Marine Protected Areas In Grenada

Moliniere-Beausejour

The Moliniere/Beausejour Marine Protected Area (MBMPA) was established in 2001 to protect the reef and serve as a nursery for juvenile fish. Covering 60 hectares (0.23 sq. miles) and 2.2 km long, it also promotes tourism and education. MPAs help improve fishing in nearby waters by allowing fish populations to grow and disperse.

Fishing is prohibited, and wardens enforce regulations and monitor the reef. Six nearby communities are involved in its management, with initiatives like coastal cleanups. Anchoring is banned, with white mooring balls for non-commercial use and red for commercial. Fees include $10 USD per mooring, $1 for snorkeling, and $2 for SCUBA, supporting marine conservation.

Grand Anse Marine Protected Area

The Grand Anse Marine Protected Area (GAMPA) was officially launched on January 26, 2017, to protect Grand Anse Beach, a hub for tourism, fishing, and recreation. Due to high traffic from hotels, restaurants, dive shops, visitors, and yachts, the area faced risks of overuse and pollution, making conservation crucial.

GAMPA aligns with Grenada’s strategic plan to enhance marine biodiversity and meet commitments under Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI). Grenada pledged to protect 25% of its coastal waters by 2020 and now has four MPAs, with Grand Anse being the largest.

The MPA was established through a collaboration between Grenada’s Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, and Fisheries, The Nature Conservancy, and the ECMMAN Project, with funding from Germany’s BMUB.

Sandy Island Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area

The Sandy Island Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area (SIOBMPA), established on July 31, 2010, is a vital conservation area in Grenada, home to coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, sea turtles, and the rare Grenadian Bank Tree Boa. It spans from Tyrrel Bay mangroves to Lauriston, including offshore islands like Sandy Island and Mabouya Island.

SIOBMPA follows a co-management model with input from NGOs, government agencies, and local organizations to ensure sustainable use and conservation. Its goals include marine ecosystem protection, community engagement, eco-tourism, and sustainable fishing.

Woburn Clarkes Court Bay Marine Protected Area

The Woburn Clarkes Court Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA), located in Grenada, contains the largest intact mangrove ecosystem on the island. This area plays a key role in protecting over three miles of coastline from erosion and serves as vital habitat for fish, birds, and wildlife such as iguanas and snakes.

The MPA is managed by Grenada's fisheries and forestry departments, with essential support from nonprofits like the Grenada Fund for Conservation and Woburn Woodlands Development Organization. These groups help with conservation activities, including cleanups, education, and mangrove replanting.