COASTAL AQUATIC SPECIES CONSERVATION TO BUILD LIVELIHOOD RESILIENCE IN SOC TRANG PROVINCE Soc Trang Department of Capture Fisheries and Resources Protection INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE
CONTENT 1. Location and key features 2. Project objectives and approaches 3. Climate change adaptation measures 4. Results and Impacts 5. Lessons learnt and recommendations 2
Location and key features Soc Trang is a coastal province with a 72 km long coastline, mudflat area is around 52.000ha and mangrove area is 6000ha. Trung Binh and An Thanh Nam are two communes located in the estuary of Hau River, lower Mekong Delta. Highly exposed to sea level rise, high tides, storms, increased temperatures, saltwater intrusion and flooding 3
Location and key features The increasing population pressure on marine resources. The rapid degradation of valuable coastal aquatic species Soc Trang province urgently needed practical and feasible aquatic species conservation models. Local government and local community support for aquatic species restoration action. 4
Project objectives and approaches Project Objectives Improving communities awareness and responsibilities for protecting and preserving aquatic resources and ecosystems in the coastal zones of Soc Trang province. Piloting gravid aquatic species conservation banks and zoning for white clam conservation. Promoting local participatory approaches in protecting aquatic resources through selfmanagement scheme 5
Project objectives and approaches Project approaches Participatory situation analysis Participatory VCA Promoting local initiative through community consultation meetings Research-based aquatic species selection for conservation Engaging stakeholders including local government, local communities as well as CTU in the project implementation. 6 Monitoring and Evaluation
Location and key features White clam breeding conservation model: At a selected mudflat area of An Thanh III commune, Cu Lao Dung district, Soc Trang province 7
Location and key features Giant river prawn and swimming crab conservation model: Vo Thanh Van and Vam Ho hamlet, An Thanh Nam commune Cu Lao Dung district. Mo O hamlet, Trung Binh commune, Tran De district. 8
COASTAL AQUATIC SPECIES CONSERVATION MODEL Where gravid aquatic species and breeding clams are protected and exploited sustainably, and allows eggs as well as clam seeds to propogate in the natural environment of coastal estuaries. 9
Climate change adaptation measures Preimplementation stage Community consultation meeting 10
Climate change adaptation measures Field site survey to choose appropriate sites 11
Climate change adaptation measures Design and implement the model. 12
Climate change adaptation measures Prepare, design and disseminate project promoting materials for communities. 13
Climate change adaptation measures Conduct a series of training to raise awareness for communities Disseminate model operational regulations 14
Climate change adaptation measures Establish community based selfmanagement groups in 2 communes. Organize inception meetings to introduce the models to wider area 15
Climate change adaptation measures Provide funding support for community target groups to maintain and develop the models after the project ends 16
Climate change adaptation measures Operating and Monitoring activity 17
Results and Impacts Local authority and community have actively supported and participated in project s activities Local awareness of community in and around the area has been improved. The model helps to strengthen the cooperation within communities Protected aquatic resources are increasing. 18
Results and Impacts White clam breeding conservation model 30 ha of conservation zone has established and monitored frequently One community based selfmanagement group is established and in charge of monthly patrolling 19
Results and Impacts Gravid coastal aquatic species 4 sites of spawning aquatic species protection are established. 4 community based self-management groups are formed to manage the model at 4 hamlets. 20
Results and Impacts (cont.) 1000 gravid-carrying prawns have been released to the banks by community. 24 local fishers have borrowed loans from a rotating fund to repair fishing gears. 21
Results and Impacts The models have helped to improve awareness of local people and authorities on marine resources protection Local fishers have observed that protected species have been restored and are increasing. The models are still ongoing, but haven t expanded to other places yet. 22
Lessons learnt and Recommendations The involvement of stakeholders (from provincial to hamlet levels) in implementing and maintaining the models. The selected coastal aquatic species have to be suitable with local natural conditions. To maintain the model, it is very important to take into account the management function of local authority in operating the model. A rotating loan fund need to be available to support community group members at early stage of model implementation. 23
Lessons learnt and Recommendations Need to survey and assess biodiversity in the coastal areas of Soc Trang province to find solutions for increasing population of high value aquatic species such as giant river prawn, or white clam, NGOs and authorized agencies should support for up-scaling and developing the models to restore aquatic resources. Support for alternative livelihoods for fishers who are heavily reliant on fishing by fixed bag nets at Soc Trang coastal estuaries. 24
Soc Trang Department of Capture Fisheries and Resources Protection THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE