Marine Spatial Planning- Colombia

Cover photo credit: MarViva

Background

Cartagena Bay and its surrounding areas feature a mix of natural ecosystems and production systems, with biodiversity playing a crucial role. The region includes diverse ecosystems such as beaches, mangroves, wetlands, dry forests, seagrasses, and coral reefs, extending from the mainland to the archipelagos of the Rosario and San Bernardo islands, which are strongly linked to the tourist development of Cartagena, the primary tourist destination in Colombia. However, the bay suffers from heavy pollution due to industrial waste, sewage, and continental runoff from the Dique Canal including large sediment fluxes flowing from the Magdalena River. A lack of integrated planning and management has contributed to ecosystem degradation and fishery decline, highlighting the need for comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategies, building on existing environmental, conservation, and planning initiatives.

PROCARIBE+ Intervention:

Building on the efforts focused on implementing the Ecological Restoration Master Plan for Cartagena Bay, the PROCARIBE+ Project will carry out a Marine and Coastal Spatial Planning exercise in Cartagena Bay. This aims to align sectoral strategies, improve conservation, and support a blue economy based on marine and coastal resources.

The planning covers the entire bay and its area of influence, approximately 274 km² and aiming to coordinate and integrate marine and coastal conservation efforts, the reduction of ecosystem degradation, and the establishment of a governance model that ensures institutional, community, and sectoral participation in the sustainable management of the bay.

The action aims to develop an MSP exercise integrating marine biodiversity conservation with sustainable socioeconomic development in the Bay of Cartagena and surrounding areas (274 km²), which will promote effective management of natural resources and the well-being of local communities.

Marine and coastal ecosystems of Cartagena Bay and its area of influence. (source: DAMCRA-Minambiente GIS)

Key Activities:

IOCARIBE will coordinate Colombia’s Marine Spatial Planning efforts with the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Minambiente), Marine and Coastal Research Institute (INVEMAR) and other local and national partners.

The main activities include: 

• Analyzing existing and potential conservation strategies, including protected areas like the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals Protected Area, mangrove ecosystems and areas of environmental interest identified. 
• Zoning conservation areas based on biophysical factors and establishing regulations for their use.
• Developing a planning and management framework to promote sustainable activities while preserving coastal-marine natural capital.
• Implementing a governance model that ensures coordination among institutions and local communities for biodiversity management.
• Advancing the declaration of a new Protected Area in the Varadero sector in collaboration with the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat.

Anticipated Benefits of the MSP Process:

The MSP exercise for Cartagena Bay, aligned with national regulations, will harmonize sectoral strategies while enhancing conservation efforts and supporting a blue economy based on marine and coastal resources. This integrated, participatory approach aims to ensure the long-term health of the marine environment and the well-being of coastal communities.

Key anticipated benefits include:

• Reduced user conflicts through clear zoning for different activities.
• Improved environmental management via enhanced protection and restoration of ecosystems.
• Greater climate resilience by incorporating mitigation and adaptation measures.
• Sustainable economic growth by balancing development with environmental sustainability.