Healthy Oceans Deliver Economic, Cultural Benefits for the U.S. Caribbean

Since 2009, Pew has advocated for sustainable fishing, ocean habitat conservation, and other measures that protect vital marine resources in the U.S. Caribbean..

Pew championed science-based catch limits and tailored fishery management plans for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and began work with fishery managers on plans to draft guidelines for incorporating into management decisions the latest science on the interdependence of coastal and marine habitats, changing ocean conditions, and how people use ocean resources. These guidelines will help managers identify risks and outline strategies to enhance the health of ecosystems and coastal economies. 

Pew also funded university research aimed at understanding the perspectives of diverse fishery stakeholders about important ocean issues to help inform development of fishery management plans that protect both people’s access to fisheries and the region’s valuable marine resources. 

This work, done in partnership with scientists, managers, fishermen, and conservationists, helped lay the groundwork for a more comprehensive approach to fisheries management in the Caribbean.

In 2019, Pew expanded its commitment to ocean conservation in the U.S. by enhancing its focus on essential coastal habitats. Read more about this ongoing work at Conserving Marine Life in the U.S.— Caribbean page.