The SPAW Programme supports activities for the protection and management of sensitive and highly valuable natural marine resources. This Sub-Programme is responsible for the regionalization of global conventions and initiatives such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) as well as for the implementation of the Caribbean component of the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN). A Memorandum of Cooperation exists between the CBD and UNEP-CAR/RCU to assist with the implementation of the CBD at the regional level.

The Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW Protocol) has been internationally recognized as the most comprehensive treaty of its kind. Adopted in Kingston, Jamaica by the member governments of the Caribbean Environment Programme on 18 January 1990, the SPAW Protocol preceded other international environmental agreements in utilizing an ecosystem approach to conservation and was entered into force on 18 June 2000. The Protocol acts as a vehicle to assist with regional implementation of the broader and more demanding global Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).    The Protocol also assists with the promotion and linkages of the Ramsar and CITES Conventions. A Memorandum of Cooperation exists between the Ramsar Secretariat and UNEP-CAR/RCU.

The objective of the Protocol is to protect rare and fragile ecosystems and habitats, thereby protecting the endangered and threatened species residing therein. The Caribbean Regional Co-ordinating Unit pursues this  objective by assisting with the establishment and proper management of protected areas, by promoting sustainable management (and use) of species to prevent their endangerment and by providing assistance to the governments of the region in conserving their coastal ecosystems.

SPAW  Programme activities  are implemented with the assistance and support of the Regional Activity Centre (RAC) for SPAW  in Guadaloupe under the auspices of the Government of France. The Centre was established to assist the CEP with the implementation of the SPAW Protocol. June 7, 2000 witnessed the signing of an agreement between UNEP-CAR/RCU and France with France agreeing to provide funding and operational support for the SPAW-RAC. The mission of the SPAW-RAC is to contribute to the improved management of specially protected areas and wildlife inthe Wider Caribbean Region. The RAC works under the mandate of the Contracting Parties to the SPAW Protocol and under the overall coordination of UNEP-CAR/RCU. 

There are a number of advantages of becoming a Party to the SPAW Protocol:

1. It is the only regional environmental legal agreement addressing biodiversity conservation issues of the Wider Caribbean.
2. Its provisions provide specific and concrete guidance for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in particular regarding protected area establishment and management, as well as species and coastal ecosystems management and conservation. (The CBD is very demanding on those issues but does not provide guidance which SPAW does).
3. SPAW was developed by the governments of the region and for the region. In this way is more appropriate and specific to the Wider Caribbean than other global treaties.
4. It is supported by an operational programme, which is currently supporting for example: marine protected areas in the region, countries with coral reef conservation and management, countries in implementing sustainable tourism practices, etc.
5. It has no direct financial implications for the countries as the Trust Fund is independent from the Convention.
6. Being a Party to SPAW sends a clear message to the region and donors about the commitment of a country towards biodiversity conservation.
7. SPAW provides for the establishment of a Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) to address issues and identify priorities. The committee has met two times since the entry into force of the Protocol in 2000. The STAC could be used by the countries to address regional biodiversity issues, such as those relevant to the CBD issues and form concensus. The participation of the region in CBD meetings has been poor and the STAC could be used as a mechanism to carry a unified voice from the region to CBD.
8. A Party to SPAW will benefit from the activities of the SPAW Programme and from regional cooperation opportunities in the management of coastal and marine resources.
9. A Party to SPAW will also benefit from the Memoranda of Cooperation which exists between the CBD and Ramsar Secretariats and the SPAW Secretariat.
10. A Party to SPAW will benefit from technical assistance from the SPAW Regional Activitiy Centre which was established in January 2000  in the National park of Guadeloupe.

The objectives of the SPAW Programme are:

• To significantly increase the number of and improve the management of national protected areas and species in the region, including the development of biosphere reserves, where appropriate.
• To develop a strong regional capability for the co-ordination of information exchange, training and technical assistance in support of national biodiversity conservation efforts.
• To coordinate activities with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as other biodiversity-related treaties, such as the CITES, Ramsar, Bonn and Western Hemisphere Conventions.
• To assist the Governments of the region, upon their request, in the development of guidelines regarding the establishment and management of protected areas