A network of effective Marine Protected Areas for Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde’s (CV) coastal and marine ecosystems and coastal communities are negatively affected by multiple fishing pressures, low enforcement of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and under-developed management systems for marine resources, including weak co-management systems. Coordination across the MPA network is challenging and the differing conditions of the MPAs and the islands mean that broad national policies are not always responsive to the specific needs of each island. Wide-spread ecosystem degradation in coastal and marine areas in CV threatens its unique variety of rare and often endemic wildlife, and undermines the food security, livelihoods, and wellbeing of marine resource- dependent communities. Uncontrolled and unregulated exploitation of key marine species, and unregulated tourism and aquaculture developments have resulted from chronic underfunding, limited technical and financial resources within government, and limited implementation of MPA designations and management plans. Incomplete ecological and other data has resulted in weaknesses and inconsistencies in MPA legal frameworks and management plans.

Yet, there are increasing signs of government commitment that provide an important opportunity for marine conservation. The government has made substantial international commitments to the conservation of marine resources, and in 2020, Maio was designated as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, covering an area of almost 74,000ha, including the entire island and over 47,000ha of sea. In addition, the reestablishment of the Ministry of the Sea (MoS), along with the inception of a technical committee dedicated to MPAs and wider marine issues, provides a critical opportunity to see these commitments translated into decisions by authorities that have communicated a strong will and readiness to implement needed changes, e.g. to develop appropriate systems for co-management of MPAs. Now the MoS is working with Oceano Azul and the Blue Prosperity Coalition to prepare an MoU covering work to assess frameworks specific to co-management and MPA financing in CV. Other key marine funders, such as the Blue Action Fund, are also investing in CV’s marine resources.

This project aims to use this opportunity to bring 31,000 km2 at 17 sites under robust management. The intended outcome is the improved management of globally significant marine protected areas in CV, and their sustainable use, in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The project will support CV in progressing towards its international commitments and national targets for marine conservation, poverty alleviation, and climate change adaptation, and provide a model for other island nations. This request would provide co-financing for FFI’s pending application to the Blue Action Fund