ABSTRACT
Adopted in 1983 the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region is the main framework for the protection of the marine environment in the Caribbean. The complex political structure is reflected in the maritime governance of the region. Although the sea is one of the main resources for the economic, social and cultural development of most of these countries, the many initiatives and regional governance commissions, are highly uncoordinated and fragmented, resulting often in duplication and ineffectiveness. As a result of the strong dependence on maritime activities, competition and conflicts for space and marine resources are a common issue in the Caribbean. This is enhanced by the proximity between countries, as the transboundary nature of the uses and resources is added to the interaction between the different uses of the sea and different factors such as natural disasters or climate change.
