Building science policy interfaces: some experiences from the Caribbean Robin Mahon Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) University of the West Indies, Barbados Overarching principle in ocean governance, namely ecosystem based management. You could say that all of these principles guiding ocean gov decision-making lead us towards our goal for the oceans, which is SD. So, I’ve titled my presentation, “From…souce” to make no bones about the fact that we are talking about a paradigm shift and specifically about Behavioural CHANGE…at the user level, the scientific level, the political level and yes, particularly at the consumer level. Building International Partnership to Enhance Science-Based Ecosystem Approaches in Support of Regional Ocean Governance 27-28 November, Cape Town, South Africa

Topics The science policy interface has been approached from several angles Research on the science policy interface The UWI-CRFM Connection Getting fishers input to policy making Engaging the marine science laboratories National Intersectoral Committees The CLME+ Research Strategy

Research on the science policy interface Interviewed 102 policy advisors and decision makers in 24 countries Obtain perspectives on the constraints to use of science in policy making for marine EBM McConney, P., Fanning, L., Mahon, R. and Simmons, B. 2016. A first look at the science-policy interface for ocean governance in the Wider Caribbean Region. Front. Mar. Sci. 2:119. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2015.00119

Research on the science policy interface To determine: Meetings in which they used science Where the sought and found science Constraints on access to data and information Other factors influencing their decisions Regional information sharing Demand for information at meetings Top needs for information

The UWI-CRFM Connection Both CARICOM institutions MOU UWI Ocean Governance Network Reporting to FORUM Feedback on science needs Many challenges

Getting fishers input to policy making Building a multilevel regional fisherfolk network ‘The Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations CNFO’

Engaging the marine science laboratories Regional Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean (AMLC) Conduit for accessing and focusing expertise to address issues? Challenges – concerns of scientists

National Intersectoral Committees Mahon, R., P. McConney, K. Parsram, B. Simmons, M. Didier, L. Fanning, P. Goff, B.Haywood and T. Shaw. 2010. Ocean governance in the Wider Caribbean Region: Communication and coordination mechanisms by which states interact with regional organisations and projects. CERMES Technical Report No. 40. 84p. http://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/cermes/docs/technical_reports/mahon_2010_ocean_governance_in_the_wider_caribbean.aspx McConney, P., I. Monnereau, B. Simmons and R. Mahon. 2016. Report on the Survey of National Intersectoral Coordination Mechanisms. Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. CERMES Technical Report No. 84:75pp. http://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/cermes/getdoc/08993a4c-cdf8-44d0-8db0-094ec47ab9dc/mcconney_et_al_2016_national_intersectoral_coordin.aspx

CLME Research Strategy Strategy for the ICM Primarily about processes linking science consumers with science providers Includes processes for inventory and identification of gaps