An Overview Of Our Solution
- Population Impacted:
- Continent: North America
Address
Belmont Fishing Beach
Bluefields
Jamaica
Population impacted
Size
6 miles radius (Bluefields, Mearnsville/Auldayr, Cave/Cave Mountain and Beeston Spring)
Major Occupations
Local resources the community depends on, and for what purpose
Local threats to resources
Climate Hazards
Level of sensitivity
Level of adaptive capacity
Upgrading of our Schools and Teachers, Fishery Protected Area, Organic Farming, Craft Development, Tourism Development (birdwatching, Hiking, Nature Walk, Marine Tours and accommodations).
Ecological Costs
Ecological Benefit
Economic Indicators used to measure benefit
hence reducing the use of dynamite and destruction of the coral reefs and sea bed grass.
Economic Cost
Work with Community Based Organization (CBOs) and Businesses and having a 50% membership attendance at meetings. Persons from these CBOs and Businesses earnings come from farming, fishing, tourism, teaching, and small entrepreneur ventures.
Economic Benefit
It Cost 10 million Jamaican Dollars per year to run the Marine Protected Area, Community Meetings cost $20,000.00 and for Job Training $150,000.00 per workshop per twenty five persons.
Ecological Indicators used to measure benefit
The marine protected areas and other protection areas are providing steady employment for fishers who became wardens and community persons. Alternative livelihood through tourism arrival increase earnings from eco-tours, marine tours, craft sales, accommodations, agro-processing products and catering services. This increases the purchasing power of persons who are generating funds from the above mentioned opportunities.
What were/are the challenges your community faced in implementing this solution?
Whenever a group of fifteen tourists come into the community each one is spending a minimum of US$1,000.00
Describe the community-based process used to develop the solution including tools and processes used
We meet as a council at least once per month to reach a consensus on the important issues: These meetings include representatives from the various Community Based Organizations (CBOs). Since we started in 1988, we have being meeting to come up with our five year development plan and have identified the four developmental goals which are: Education for All, Food for All, Jobs for All and the protection of our resources. We have also agreed to use Geo-Tourism to be the main community development driver. We have the Bluefields 20/20 vision plan. We also engaged partner such as Government, Universities, research organizations and funding agencies.
Climate hazard of concern
How does your solution reduce the exposure of and buffer/protect the ecosystem affected?
The marine protected area is aiding in the protection of shoreline and fisheries, Organic Farming is protecting the land while Geo-Tourism is proving alternative livelihood.
How has your solution increased the capacity of the ecosystem to adapt to potential climate changes?
Having the Marine protected area , sea grass beds, coral reefs and shoreline are more intact and stable. The Organic farming reduces landslide, flooding, less use of chemicals in growing land produce and the poisoning of our waters.
How does your solution reduce the exposure of and buffer/protect the communities affected?
The marine protected area and the organic farming are reducing storm surge, less flooding, lost of land, pollution of our rivers and underground water.
How does your solution reduce the sensitivity of the communities affected?
The Marine protected area in allowing for the regeneration of the fisheries which is seeing fishers catching more fish and having more marine life to show visitors coming to the area. Those who live on the shoreline are better protected because mangroves and other plat lives are encourage to grow. Residents have also been prepare to move to higher ground when building new residences and accommodations
How has your solution increased the capacity of local communities to adapt to potential climate changes?
With the implementation of our programs and projects the community is better prepare to protect our resources and are intentionally creating alternative livelihood in aggro-processing, craft development and Geo-tourism reduce the pressure natural environment which make the community more safe.
Can this solution be replicated elsewhere?
Resistance from fishers who continue to poach in the Marine Protected area and lack of adequate resources. Constant dialogue with Government, Funding Agencies, to increase resources and enforcers. Meeting with Fishers and community stakeholders to increase awareness which is contributing to greater compliance.