CHM - ORTThis action identifies ecosystems and species that are threatened or degraded, determines the possibility of rehabilitating or restoring such ecosystems location by location, and develops methodologies and action plans for restoration of high-priority sites and species. It protects designated species from further declines in number and increases populations by enhancing existing habitats or stocking new habitats.
It addresses degradation caused by habitat fragmentation, pollution, eutrophication, encroachment, poaching and smuggling through restoration methodologies, enforcement measures, and regulatory instruments. Restoration of wetlands, coral reefs and other ecosystems contributes to ecosystem recovery and supports reduction of nutrient loading and associated biodiversity pressures.
The 2018/2021 Revision indicates that implementation has advanced through declaration of protected areas, closed seasons for marine species and birds, rehabilitation of wetlands and coral reefs, and continued inter-agency cooperation. These measures demonstrate active conservation and restoration efforts. However, nationally consolidated restoration baselines and standardized ecological performance indicators remain under development, limiting systematic aggregation of outcomes at the national scale.
For the GBF targets aligned with this action (Targets 2, 4 and 7), the validation mapping identifies DEPP and the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) as responsible institutions. Government entities aligned to these targets include the Department of Marine Resources (DMR), the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), the University of The Bahamas (UB), the Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute (BTVI), and the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI). Non-governmental stakeholders identified as aligned contributors include the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation (BMMRO), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and Wild Bahamas.
Achieving this target requires strengthening regulatory enforcement, scaling ecosystem restoration programs, and integrating biodiversity safeguards into fisheries, land-use, and pollution control policies. Actions include implementation of invasive species control strategies, restoration of degraded habitats, and enhancement of compliance monitoring in coastal and marine zones.
The National Policy and Institutional Alignment Review with the Global Biodiversity Framework in The Bahamas highlights the need for improved cross-sector coordination and enforcement capacity. Therefore, policy measures include strengthening inspection regimes, enhancing collaboration with local communities and NGOs, and integrating climate resilience considerations into restoration planning to address hurricane-related impacts.
| Objectifs mondiaux | Degré d’alignement |
GBF-T02. GBF-T02.Veiller à ce que, d'ici à 2030, au moins 30 % des zones d'écosystèmes terrestres, d'eaux intérieures et d'écosystèmes marins et côtiers dégradés fassent l'objet de mesures de remise en état efficaces, afin d'améliorer la biodiversité, les fonctions et services écosystémiques, ainsi que l'intégrité et la connectivité écologiques. | Moyen |
GBF-T04. GBF-T04.Prendre des mesures urgentes en matière de gestion en vue de faire cesser l'extinction d'origine humaine des espèces menacées connues et d'assurer leur rétablissement et leur conservation, en particulier les espèces menacées, afin de réduire significativement leur risque d'extinction ainsi que de sauvegarder et de rétablir la diversité génétique au sein des populations d'espèces indigènes, sauvages et domestiquées et entre elles, en vue de préserver leur potentiel d'adaptation, notamment grâce à des mesures de conservation in situ et ex situ et à des méthodes de gestion durable, et gérer efficacement les interactions entre l'homme et la faune de manière à limiter les conflits liés à leur cœxistence. | Moyen |
GBF-T07. GBF-T07.Réduire les risques liés à la pollution et les incidences négatives de la pollution provenant de toutes les sources d'ici à 2030, en les portant à des niveaux sans danger pour la biodiversité et les fonctions et services écosystémiques, en tenant compte des effets cumulatifs, notamment : a) en réduisant au moins de moitié l'excès de nutriments perdus dans l'environnement, notamment grâce à un cycle et à une utilisation plus efficaces des nutriments ; b) en réduisant au moins de moitié les risques globaux liés aux pesticides et aux produits chimiques particulièrement dangereux, notamment grâce à des mesures intégrées de contrôle des ravageurs, sur la base de données scientifiques, en tenant compte des questions de sécurité alimentaire et de moyens d'existence ; c) en prévenant la pollution plastique, en la réduisant et en s'employant à l'éliminer. | Moyen |
This target reflects national circumstances, priorities and capabilities through ecosystem restoration, species protection and habitat rehabilitation initiatives implemented within the national environmental and fisheries framework. It relies on science and innovation to inform restoration methodologies and species management measures. Cross-sector coordination supports cooperation and synergies among environmental, fisheries, climate and enforcement authorities. The target contributes to a collective effort towards the targets, including restoration and species conservation objectives. Scaling implementation requires sustained financing, strengthened enforcement capacity and improved cross-sector coordination. Climate vulnerability and hurricane exposure increase implementation complexity and require integration with national climate adaptation planning. |
Explanation of alignment with global targets
Alignment with Global Goal A
Degree of alignment: High (implementation-focused), Medium (measurable national aggregation)
National Target 8 directly contributes to Goal A by focusing on the rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and the protection of threatened species. The action identifies ecosystems and species at risk, develops restoration methodologies, and supports habitat enhancement to stabilize or increase populations.
