Gulf2018 Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program MPAConnect Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute 2018 FY2018 CRCP Project ID 625; Project Title: Implementing the CRCP International Strategy in the Wider Caribbean; Principal Investigator: Scot Frew "MPAConnect is a learning network of MPA managers and professionals in the Caribbean that works to increase the effectiveness of MPA management by addressing specific capacity needs of individual MPAs through a variety of means, including regional peer to peer workshops, site-specific technical support, learning exchanges and direct grant funding. Since 2010, this partnership between the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through their Coral Reef Conservation Program, and the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) has addressed MPA management capacity by building a network of some 30 MPAs from 10 countries and territories in the Wider Caribbean region. The capacity building initiatives by MPAConnect are founded on a management capacity tool that translates day-to-day management challenges into targeted capacity building approaches to help MPA managers meet conservation commitments. Based on detailed assessments in 2011 and 2017 which apply a specialized tool for facilitated self-evaluation of management capacity by MPA managers, the initiative works to understand and address capacity as related to 20 distinct elements of effective MPA management programs. The MPAConnect approach to capacity building is to facilitate peer to peer learning in the region by strategically targeting the highest priority management needs identified by managers through the assessment process. To date the partnership has helped MPAs increase their management capacity on top priority needs, while also following up on site-specific management capacity needs and establishing a close-knit network between coral reef MPA managers and organizations with MPA management expertise. There is much experience to share between Caribbean MPAs. Mentor sites that recorded Tier 3 for capacity in the 2011 MPA management capacity assessment made excellent contributions to building capacity among their peers at the regional peer-to-peer workshops. MPAConnect includes a network of knowledgeable and experienced MPA mentors regional MPA go-to people who stand ready to share their experience and provide guidance in the face of common challenges to effective MPA management." 20200330000000 https://www.gcfi.org/initiatives/mpa-capacity-program/ None 180 -180 -90 90 web-page web-page CoRIS Bibliographic