In February 2015, the Government of Montserrat and the Waitt Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding that launched Blue Halo Montserrat. Blue Halo Montserrat is a partnership between the Government of Montserrat and the Waitt Institute to achieve sustainable ocean management through marine spatial planning, fisheries management, and community stewardship. Our goal is to foster the sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable use of ocean resources for present and future generations. Over a five-years period, we will develop and implement sustainable ocean policies through a process that deeply engages stakeholders and is based on scientific, social, and economic data.

Blue Halo Montserrat has 4 phases: (1) Assessments (2) Policy Design & Planning; (3) Implementation; and (4) On-going management by Montserrat (long-term). During the assessment phase, we map marine habitat, identify ocean uses, collect fisheries data, review existing laws and regulations that govern the ocean, and conduct extensive community consultations. We do so by partnering with a group of technical experts and scientists. The policy design and planning phase is dedicated to marine spatial planning, legal drafting and financial planning. Once the marine spatial plan and necessary laws are in place, we enter the third phase of policy implementation to build capacity for ocean management, compliance and enforcement. Phase 4 addresses the adaptive management of protected areas and fisheries through scientific monitoring, community engagement and capacity building. Throughout the initiative we engage stakeholders and the public through social media, events, and education activities.

Blue Halo partners works closely with government staff, local non-profit organizations and community leaders to transfer the knowledge and skills needed for effective ocean management. We support travel to conferences and trainings, bring international experts to project sites, and assist our partners in seeking external grant funding to strengthen ocean management. A data-sharing agreement is in place to ensure to data collected throughout the initiative.

Blue Halo Montserrat is led by Montserrat’s Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Lands Housing and the Environment (MATHLE) and the Waitt Institute. The Waitt Institute is a non-profit organization based in San Diego, California and was founded in 2005 by Ted Waitt (co-founder of Gateway, Inc.). The Institute partners with small-island governments to envision, create, and implement sustainable ocean policies. We are currently working through three partnerships in the Caribbean, Blue Halo Barbuda, Blue Halo Curaçao, and Blue Halo Montserrat and through the Vava’u Ocean Initiative in Tonga. Blue Halo Montserrat partners with local government departments, stakeholders, technical experts, and scientists. The Blue Halo Steering Committee, a Government-appointed advisory group inclusive of government and stakeholders participates in the initiative throughout the planning and implementation stages.

Government of Montserrat, Waitt Institute