Developing National Ocean Policies and Strategies

HMC led work with the OECS and the governments of St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica and Grenada to develop new national ocean policies and associated strategic action plans, and to revise the Eastern Caribbean Regional Ocean Policy.

Our work consisted of a review of the Blue Economy policy, legislation, and institutional capacity of participating nations, founded upon extensive stakeholder engagement. This resulted in the development of national ocean policy frameworks to support the integrated delivery of the Blue Economy. Supporting this policy development, HMC delivered training on ocean governance, a Blue Economy, and marine spatial planning to officials from each member state.

In addition to working at a national level, HMC led the review and subsequent update of the Eastern Caribbean Regional Ocean Policy to align with the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We also provided advice on the implementation of the OECS Code of Conduct for Marine Research, and the OECS Marine Research Strategy.

Key messages:

• HMC worked across the Eastern Caribbean to develop integrated national ocean policy frameworks
• This project provided a means to integrate from regional to national policy, and in doing so to support the delivery of coastal and marine spatial planning
• Stakeholder engagement was core to our work in developing policy and strategic action plans

Reports and links

• https://oecs.org/en/crop
• Developing National Ocean Policy Baseline Analysis Report https://www.oecs.org/en/our-work/knowledge/library/ocean-governance/caribbean-regional-oceanscape-project-developing-national-ocean-policy-baseline-analysis-report
• CROP E-Book series: https://oecs.org/en/crop#CEB=
• Video on the Blue Economy in the Caribbean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bsPt-VS0W4
• Webinars
  • Looking after Our Ocean in the OECS
  • A Blue Economy for the OECS
  • Delivering Good Ocean Governance in the OECS