As Barbados continues to build out its blue economy, the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU) will be instrumental in regularising the process for the establishment of the Marine Managed Areas Unit.
This was disclosed by Permanent Secretary in the Blue Economy Division of the Ministry of the Environment and National Beautification, Sonia Foster, during a rebranding ceremony for the CZMU recently.
Once created, Ms. Foster said, the CZMU will hold a series of public meetings on the establishment of marine managed areas and discuss the role and function of the Unit.
In outlining the significant achievements of the CZMU for close to 40 years, Ms. Foster said another significant undertaking of the Unit was the preparation of a Marine Spatial Plan for Barbados’ territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.
“This is a five to seven year programme that will engage with all sectors operating in the coastal and maritime space to produce a framework for the long term development and sustainable management of our blue environment jurisdiction,” the Permanent Secretary stated.
She noted that the rebranding of the CZMU’s logo was not a superficial exercise, but one designed to celebrate its 40 year in existence after being established in 1983.
It was also explained that the CZMU was born out of a need to address concerns over the perception of coastal erosion affecting the developing coastlines of Barbados and an urgent need for coastal zone management to address issues causing beach erosion.
And, Ms. Foster noted that through its work, the CZMU had made significant achievements including the National Coastal Risk Information Planning Platform.
“The blue economy continues to be an emerging concept that seeks to encourage better use of our ocean’s resources. It highlights the linkages between the ocean, climate change and the well-being of our people,” the Permanent Secretary outlined.
Meanwhile, Director of the CZMU, Dr. Leo Brewster, stated that with increasing focus being placed on the blue economy, it was essential for the Unit to turn its focus to the ocean and opportunities for the work undertaken. “We ensure that we have a sustainable coastline that we can be proud of,” he stated.
At the same time, Dr. Brewster issued a challenge to developers and property owners to ensure that every beach had a clear public access and to protect and preserve the ecosystem resources of the beaches.
“…Work with us now and into the future to ensure that we have a coast to be proud of and… expand the blue economy space for Barbados together with other entities…,” the Director pointed out.
He added that the goal was to ensure that the blue economy became a place of prominence in Barbados and the economic environment.