Caribbean Biosystematics Network (CARINET)

Goal
The goal of CARINET is to contribute to the sustainable development of the region's agriculture and genetic resources, habitat conservation and the information needs for bioprospecting through the provision of efficient biosystematic services. It is the use of existing taxonomic resources of the sub-region whilst attracting Technical Co-operation partnerships to augment these resources to the level of realistic self-reliance.

Purpose
The purpose is to provide a regionally based biosystematic service to the Caribbean.

Approach/Strategy
CARINET's approach is based on the following two initiatives:

Mobilisation, pooling and sharing of existing sub-regional resources of experience, expertise, information, technologies and technical know-how, professional and technical skills, materials (collections and records) and infra-structures under the principle of reciprocity wherever appropriate.

Implementation of donor-funded work programmes to enhance existing resources to the requisite level through capacity building and human resource development initiatives.

Outputs
- Trained Caribbean scientists and technicians in biosystematics.
- Rehabilitated and new reference collections established in the region.
- Biosystematics information disseminated and exchanged through the network's database, web site and collection catalogues for each of the 5 Centres of Excellence.

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