Kingston, Jamaica – A new UK-Jamaica partnership is strengthening coastal protection and supporting Caribbean fishing communities through expert guidance on restoring vital seagrass habitats.

The initiative forms part of the UK Government’s Sustainable Blue Economies Programme and is being delivered by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in collaboration with Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Cartagena Convention Secretariat.

“Seagrass meadows play a critical role in the Caribbean’s blue economies,” said a statement fro the UK High Commission in Jamaica.

“They serve as nurseries for commercially important fish species, protect coastlines from erosion, store carbon, and support the livelihoods of small-scale fishers and tourism-dependent communities,” it added.

Despite their importance, seagrass habitats continue to decline across the region, weakening coastal resilience and placing local economies at risk.

To address these challenges, a two-day technical workshop was recently held in Kingston from 5-6 February 2026. The workshop brought together national experts and key stakeholders, including representatives from the University of the West Indies, local marine protected areas, hotel groups, NEPA, and the National Fisheries Authority. Participants reviewed draft regional guidance for seagrass restoration across the wider Caribbean.

British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Alicia Herbert, noted:

“Caribbean seagrass, together with mangroves, and coral reefs form an interconnected natural system that protects coastlines, sustains livelihoods, and anchors the region’s blue economy. For many Caribbean communities, these ecosystems are cultural and economic lifelines whose restoration strengthens coastal resilience and advances inclusive, sustainable development.”

The project’s outcomes, include the first-ever Regional Guidance on Seagrass Restoration in the Caribbean, an assessment of opportunities for voluntary carbon markets, and a report exploring challenges and lessons from case studies.

This, the High Commissioner said, “represents an important step toward unlocking the ecological, economic, and social benefits of nature-based solutions in the Region.”

Herbert added that the initiative represents an important step towards unlocking the ecological, economic, and social benefits of nature-based solutions across the region.

Meanwhile, Monique Curtis, manager of NEPA’s Ecosystems Management Branch, highlighted the importance of the project for Jamaica:

“Jamaica stands to benefit significantly from this initiative through the protection and restoration of seagrass habitats, which strengthen the resilience of our coastal ecosystems and the livelihoods they sustain. Healthy seagrass meadows stabilise sediments, reduce coastal erosion, and dampen wave energy, providing a critical nature-based defence for our shorelines while supporting fisheries, food security, tourism assets, and coastal incomes.”

“Through this technical exchange, Jamaica will benefit from standardised approaches for seagrass restoration, monitoring, and adaptive management, equipping local practitioners with practical tools for ecosystem recovery alongside ongoing mangrove and coral reef restoration.”

UNEP Cartagena Convention Coordinator, Chris Corbin, also commenting on the workshop noted that:

“This workshop represents a decisive step in advancing seagrass restoration from regional ambition to coordinated implementation across the wider Caribbean, beginning with Jamaica. The regional guidance – strengthened through peer exchange and technical collaboration – will support countries in translating biodiversity commitments into tangible national action.”

“As restoration efforts scale up, strengthening partnerships and recognising the ecological connectivity between seagrasses, mangroves, and coral reefs will be essential for securing long-term coastal resilience.”

Research shows that healthy seagrass ecosystems play a vital role in reducing the impacts of hurricanes by anchoring coastal sediments, minimising erosion, and naturally dampening storm waves. In the Caribbean, established seagrass meadows have remained intact after major hurricanes, demonstrating their value as resilient, nature-based coastal defences.

During the workshop, participants explored monitoring approaches, shared case studies, and examined how restoration can strengthen ecosystem services and contribute to blue economy objectives. Discussions focused on refining regional guidance and supporting Jamaica’s ongoing restoration efforts.

A strong message emerged throughout the workshop: scaling up seagrass restoration alongside mangrove and coral reef recovery is urgent for building coastal resilience amid accelerating climate impacts. The guidance developed under this project has significant potential for wider adoption across the Caribbean.

A second regional workshop will be held in the Dominican Republic to ensure the guidance meets the needs of both English and Spanish-speaking countries.

The project aims to enhance technical capacity, regional cooperation, and knowledge-sharing to support sustainable blue economies and community livelihoods across the Caribbean.

The Sustainable Blue Economies Technical Assistance Platform partners with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to co-develop science, tools, and capacity for climate-resilient, sustainable marine economies. It is part of the UK Government-funded Sustainable Blue Economies Programme.

SIDS are home to approximately 65 million people and face significant social, economic, and environmental challenges. Climate change poses major risks to development and long-term resilience. Tourism and fisheries often account for over half of local economies, while marine ecosystems provide food, clean water, and storm protection.