At its core, the Oracabessa model we propose to scale-up to other areas in Jamaica is a participatory process. During the site identification phase, fishers and wider community members are asked if they want to be involved in the project to manage their fishing area. If they are, the project proceeds, if not another site is identified. The idea of a sanctuary is not imposed upon a community. Once agreement is reached with the fishers and community members, they are responsible for the project planning and design. Boundary demarcation is especially important and rests totally upon the community to work through the process and identify final boundaries. The Sanctuaries themselves will be implemented and monitored by the fisher/tourism partnerships which will be established. The partnerships will be responsible for creating ongoing budgets, work schedules and annual reviews. The activities to be carried out are: Engage fishing community and establish bi-monthly meetings at each site to facilitate the establishment of fish sanctuaries. Conduct training workshop on organizational management with gender mainstreamed. Develop constitutions for fisherfolk community groups at bi monthly community meetings. Constitutions will be finalized and ratified by the community group. Legally register community group with either the Companies Office of Jamaica or the Department of Cooperative and Friendly Societies. Select wardens from membership of community group. Train wardens in Standard Operational Procedures of a fish sanctuary. Train community on operations and management planning of a fish sanctuary. Wardens from Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary provide on the job support training working alongside wardens from the new fish sanctuaries. Twenty 100 hours for each sanctuary.Train and certify 3 persons from each fisherfolk group in SCUBA diving. Conduct coral reef survey workshop for a total of 15 community persons. Engage National Environment & Planning Agency and the Fisheries Division to appoint wardens from each sanctuary as Game Wardens or Fisheries Inspectors to empower them to enforce fish sanctuary regulations.

Fisher controlled sanctuaries have demonstrated the capacity to be an effective tool in reversing the trend of declining fish stocks and coral coverage, while simultaneously improving fisher livelihoods and the value of the tourism product. In the creation of a ''no fishing zone'' the breeding grounds and fish habitats of the fish are protected to promote a gradual increase in the fish population in the protected area as well as in adjacent fishing areas. The sanctuaries will be designed to provide a maximum 'spill over' effect. In addition, the design of the sanctuaries will enable the marine population to replenish itself and thereby allow fish to reach full maturity and reproduce which will result in an exponential increase in the fish stock. Further to the benefits to be gained, the spill over effects works in the sense that the space in the sanctuary is limited and when the population of fish reach a certain capacity, they have to leave and find new areas to feed and have a habitat, the fishermen will then set their traps along the edge and catch those that are leaving, thus protecting those left inside. This principle enables the fishermen to earn money from the increased fish supply, while protecting future stock, and thus providing a sustainable livelihood.

In administering and managing the project, youth plays a vital role in project management and implementation. In addition, the main contact with youth during a sanctuary set-up process comes through interaction with spear shooters. They are often younger than boat fishers. Their involvement in the project comes as a result of their relationship to the fishing area.

The National Environment and Planning Agency and the Fisheries Division will be engaged to appoint wardens from each sanctuary as either Game Wardens or Fisheries Inspectors to empower them to enforce fish sanctuary regulations under the Wildlife and Protection Act. Mapping exercises will be conducted with communities to document the location of resources and how they are used. A Draft boundary to protect 30% of fishing ground will be created. The Fisheries division will then to ground truth proposed boundary and negotiate any proposed adjustments with the fishing community. The boundary will then be gazetted by the Fisheries Division and a Memorandum Of Understanding to be pursued and signed with Community Based Organizations to manage newly established fish sanctuaries.

The primary vessel through which project knowledge will be captured and shared is via the fisher organization which will either be formed or strengthened. This will be the primary point of contact for local fishers to learn about the project through ongoing meetings and discussions. This group will also play the role of liaison with other fishing groups interested in learning more about the project. The fisher/tourism partnership will also play a role in this regard as other tourism interests become engaged with the project. The Oracabessa Marine Trust is also interested and willing to work with GEF SGP to develop a case study looking at best practices across the sanctuary development process. Short video testimonials compiled from participants can also be a useful knowledge management tool.

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