Blue Halo Barbuda is a collaboration between the Barbuda Council, the office of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbuda Fisheries, Codrington Lagoon National Park officials, and the Waitt Institute. In February 2013, Blue Halo Barbuda launched as a comprehensive ocean and coastal management project. Over a five-years period, the Blue Halo partners are working to develop and implement sustainable ocean policies focused on marine spatial planning, sanctuary zones, and fisheries regulations. The goal of Blue Halo Barbuda is to foster the sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable use of ocean resources for present and future generations.

Blue Halo Barbuda has 4 phases: (1) Assessments (2) Policy Design & Planning; (3) Implementation; and (4) On-going management by Barbuda (long-term). During the assessment phase (2013), we mapped marine habitat, identified ocean uses, collected fisheries data, reviewed existing laws and regulations that govern the ocean, and conducted extensive community consultations. We developed a zoning plan including a legal framework during the policy design and planning phase (2014). We entered the third phase of policy implementation in 2015, have since been focused on building and strengthening 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.

Waitt Institute 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 Barbuda is led by the Barbuda Council 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 Barbuda and through the Vava’u Ocean Initiative in Tonga. Blue Halo Barbuda partners with national government departments, stakeholders, non-profit organizations, technical experts, and scientists.

Barbuda Council, Codrington Lagoon National Park, Waitt Institute