Good Practices in Governance, Food Security, and Habitat Management

100 Pages·2011·8.59 MB·English

tropical
coasts
Vol. 17 No. 1 ISSN 0117-9756 July 2011
Good Practices in Governance,
Food Security, and
Habitat Management
‡ Treasuring Our Heritage, Banking in Our Future
‡ Food Security and Livelihood Management
‡ Pursuing Sustainable Development through National Coastal and Ocean
Governance
‡ Addressing Transboundary Issues through Regional/Subregional Seas
Cooperation: Initiatives in East Asia
‡ Innovative Techniques Towards Reaching Sustainable Development Goals
Editorial
Making Blue Diamonds last forever
Beyond the various diatribes on the proper approach to coastal demand for fsh products, and this increased demand, along with
and ocean management, integrated coastal management (ICM) climate change and other threats to food safety, are increasingly
has proven to be a dynamic approach that straddles the full becoming major food security issues. The article explores possible
spectrum of coastal and ocean management: from governance, avenues for addressing food security and sustainable aquaculture,
to the comprehensive consideration of various sustainable and identifes challenges to sustainability and environmental
development aspects, to the implementation of tools and awareness. The article identifes the role of marine environments
techniques, which then provide lessons that feed into more in providing livelihood, both through fsheries and coastal tourism,
responsive instruments of governance. Within the context of the and how local government-, community-, and private-sector- led
most pressing issues facing marine environments, ICM provides eforts are the forefront in promoting sustainable coastal tourism
an integrated and comprehensive approach that provides a and conservation.
holistic view that can produce verifable results.
Reporting on the progress made in integrated coastal and ocean
This issue of Tropical Coasts expounds on the challenges and good management at the national level, the article on Pursuing
practices in Ocean and Coastal Governance; Habitat Protection, Sustainable Development through National Coastal and Ocean
Restoration and Management; and Food Security and Livelihood Governance enumerates the legal instruments and programs
Management. It features discussions held during the International adopted by various countries towards this end, and narrates
Conference on Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Development each country’s experiences in coastal and ocean governance.
during the East Asian Seas Congress in Manila, Philippines, on Beyond the boundaries of the countries, the article Addressing
23-27 November 2009. The third triennial EAS Congress, hosted Transboundary Issues through Regional/Subregional Seas
by the Government of the Philippines and co-organized by the Cooperation: Initiatives in East Asia describes the various
Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources, initiatives of diferent organizations to reduce threats to coastal
attracted 1,480 participants, 100 exhibitors, 51 co-conveners and and marine ecosystem services in regional and subregional sea
supporting organizations, and numerous sponsors. areas.
The keynote speech of Singapore Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Coming full circle, various approaches to coastal governance
Koh at the opening session stressed the role of efective coastal are explored in Innovative Techniques Towards Reaching
and ocean governance in mitigating the efects of climate change. Sustainable Development Goals . Implemented in various forms
He cited as an example the provenance and current state of and scales, these initiatives have made progress on multiple
UNCLOS, recognized by some to contain the most comprehensive fronts: programs have been established, stakeholders engaged,
and progressive international environmental law of any modern thousands of people trained, collaborations advanced, policies
international agreement. Ambassador Koh also shared Singapore’s adopted, lessons learned and integrated, and experiences
experiences in marine resource management and the country’s shared. The challenges now at the forefront of coastal and ocean
plan to implement ICM to achieve full top-to-bottom integration management demand new information and capabilities, and the
in their coastal policies, plans and programs. techniques enumerated in this article hopefully can spark new and
innovative solutions.
