Promoting a multi-stakeholder network to develop and implement a comprehensive and effective national MPA strategy in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

This NOAA supported project was designed to strengthen linkages between Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and conservation staff and those supporting the formation of new MPAs in areas of the Dominican Republic. The project supported public-private collaboration, sharing of resources and lessons learned in order to strengthen the effective management of MPAs throughout the country. A key aspect of the project was to encourage both established MPAs and those in the process of being formed to use a more participatory multi-stakeholder and community-based approach in their work, building awareness and garnering greater support among fishing communities and tourism sectors for the importance of no-take MPAs as well as steps that can be taken to lower negative land-based and user-based threats to reefs.