ROWA Marine & Coastal Zone Management Programme Strategy

Transcription

1 ROWA Marine & Coastal Zone Management Programme Strategy With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you're connected to the sea. No matter where on Earth you live. Most of the oxygen in the atmosphere is generated by the sea Sylvia Earle

2 Agenda 1 Setting the basis Aims, Preface, Background 2 Understanding the problem and the need Marine & Coastal Zone in West Asia 3 Current Project and Trends shaping the Programme Tools and Enablers for the next four years

3 Aims The Marine and Coastal Zone Management Programme at IUCN ROWA aims to strategically maintain together with Governments, Members and CSOs a sustainable protection of critical habitats necessary for the operation of dynamic ecological processes through a network of Marine Protected Areas ensuring the conservation of biodiversity in the service of society Forecast

4 Preface There are enormous differences among West Asian countries regarding the effects and impacts on marine resources To reach out for coherent and well-defined Coastal and Marine Programme Strategy reflecting the mission and priorities of IUCN and meeting the expectations of members in the region. A regional Marine Protected Area Symposium helped to ensure collaborative approach. Over the next four years, IUCN ROWA s Marine and Coastal Management Programme will focus on the Marine and Coastal Initiative (MCI) to develop solutions, build partnerships, and stimulate communities across the region to conserve marine ecosystems; the source of wealth.

5 Background West Asia Region covers about 4 million km2 almost 2.5% of world s total land area. On top of the armed clashes and the escalating number of displaced people, the region faces major environmental challenges The increasing fossil fuel energy production and unsustainable use, and destructive use and extraction of marine and coastal resources. The region is highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change affecting both the economy and human-well being. The region s seas include some of the busiest shipping areas of the world, making the marine environment susceptible to pollution events such as oil spills.

6 Background Cont d The West Asian coasts boarders three seas and one ocean (Med Sea, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean) Wide variety of ecosystems such as coastal lagoons, mangroves, coral reefs, marshlands and deep sea canyons. Special marine features, unfortunately, will no longer be healthy and even will cease to exist if remedial steps are not put in place. Growing awareness among governments, international bodies, regional and national NGOs, research institutions and the private sector of the need to reduce current pressures on coastal and marine systems, to achieve sustainability in resource use. Unfortunately short-term economic interests and imperatives often override sustainable development and conservation concerns. Economic demands surpass the coastal and marine resources ability to regenerate or are not in line with conservation considerations.

7 The main environmental problems in West Asia Marine Environments Pollution originating from municipal, industrial, and agricultural sources in densely populated areas with high population growth rates, e.g., in the southeastern Mediterranean Coastal erosion and other effects of engineering projects; The question of fisheries sustainability; Conservation of marine and coastal biotopes and endangered species, as well as biota migration through the Suez Canal; Oil spills; Pollution due to shipping

8 Coastal & Marine Ecosystems in West Asia Produce vital resources for communities that depend on these resources for their food security. Represent a major pillar for economies of West Asian coastal States. Strategic importance on the economic, environmental and social fronts. Strong coastal development plans reflect the implementation of coastal and marine policies in West Asia. Achieving marine biodiversity conservation is progressing through the establishment of Marine Protected Areas and the application of integrated fisheries management.

9 Coastal & Marine Ecosystems in West Asia Mangrove Forests Seagrass meadows The most prominent and extremely diverse, Constitute some of the most vital and productive coastal ecosystems, Provide important functions and services acting as shelters for juvenile fish and shellfish, and as soil stabilizers. Been drastically reduced over the past 50 years The main contributing factors being coastal development and unsustainable illegal cutting. Mainly found in shallow, sheltered areas, including lagoons and estuaries. Very high rates of primary productivity and are often closely associated with mangroves and coral reefs. Seagrass beds are the feeding ground of a number of marine organisms, including the threatened Dugong and the Green Turtle. Habitat and breeding areas for commercially important finfish and prawns, and consequently also constitute areas of intense trawling efforts, unfortunately often with severe damages to the habitat.

