The Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture announces the successful completion of a stakeholder workshop for the promotion of Land Based Sources of Pollution (LBS) Protocol ratification in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, held on Tuesday, 5th August, 2025 at the Methodist Church Hall.
The workshop brought together key government ministries and agencies to advance Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' commitment to protecting its marine environment and coastal ecosystems. The session was facilitated by Dr. Maurice Narcis, Senior Research Officer from the Regional Activity Centre - Institute of Maritime Affairs (RAC IMA), with online participation from Ms. Laverne Walker, Programme Management Officer of the Cartagena Convention Secretariat.
Representatives from multiple agencies participated, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ministry of Agriculture-Fisheries Division, Forestry Department, Maritime Affairs SVG, Physical Planning, Solid Waste Management Unit, National Parks Rivers and Beaches Authority, Ministry of Health/Public Health, SVG Conservation Fund, and Ministry of Legal Affairs.
The LBS Protocol, adopted in 1999 under the Cartagena Convention framework, addresses one of the most significant threats to Caribbean marine ecosystems: pollution from land-based sources including domestic wastewater, solid waste, agricultural runoff, industrial effluent, and sediment from deforestation and construction activities.
Stakeholders examined the critical links between land-based activities and marine pollution, with particular focus on protecting Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. The workshop highlighted the benefits of ratification, including access to technical assistance, capacity building opportunities, improved water quality, and enhanced integrated coastal zone management.
This collaborative session represents a significant step forward in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' environmental protection efforts, demonstrating commitment to regional cooperation and sustainable marine resource management. The Protocol supports the use of best available techniques and environmental practices while promoting data collection and pollution monitoring capabilities.
This initiative reinforces Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' dedication to preserving its marine heritage for future generations while supporting sustainable tourism, fisheries productivity, and coastal community livelihoods.
SOURCE: Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture
