To succeed, protected areas in the region have to fulfil multiple functions and to support a range of sustainable uses. In the Caribbean, protected areas must fulfill a range of functions, not just conservation of Biodiversity. It is thus necessary to include a full range of protected area categories, including, in certain circumstances, those that allow for sustainable resource use. Most of the Caribbean islands nations are small and land is a precious resource. It is appropriate in some areas to permit harvesting of natural resources, as long as it is on a controlled and sustainable basis.
Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the Caribbean and is vital for the future of the region.
It depends heavily on natural assets, such as clean beaches, unpolluted water, undamaged coral reefs and well-preserved mountain forests. For this reason, tourism and protected areas are vital partners. However, tourism can be a significant threat to biological diversity, particularly if poorly planned and if inappropriate infrastructure destroy the natural values of protected areas. Careful planning and management is essential. Caribbean nations are using new ways to manage protected areas.