The Treasuring Our Heritage, Banking in Our Future article
explores the concept of biodiversity, its role in promoting The EAS Congress 2009 provided a rich venue for sharing
environments to fourish, economies to develop, and humanity knowledge about the multitude of challenges faced by various
to prosper, and how it faces degradation from human activities. stakeholders in ensuring that the attainment of economic
Focus is directed on how marine habitats and ecosystems are prosperity is not made at the expense of the environment. The
facing the increasing threat of destruction. The unique ecological progress reported and lessons shared during the week-long event
challenges faced by several key biodiversity hotspots — our was testimony to the efcacy of an integrated approach to coastal
blue diamonds — are expounded in an article on innovative and and ocean management. While signifcant progress has been
indigenous approaches taken by local communities to address made on various fronts, much still needs to be done if the region is
biodiversity issues. to attain its goal of implementing ICM programmes in at least 20
percent of the region’s coasts and adopting national coastal and
Food Security and Livelihood Management, on the other hand, ocean policies in 70 percent of the countries by 2015. It is hoped
underscores the importance of marine environments in providing that the lessons that you will fnd within these pages will inspire
a healthy food supply, livelihood and economic prosperity. Rapid you to think diferently when addressing issues hindering the
urbanization and an ever ballooning population has increased the attainment of sustainable development.
Contents
Innovative Techniques
82 Towards Reaching
Sustainable Development
Pursuing Sustainable Development
Goals
63 through National Coastal and
Ocean Governance
Treasuring Our Heritage,
04 Banking in Our Future
30
50
Food Security
and Livelihood Third Ministerial Forum of the
Management East Asian Sea Congress
2009
The East Asian Seas Agreement Addressing
48 Partnership Council 57 Recognizing the 74 Transboundary Issues
Special Meeting International Through Regional/
Legal Personality Subregional Seas
of PEMSEA Cooperation:
Initiatives in East Asia
Manila Declaration on Plenary Keynote A Night of
54 Strengthening ICM 60 on Coastal 98 Partnerships,
Implementation for and Ocean Awards and
Sustainable Development Governance Recognition
and Climate Change
Adaptation
Raphael P.M. Lotilla Contributors Valentina Germani Osamu Matsuda Ivan Zavadsky
Executive Editor Maida Aguinaldo Edgardo D. Gomez Anne McDonald
ESd. iAtodrrian Ross ANStnaegnlelcaly CRB.ee Agrilmnca lsBa ernad CHRaiuefalaistehole DHn.ag Gb Hiutoeonrrgero III MBTreieclvyhonar eR Pla lDfaa.t etPlido RCoeveorl ip hSo. tCo obryt:ez
Danilo Bonga Jose Ingles S. Adrian Ross The previous EAS
Anna Rita Cano Galo Carrera Gil S. Jacinto Mohamed Shariff Cisosuneg rceosvse 2r0ed09 t hSep ecial
Assistant Editor Renato Cardinal Rogelio Juliano Anna Tengberg Thematic Workshops on
Chua Thia-Eng Mike Kendall Hiroshi Terashima Natural and Man-made
Jonel Dulay Stephen de Mora Maria Teresita Lacerna Andre Uychiaoco Hanadza Mrda nPraegveemnteinotn,
Ray Nonnato Leyesa Maria Corazon Ebarvia Theresa Mundita S. Lim Wong Poh Poh Water use and Supply
Design/Illustration/DTP Miguel D. Fuentes Raphael P.M. Lotilla Xiongzhi Xue Management and
Rodrigo U. Fuentes Kem Lowry Tetsuo Yanagi PWoallsuteti oMna Rneadguemctieonnt .and
The Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), Global The contents of this publication do not necessarily ref ect the views
Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations or policies of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United
Of ce for Project Services (UNOPS), publish Tropical Coasts Magazine biannually. This issue Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations
of Tropical Coasts is co-f nanced by the United Nations Environment Programme - Global Of ce for Project Services (UNOPS), Partnerships in Environmental
Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), UNEP/GPA, SENSA
(UNEP/GPA) and the Swedish International Environmental Secretariat for Asia (SENSA). and other participating organizations, or the editors, nor are they
This publication is geared towards stimulating an exchange of information and sharing of an of cial record. The designation employed and the presentation
experiences and ideas with respect to environmental protection and the management of do not imply the expression of opinion whatsoever on the part
coastal and marine areas. Readers are strongly encouraged to send their contributions to: of GEF, UNDP, UNOPS, and PEMSEA concerning the legal status
of any country, territory or city or its authority, or concerning the
Executive Editor delimitation of its territory or boundaries.
