Agriculture has long been a mainstay of many Caribbean economies. The region produces approximately 60 percent of the world’s coffee, 40 percent of its bananas, 25 percent of its beans, 20 percent of its cocoa, and significant quantities of sugar, corn and other crops. Considerable amounts of pesticides are used for the production of these crops. With no adequate practices in place, this is a serious threat for coral reefs and seagrass beds, putting at risk the important tourist activity of the region, the health of the population and the favorable environments for the reproduction of marine species.

UNEP’s Caribbean Environment Programme is working with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to reduce runoff of agricultural pesticides into the Caribbean Sea, under a project with the countries of Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Colombia. Prevailing currents flow in a circular pattern along the Caribbean coast shared by these countries. Trans-boundary pollution can result, when contaminants released into coastal waters of one nation impact neighboring countries. Therefore, regional co-operation is necessary.