The 2018/2021 Revision confirms that implementation has advanced through declaration of protected areas, closed seasons for marine species and birds, and rehabilitation of wetlands and coral reefs. These measures demonstrate active conservation and restoration efforts. However, while implementation activities are ongoing, nationally consolidated restoration baselines and standardized ecological performance indicators remain under development, limiting systematic national-level outcome measurement.
Alignment with GBF Target 2 (Ecosystem restoration)
Degree of alignment: Medium (current), High (under formulation)
Action Eight aligns with Target 2 by identifying ecosystems that are threatened or degraded and preparing methodologies and action plans for their rehabilitation and restoration. Restoration activities referenced in the 2018/2021 Revision include wetland and coral reef rehabilitation initiatives, demonstrating partial operationalization.
The draft NBSAP 2026–2030 introduces a strengthened national target corresponding directly to GBF Target 2, converting restoration intent into quantified, time-bound commitments. It specifies restoration of defined areas by 2030, increasing by 2040, and introduces ecosystem-specific ecological performance standards. This marks a transition from project-based restoration toward measurable, nationally aggregated restoration targets aligned with GBF Target 2.
While consolidated national restoration accounting and standardized performance monitoring are still under development, the revised framework significantly strengthens structural alignment by establishing clear coverage targets and ecological outcome criteria.
Alignment with GBF Target 4 (Species conservation and extinction prevention)
Degree of alignment: Medium (current), High (under formulation)
Action Eight aligns with Target 4 by protecting designated threatened species and enhancing habitats to increase population viability. Closed seasons for marine species and birds and habitat rehabilitation contribute to in situ species protection.
The draft NBSAP 2026–2030 strengthens alignment by explicitly linking ecosystem restoration and habitat quality improvements to extinction-prevention outcomes under the corresponding national species conservation target. By addressing fragmentation, improving ecosystem functionality, and enhancing habitat conditions for selected threatened species, the revised framework establishes clearer pathways for measuring reductions in extinction risk through population trends, recovery plans, and habitat condition indicators.
Although species recovery metrics remain under consolidation, the integration of restoration and extinction-prevention objectives represents a strengthened and more outcome-oriented alignment with GBF Target 4.
Alignment with GBF Target 7 (Pollution reduction)
Degree of alignment: Medium (pressure reduction through ecosystem recovery)
Action Eight addresses ecosystem degradation caused by pollution and eutrophication resulting from farming and other human activities. By restoring wetlands, coastal ecosystems, and other natural systems, the action contributes to reducing nutrient loading, sedimentation, and associated biodiversity pressures.
The draft NBSAP 2026–2030 introduces a national target corresponding to GBF Target 7, committing to measurable reductions in nutrient, chemical, and plastic pollution in priority coastal and marine areas. While pollution control measures are addressed through sector-specific regulations and infrastructure improvements, ecosystem restoration under Action Eight complements these efforts by strengthening natural filtration, buffering capacity, and recovery processes.
At present, ecosystem-level pollution impact indicators and integration of restoration metrics with pollution monitoring remain limited at the national scale. Alignment is therefore indirect but structurally reinforced through the revised NBSAP’s quantified pollution-reduction commitments.
The Bahamas National Trust (BNT), Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation (BMMRO), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and Wild Bahamas contribute restoration activities, monitoring support, and technical expertise relevant to ecosystem rehabilitation and species protection.
- Financial:
Restoration initiatives remain partially dependent on external or project-based funding; limited dedicated financing for long-term ecosystem recovery. - Institutional:
Fragmented coordination between restoration programs and regulatory enforcement bodies; limited centralized oversight of restoration metrics. - Legal:
Legal instruments provide authority for species and habitat protection; enforcement capacity varies across sectors and locations. - Technical:
Absence of nationally standardized restoration performance indicators; limited integration between restoration monitoring and pollution data systems. - Governance:
Restoration efforts are ongoing but not yet consolidated within a unified national restoration tracking framework; coordination and accountability mechanisms require strengthening.