The AMEP Sub-programme is the arm of the CEP with direct responsibilities for the implementation of the LBS Protocol. Article VI of the LBS Protocol addresses the issue of monitoring and assessment programmes. It states that '...Such programmes may, inter alia:
(a) systematically identify and assess patterns and trends in the environmental quality of the Convention area; and
(b) assess the effectiveness of measures taken to implement the Protocol.'

To this end, Decision 1 of the Eleventh Intergovernmental Meeting of the Action Plan for the Caribbean Environmental Program (CEP), Jamaica 2004, identified the necessity to update the CEP Technical Report No. 33 describing the regional overview of land-based sources (LBS) of pollution in the Wider Caribbean Region. Following this decision, UNEP CAR/RCU, in collaboration with the Regional Activity Centre for the LBS Protocol, organized two regional workshops (one in Caracas, Venezuela and the other in Havana, Cuba) to discuss and approve methodologies to determine pollutant loads from land-based point sources and non-point sources.

A survey is now underway to obtain information from member countries concerning land-based pollutant loads draining into the Caribbean Sea. The questionnaire is available from 'Attachments' below.

In an attempt to facilitate the compilation of information needed for the LBS survey, various methodologies were drafted to allow for the assessment of point and non-point sources of pollution as well as for estimating solid waste levels in the Wider Caribbean Region. These methodologies are available from 'Attachments' below.

April 4-8, 2006 saw the convening of a Regional Workshop on Coastal and Marine Water Quality Indicators and Methodologies to Determine Pollutant Loads in the Wider Caribbean in Havana Cuba. The results of this workshop is also available below.