Pew Fellows Launch Punta Cana Initiative Pew Institute for Ocean Science
May 18, 2004

Building on the success of a collaborative effort for sustainable fishing in Bonaire, the Community-Based Management network of the Pew Fellows Program has turned its eyes to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. During the week of May 3, a team of three met with local fishermen, divers, and the Ecological Foundation of the Punta Cana Resort and Club in preparation for the “Punta Cana Initiative,” which will include a half-day workshop at the resort on November 5. The days following this workshop will be devoted to the Annual Meeting for all Pew Fellows. Leading up to and following the workshop, the Community-Based Management network will seek to engage leading stakeholders in efforts to conserve the natural resources in this area, in particular its severely degraded coral reefs. Pew Fellow Peter Espeut (’96), who joined staff Jim Harper and Debie Maher on this excursion, noted that these reefs appear equal to or more damaged than the reefs of Jamaica, which are widely considered to be the worst case in the Caribbean. Future developments of this Initiative will be highlighted here in SeaSpan, and all Pew Fellows will be invited to contribute to this effort. According to Pew Institute for Ocean Science executive director Ellen Pikitch (PF ’00), this process is the Pew Fellows Program’s opportunity to “leave a legacy” wherever it holds meetings.