St. George's Wednesday 22nd February 2012: The protection of marine resources continues to be a matter of priority in Grenada and other OECS islands. Since the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia, training for wardens has been an ongoing effort. MPA Wardens in the Fisheries Divisions of the three participating countries are attending their second workshop as part of a sub-regional project on "Adaptive Capacity for MPA Governance in the Eastern Caribbean," The workshop was held at the Fisheries Conference Room, Melville Street Fish Market Wednesday, February 22nd to 24th. Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Hon. Michael Denis Lett, says, "Government is fully aware of the importance that sustainable management of the marine environment holds for the future of coastal communities of our islands including significant economic and social benefits which can be accrued to our people." The Minister says, the workshop's theme Strategic Planning, Governance reform and Adaptive Management Capacity for Resilience fits within Government's goal to meet its obligations in various regional and international fora to address critical environmental and other issues, which can provide significant, social and economic benefits for current and future generations", In his mind, it speaks to the implementation of appropriate policy instruments, legal framework, institutional arrangements and development of people skills to adequately address and adapt to the many issues in an ever changing environment. "In this regard, he says, Government will provide support to ensure that the appropriate governance system is adopted to engender effective guidance to the strategic management of MPAs in Grenada, as well as supporting other regional initiatives". The minister thinks that if people are engaged in the process, it will lead to greater compliance with rules and increase their capacity for problem solving and decision-making. He also believes that this would lead to increased local empowerment and community cohesion and ultimately a more sustainable future. He says the 2001 signing of the St George's Declaration of Principles for Environmental Sustainability in the OECS means government is aware that there is a better quality of life for the people of this sub-region which is dependent on the conservation and sustainability of the utilization of our islands' wealth of natural resources.