10 Mangrove Forests on the Coasts of the West Asia

11 Coastal & Marine Ecosystems in West Asia Coral Reefs Coastal Lagoons and Estuaries Represent marine ecosystems with some of the highest levels of species diversity and productivity on Earth. Coral reefs are sensitive biotopes, vulnerable not only to anthropogenic but also to natural stressors Referred to as underwater rainforests. On a global scale, 27% of the reefs are under high threat and 31% are under medium threat Threats: over-fishing, coastal developments, inland pollution, erosion and marine pollution. As a result of natural (and human) disturbances, Coral bleaching is responsible for the alarming decline in coral cover. Important habitats for brackishwater biodiversity, both in terms of a highly specialized and rich vegetation cover that attracts a high number and variety of birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish. With their rich resource base, offer a significant concentration of socioeconomic functions such as transport waterways, food sources, and nature tourism. Human settlements and urbanization and location of industrial facilities jeopardized the biological systems present in these fragile areas, that are particularly susceptible to landbased pollution and oil spills.

12 Coral reefs ecosystems in the Seas of the West Asia

13 Coastal & Marine Ecosystems in West Asia KEY SPECIES Sharks (Sharks, Rays and Skates) Turtles (Green, Loggerhead and Leatherback) Corals Dugong Grouper Dolphins Special Mediterranean Habitats Vermited Reefs Deep Sea Corals Poseidonia Sponges

14 The Elements of Transformational Change: Policy Regulation Programs Strategies Structure & Processes Skills & Competencies

15 Programme Objectives Promote knowledge exchange and mutual learning between members (governmental and non-governmental) in areas related to the management of Marine and Coastal Zones - exchanges of experience in the creation of new MPAs in the region; Offer a networking platform to tackle ecosystems and critical habitats regionally in the favor of fisheries resources, rehabilitation and restoration of critical habitats and biodiversity conservation; Promote governments and practitioners interest in particular to ecosystem valuation services, revealing the scale of benefits of MPA Promote functional and operational MPAs in the region for sound management of natural resources in the coastal zone and marine to achieve global conservation targets and foster socio-economic development; Strengthening capabilities in finance, fund raising, advocacy, and representation of MPAs in the region through tailor made capacity building programmes supported by regional and international expertise

16 On Going Projects Sustainable Fisheries Management for Improved Livelihoods of the Coastal Fishing Community in Tyre, South Lebanon Funded by DROSOS Foundation - Established foundation for sustainable fishing - Controlled and Reduced illegal and unregulated fishing in Tyre up to 60% (exceeding project objectives by 37% for the first year) - Drafted MPA zoning for Tyre Marine to be adopted by the MoE in consultation with TCNR and relevant stakeholder - Promoting various socio-economic incentives, such as Micro-Credit loans, vocational training, empowering women to improve fishermen s household income - Training fishermen on new and innovative fishing methods - Fishing and Marketing of abundant fish with no market value - Reviewing policies and promoting sound cooperation between various stakeholders and decision makers Nurturing NGO capacity toward conservation of biodiversity in Eastern Mediterranean Funded By MAVA foundation The project has nurtured close cooperation between partners and stakeholders while improving dialogue and exchange on the national and regional level. More ore than 30 NGOs in the Eastern Mediterranean have been empowered with technical and soft skills, advocacy and networking, financial and fundraising expertise. The project has provided support to the development of policy assessment reports through national policy roundtables in Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan. The project has increased local and regional cooperation among partners boosted the activation of national conservation committees and the identification of national needs in Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan.

