DOMINICA NATIONAL OCEAN POLICY

Dominica has jurisdiction over an extensive marine area along with the associated living and non-living resources. It is an acknowledged fact that the oceans contribute to the overall well-being of Dominicans that they offer tremendous potential for creating employment, generating incomes and contributing to overall social and economic development. The marine area of Dominica is also home to important biodiversity that provides the natural capital to underpin the Blue Economy and which must be conserved and where necessary improved.

While a number of existing sectors undoubtedly contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of Dominica, the benefits to be derived from the oceans are not fully explored, and neither is there an indication of the precise economic worth of the contribution of the oceans.

Sectoral and species-based approaches are not sufficient to effectively deliver sustainable development and protection of our fragile marine environment. An approach is needed that coordinates management across sectors and resources and integrates environmental management directly with economic development, fiscal policy and social goals. Such an approach requires a change in how we view, manage, govern and use the ocean.

This National Ocean Policy (NOP) establishes a framework for integrated marine planning and management of Dominica’s marine space and the activities that occur within it from 2020 until 2035. All relevant planning, authorisation or enforcement decisions, or development of government policy, will take account of this NOP and the supporting Strategic Action Plan (SAP).