SeaSketch Used to Create Draft Sanctuaries in Barbuda

Using SeaSketch, the Barbuda Council has developed a draft plan for seven marine sanctuaries.

Council Proposal

On August 16, 2013, the Barbuda Council used SeaSketch to visualize and analyze geospatial information about the distribution of resources and human activities in and around the 3 nm boundary of Barbuda waters.

The proposal provides for 6 sanctuaries - 5 oceanic and 1 in the lagoon - that permanently close fishing of any kind in a total of 38% of Barbuda waters. We are now consulting with stakeholders in public meetings and one-on-one to solicit reactions and alternate ideas.

Using simple drawing tools, council members authored draft maps in a two-hour meeting. Sketches were immediately evaluated to determine whether they met science and policy guidelines for ecosystem protection and minimizing impacts to fishermen on the island.

A public discussion forum in SeaSketch was used to post these ideas and solicit feedback from citizens of Barbuda. Alternate ideas, criticisms and support for this "straw-man" proposal will be recorded in the discussion forum and reviewed by the council 4 days later.

Stakeholders also used sketching tools to author modified versions of the council proposal and evaluate them using the reporting and analytical features in SeaSketch.