17 On Going Projects Market Policy and Legislative Development for Mainstreaming the Sustainable Management of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems in Lebanon. Identified the legal, administrative and decision support tools needed for the integration of marine and coastal zone management into the plans of 2 identified pilot sites of the potential MPAs Developed sustainable marine and coastal zone management plans for the two sites Developed draft legislative proposals for the declaration of 2 MPAs Coordinated consultations with relevant governmental bodies and stakeholders to review the suggested management plans Developed final management plans for the 2 sites Mainstreaming Marine Biodiversity Conservation into Coastal Zone Management Aqaba, Jordan Development of Marine Monitoring Guidance Note for Coral Reef Monitoring Coral Monitoring Methodologies Coral Mapping Training Management Plan Economic Valuation of Marine Ecosystem Business Model for Coral Reef Economic Services

18 Our Commitment for the next four years at a glance Establish innovative approaches and implement practical solutions for financing Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) tools for sustainable fisheries, effective MPAs and key species and habitat conservation. Promote knowledge sharing of successful marine and coastal solutions across the region, and use them as pillars for policies reform, management processes and marketing. Create stakeholder platform on national and regional level to influence marine policies and sustainable decision-making. Attract and engage scientific, academic, and research institute in the region to become partners and members enabling science for improved ecosystem-based resource management.

19 Understanding the Problem and the Need Effect Cause 3 Cause 1 Cause 2 We must understand the Root Cause

20 Understanding the Problem and the Need Root Causes MPA Ineffectiveness Governance: Lack of consistent governance model and control / enforcement, lack of coordination and measurement of performance. Process: Fragmentation based on structure, Inefficient formalizations. Long procedures for reform. Responsibility and Skills: No responsibility, no accountability but also no impact. Lack of willingness, resistance to change. Feeling of deserving. Blaming legislation. Infrastructure and Information: No common platforms, no information based integration, limited online services penetration. Acceptance and Facilitation: Facilitated and sustained by the lack of measurement and impact and background support by the system.

21 Integrated Approach Targeted conservation efforts and integrated natural resource management strategies are necessary to sustain the resources of marine and coastal areas. Promote dialogue between governments sectors, local communities and CSO, the scientific world, the private sector and the general public. The Regional Marine Programme supports the ecosystem planning and management approach to achieve following core themes: Sound and Effective Governance of Marine Resources Marine Protected Areas - MPA Species Protection - Sustainable Use Critical Ecosystems

22 Programme Framework Valuing and conserving nature Effective and Equitable Governance of Nature s Use Nature Based Solutions

23 Valuing and conserving nature ROWA Target 2020: Promote platforms to engage people, CSOs, marine resource actors, private, and scientists to influence marine policies and management decisions towards the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity and the sustainable management of economic activities. Indicator: Number of members in each platform New innovative partnerships with private sector Increase in number of scientists involved in decision making on resource management New constituencies created in support of effective marine resource management. New MPAs are established in the Region. Fish stocks replenishing.

24 Valuing and conserving nature ROWA Target 2020 / 2024: Shift the emphasis from piecemeal conservation action towards a more integrated seascape-scale approach, and how we can better value the natural environment in decision-making. Indicators: incorporate natural capital into national statistics alongside measures such as GDP. Government departments take account of the value of nature as part of policy appraisal Establish West Asia Fisheries Forum to enable dialogue and joint cooperation between CSOs and the fishing community

25 Valuing and conserving nature ROWA Targets 2020/2024: Maintain and restore ecosystems and their services Agreeing a programme of targeted action with partners for the recovery of priority species Indicators: Restore habitats and improve ecosystem services throughout a local approach to managing the natural environment in an integrated way. Creating integrated habitat networks, and mapping of ecosystem health Establish Network of MPAs, as they are vitally important to help secure climate change, biodiversity, food and services benefits. Number of innovative partnerships with stakeholders established

26 Effective and Equitable Governance of Nature s Use ROWA Target 2020/2024: Help avert global biodiversity loss Indicators: Protect and enhance biodiversity through new environmental management schemes Substantial progress is being made on mainstreaming biodiversity objectives in sustainable fisheries.

