CAMAC Project
CAribbean marine Megafauna and anthropogenic ACtivities
Logo CAMAC Caribbean Marine Megafauna and Anthropogenics Activities
Logo CAMAC Caribbean Marine Megafauna and Anthropogenics Activities
The habitats of most species of marine megafauna (sharks, sea turtles, marine mammals and seabirds) increasingly overlap with human activities such as fishing, shipping and tourism. These cumulative interactions can have negative impacts. Marine megafauna that permanently live in or migrate through the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) cross boundaries with varying levels of protection, legislation and protection measures. The CAMAC project was conceived in this context.
Marine megafauna and human activities: limited knowledge of interactions
Anthropogenic interactions with marine megafauna can lead to changes in their vital behaviours but also to injuries or in worst cases death. A large proportion of the species in the Caribbean are vulnerable. At the same time these interactions can also be an issue for human activities. For example, bycatch and depredation (snatching of fish in nets or on lines by predatory species) can lead to degradation or loss of fishing gear, or reduced yield. In addition, some activities are directly dependent on the presence of marine megafauna species, such as whale-watching or scuba diving.
In the Caribbean, the numerous interactions between marine megafauna and human activities are identified, but poorly quantified or managed.
Un groupe de cétacés dans la baie de Fort-de-France côtoie un gazier.
Aquasearch
Un groupe de cétacés dans la baie de Fort-de-France côtoie un gazier.
Aquasearch
A Caribbean collaboration for marine megafauna and human activities
The CAMAC project, CAribbean marine Megafauna and anthropogenic ACtivities, aims to improve knowledge about marine megafauna and human activities interactions and strengthen regional collaboration. The goal is to provide Caribbean governing bodies and environmental stakeholders with recommendations and tools to reduce the negative impacts of these interactions. To reach this objective, five specific objectives have been defined:
- Improve knowledge of Caribbean marine megafauna (marine mammals, marine turtles, seabirds, sharks and rays);
- Assess the environmental and socio-economic issues related to interactions between human activities and marine megafauna
- Strengthen regional cooperation and the skills of stakeholders (in particular by reinforcing existing networks);
- Strengthen the commitment of young Caribbeans to the conservation of megafauna and marine heritage in general;
- Make recommendations to the governing bodies in order to support the implementation of the most appropriate policies.
Two phases - Six main areas of work
The CAMAC project is implemented in two phases over a five-year period (2023-2027). Throughout this timeframe, the project partners collaborate through six main areas of work, also referred to as work packages (WPs). These WPs have been designed to reach the five specific objectives described above.
The first phase of the project, in 2023, focused mainly on building partnerships and defining the scientific protocols. More information and resulting deliverables of this work here.
The second phase, officially launched in September 2025, corresponds to the operational deployment of the project. It is led by the Agoa Sanctuary, in close collaboration with the SPAW RAC, WWF-NL and WIDECAST network.
After phase 1, the project expanded its scope, aiming to include the whole Caribbean region :
CAMAC2 scope
CAMAC2 scope
A complementary partnership
The four organisations carrying the project have complementary expertises. We work in close collaboration, joining forces to successfully reach the ambitious objectives of CAMAC :
The six Work Packages general objective
Each work package is led by a work package leader. However, as cooperation is key in the CAMAC project, connections are numerous and frequent between all workpackages and stakeholders.
Work Package 1 - Phase 2
Work Package 2 - Phase 2
Work Package 3 - Phase 2
Work Package 4 - Phase 2
Work Package 5 - Phase 2
Work Package 6 - Phase 2
A European program to favor cooperation in the Caribbean
CAMAC is a project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the framework of the Interreg Caribbean programme up to 85% for a total budget of 3 756 700 € for the second phase
