were the primary contributors on behalf of the university.

Executive director of the Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy, Dr. Branson Belle, emphasized the vital importance of protected areas for island nations confronting climate change. “Protected areas are absolutely essential for Small Island Developing States like Antigua and Barbuda, especially as we face the accelerating impacts of climate change,” Belle said. “These areas serve as critical buffers against environmental degradation and provide essential ecosystem services that our island communities depend upon for survival and resilience.” Belle said the publication’s case studies demonstrate proven approaches that other island nations can implement to meet international conservation targets while addressing climate vulnerability. The centre plans to work with regional governments to implement the financing strategies outlined in the publication, he said.

 The collaboration between COBE and greenCrowd aims to bridge the gap between ocean science and practical conservation finance with the  publication exploring sustainable financing approaches, including blue bonds and debt-for-nature swaps, that several Caribbean nations have successfully implemented to support long-term protected area management.

The Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy was launched in 2024 to strengthen regional capacity in ocean and coastal management through research, education and innovation. greenCrowd is a UK-based sustainability consultancy supporting impact-driven strategy and investment. They advise SMEs, public bodies, and finance institutions on clean energy, climate infrastructure, and nature solutions, while mobilizing institutional capital through their Impact Fund into scalable, climate-positive ventures.

The publication is available through the university’s website and the organisations’ LinkedIn pages.

About The UWI Five Islands

The UWI Five Islands, established in 2019 as the fifth campus of The University of the West Indies, represents a significant milestone in Caribbean higher education. Located in the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, this institution brings world-class education to the heart of the Caribbean.

As part of The University of the West Indies system, which has been consistently ranked among the best universities in the world by the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE), The UWI Five Islands upholds the same standards of academic excellence that have made The UWI a beacon of educational achievement in the region.

The campus offers a comprehensive range of over 40 degree programs spanning both undergraduate and postgraduate levels across four distinguished schools: School of Humanities and Education, School of Business and Management, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Science, Computing and Artificial Intelligence.

The campus is also proud to house The Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE), reflecting the institution’s commitment to marine science research and sustainable ocean-based economic development—critical areas for Caribbean nations.

Learn more at www.fiveislands.uwi.edu

(Please note that the proper name of the university is The University of the West Indies, inclusive of the “The”, hence The UWI.)

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