27 Effective and Equitable Governance of Nature s Use ROWA Target 2020/2024: Prepare proposals to establish a legal framework for the sustainable management of natural resources at high seas, beyond national jurisdiction. Indicators: Ongoing development of marine management plans which aim to increase the proportion of marine areas in good ecological status. The development of a strategy, to identify and address the most significant diffuse sources of marine pollution. The establishment of a rolling programme to restore or create new wildlife habitat;

28 Effective and Equitable Governance of Nature s Use ROWA Target 2020/2024: Driver for mainstreaming in each county in West Asia, legislation for all public bodies to have regard to biodiversity conservation. Indicators: Framework tools to support process: Account for socioeconomic factors Account for land-sea interaction Include confidence/uncertainty estimates Deal with political and regulatory hurdles Help develop realistic budgets Help develop and implement monitoring plans

29 Nature Based Solutions ROWA Target 2020/2024: Develop Marines Plans which integrate economic, social and environmental considerations Indicators: Establishing well managed, ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). By 2022 have marine plans in place covering the whole of West Asia s marine area, ensuring the sustainable development of our seas, integrating economic growth, social need and ecosystem management.

30 Nature Based Solutions ROWA Targets 2020/2024: Need to conserve and where appropriate or feasible restore our marine habitats, take steps to alleviate pressures on threatened species and ensure that the way we manage our marine environment is based on an ecosystem approach Ensure the sustainable use of fisheries resources and ensuring good environmental status of the marine environment Fisheries management supports wider environmental objectives, including the achievement of Good Environmental Status under the Marine Strategy. Indicators: By 2020 countries will be managing and harvesting fish sustainably; Measure of fish sizes in the local fisheries. This responds to fishing impacts, because when fish communities are more heavily fished, the proportion of large fish is expected to fall

31 Global megatrends impacting conservation future Global megatrend #1: Demographics Will resources be sufficient for future generation to live on? Global megatrend #2: The rise of the individual What are we doing to improve services for individuals? how will we keep them better informed? Global megatrend #3: Enabling technology How do we leverage technology and information? Global megatrend #4: Economic Interconnectedness Will this create a greener economy competition?

32 Global megatrends impacting conservation future Global megatrend #5: Public debt How are we balancing the need to reduce debt against the need to stimulate research and conservation? Global megatrend #6: Economic power shift How is conservation adjusting to a new economic world order? Global megatrend #7: Climate change Are we doing enough to adapt economy to climate change and reduce emissions? Global megatrend #8: Resource stress Are we influencing policy to guarantee that our children have sufficient food, water and energy?

33 What will facilitate change? Policy: Enforcing authority / entity Evidence-based policy A fresh permanent entity with authority to enforce Advisory bodies Increased focus on proactive long term policy changes Policy design to be considered together with operational delivery Reform and growth initiatives to be coordinated and monitored centrally by enforcing entity Policies anchored on highquality data supported by data analytics skills

34 What will facilitate change? Programmes Program based approach Holistic long-term view Develop organizational framework Distinguish between project and programme management Integrated approach not in silos End to end solutions and processes Establish a programme management approach Establish a project management culture Repeat and enhance initiatives and programmes Monitor and measure outcomes

35 The IUCN knowledge products and their integration

36 SDGs and the IUCN Programme SDGs 14, 15 On terrestrial and marine Biodiversity SDG 6, 10, 16 and many others on governance equity and gender SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, on Poverty, health, food-waterenergy security and health, poverty, climate change, education

37 Conclusion An integrated approach is needed to conserve biodiversity at sea. Some progress have been made towards clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse seas, Climate change will add to the pressures from human activities; A need to ensure resilience of biological communities through effective conservation measures. A need to conserve and where appropriate or feasible restore our marine habitats, Alleviate pressures on threatened species and ensure that the management of marine environment is based on an ecosystem approach. Promote resilience in marine environment, which contributes to the sustainable use of its resources.

38 Recommendations Strengthen the interdisciplinary dialogue, Linking science and policy Advocating ocean conservation beyond the sphere of marine specialists. Improve knowledge of ecosystems in the high seas. Developing standardized methods for surveying marine biodiversity globally. Facilitating and encouraging participative approaches to enrich our knowledge, Putting together an improved toolbox. Filling in knowledge gaps and scaling Accurately assessing the management of existing areas.

39 the end I dream of the day when I can fish, feed my family and settle my debts