Ocean and coastal states around the world are increasingly seeking to better utilize and benefit from their ocean environments, which can be vast in comparison to their land areas. Conflicting human uses, a changing climate, and a desire to ensure long-term sustainability compound the challenge to grow a robust “blue economy.” Consequently, countries are turning to marine spatial planning as a comprehensive management tool to assess and organize present uses of their ocean environments and map for future uses.

This document was prepared by the Environmental Law Institute in partnership with Rare. The legal reports for Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico – the four countries of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (MAR) – cover aspects of fisheries and marine management laws that set out the framework for protecting the sustainability of small-scale fisheries, marine ecosystems, and the livelihoods of the fisherfolk who depend upon them.

This document was prepared by the Environmental Law Institute in partnership with Rare. The report provides information regarding the structure and function of the Honduras government and the institutional and legal framework for the governance of small-scale fisheries and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Specifically, this report summarizes main actors and the legal framework for artisanal/small-scale fisheries and for management of fish resources in protected areas.

This document was prepared by the Environmental Law Institute in partnership with Rare. The report provides information regarding the structure and function of the Guatemalan government, and the institutional legal framework of the governance of small-scale fisheries and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Specifically, this report summarizes main actors and the legal framework for artisanal/small-scale fisheries, and for management of fisheries resources and marine protected areas.

This document was prepared by the Environmental Law Institute in partnership with Rare. The report describes the legal framework for regulation of small-scale fisheries and Marine Protected Area (MPA) management in and adjacent to the coastal waters of Belize. The report also describes the structure and function of the government of Belize. 

This document was prepared by the Environmental Law Institute in partnership with Rare. The report provides information regarding the structure and function of the Mexican government, as well as the institutional legal framework for the governance of small-scale fisheries and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Specifically, this report summarizes main actors and the legal framework for artisanal/small-scale fisheries, and for management of fish resources in protected areas.

The regulation of human activities at sea, and the environmental impact of these activities, have long been a source of frustration for domestic and international policymakers.

In February 2015, the Government of Curaçao and the Waitt Institute signed a memorandum of understanding to launch Blue Halo Curaçao (BHC), a comprehensive ocean and coastal management initiative with a goal of achieving the sustainable management of Curaçao’s ocean and coastal waters. BHC seeks to develop a Curaçao Sustainable Ocean Policy that will ensure long-term health of Curaçao’s waters through ocean zoning, protected areas, and fisheries reforms.

In 2015, the Environmental Law Institute, in collaboration with the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI), examined the legal frameworks for MPA enforcement in eight countries within the Caribbean. The resulting report helps to guide efforts to build capacity for effective MPA enforcement in the region. In 2018, the Environmental Law Institute was tasked with conducting a review of the legal framework for MPA enforcement at Three Bays National Park, Haiti, which serves as a ninth chapter to that report.