Enforcement Challenges

Data and intelligence limitations hinder the ability of wildlife enforcement agencies to understand, predict, and disrupt wildlife crime effectively. In the Caribbean, data on wildlife trafficking routes, species at risk, and offender networks are often fragmented, outdated, or not systematically collected. Many jurisdictions lack centralised databases, formal intelligence-sharing protocols, or the analytical capacity to identify patterns and emerging threats across the region.

These limitations weaken the strategic and operational responses to wildlife crime. Without timely, reliable information, enforcement agencies may miss opportunities to intercept illegal shipments, link cases across borders, or target the most significant offenders. Poor data quality also makes it difficult to assess the true scale of wildlife crime, measure the effectiveness of enforcement actions, or advocate for policy changes and funding. This information gap undermines decision-making, reduces accountability, and allows criminal networks to operate with greater impunity.

Addressing data and intelligence limitations requires investment in standardised data collection systems, improved inter-agency communication, and the development of regional intelligence-sharing mechanisms. Training in data analysis, species identification, and digital investigation can also enhance the value of collected information. By strengthening intelligence capacity, the Caribbean can better anticipate wildlife crime trends, allocate enforcement resources strategically, and coordinate more effective responses across jurisdictions.