P.O. Box 2502,
Quezon City 1165, ISSN 0117-9756
Metro Manila, Philippines
w w w. p e m s e a . o r g
tropical coasts
Vol. 17 No. 1 July 2011
4 July 2011
By Dr. Edgardo D. Gomez, Professor Emeritus, University of the Philippines –
Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI)
Mr. Rodrigo U. Fuentes, Executive Director, ASEAN Center for Biodiversity
Mr. Osamu Matsuda, Professor Emeritus, Hiroshima University
Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim, Director, Parks and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB),
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippines
Mr. Tetsuo Yanagi, Professor, Institute of Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University
Ms. Anne McDonald, Director, United Nations University, Institute of Advanced
Studies, Japan
0U$QGUH8\FKLDRFR7HFKQLFDO2I¿FHUIRU3URMHFW'HYHORSPHQW3(06($
Ms. Maida Aguinaldo, Training Assistant, PEMSEA
Ms. Maria Corazon Ebarvia, PEMSEA
HABITAT PROTECTION, RESTORATION AND
MANAGEMENT
Treasuring our Heritage,
BANKING IN OUR
FUTURE
A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed
from his children.
— John James Audubon
Wildlife Artist and Author
Biodiversity or biological diversity – “the variability among living organisms from all sources including,
inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which
they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems” (GEF, 2010).
Simply, it is the “diversity of life on Earth.” However, this diversity is not simple; it has many facets and
complicated interconnections. More than just the number of animal, plant, fungal, protists, bacterial
and viral species and areal coverage of habitats, biodiversity includes the relationships connecting us
all to one another. This richness and variety of life and ecosystems plays an essential role in keeping
our world, our home, functioning.
Crucible of creation
In the past decade or so we have only begun to better appreciate the ‘global commons’ — the entire
biosphere and biodiversity. The preoccupations of our daily lives often make us oblivious to the
dangers threatening fragile ecosystems around the world or we just easily choose to ignore and
disregard our responsibility to take care of the Earth, our home. However, we can only continue
to ignore these threats at our peril. The vast and astounding variety of life on Earth is rapidly
disappearing right before our eyes. Thousands of species face extinction. Thousands have already
been lost. Approximately 13 million hectares of the world’s forests are lost each year, an area the size of
Greece (Rizvi, 2011). Previous mass extinctions have occurred before, but not due to human activities.
Tropical Coasts 5
Photo: Ray Leyesa
Tropical Coasts 7
Box 1. Why Blue Diamond?
to aquaculture in order to meet the t 5IFCMVFEJBNPOESFMBUFTUPUIFNBSJOFBOEDPBTUBMFOWJSPONFOUBTPOFXIJDI
demand for f sh supply in the face of produces wealth in terms of jobs, trade, livelihoods and ecosystem services like
declining capture f sheries production water recycling and shoreline protection;
(FAO SOFIA, 2008). t "EJBNPOEJTUIFTUSPOHFTUGPSNPGDBSCPO,FZDPBTUBMIBCJUBUTTVDIBTNBOHSPWF
forests, salt marshes, coral reefs and seagrass meadows provide an important
Moreover, many species — known and valuable carbon sink capacity. According to UNEPs Blue Carbon Report, the
and unknown — are facing extinction improved management and restoration of the oceans’ blue carbon sinks would
(Figure 2). For marine species, one result in preventing an annual loss of approximately 10 percent of emission
in f ve grouper species, one in three reductions we currently need. A diamond’s strength also represents ‘resilience,’
species of sharks and rays, and one in which is crucial for coastal communities to mitigate against the negative ef ects of
three species of reef-building corals climate change;
face extinction worldwide (Kaufman t "EJBNPOEBMTPTJHOJöFTASBSJUZUIFIBCJUBUTBCPWFBSFCFJOHMPTUGPVSUJNFTGBTUFS
and Tschirky, 2010). This is the dilemma: than our rainforests and the rate of loss is accelerating;
loss of biodiversity and extinction are t "EJBNPOEIBTNBOZTJEFT
JF
JUJTANVMUJGBDFUFE5IJTJTCFDBVTFUIFNBSJOFBOE
wholly irreversible — once a species coastal environment is often the place where many interests meet, some interests
is lost, it can never be brought back. related to land, some related to the sea. These ‘interests’ can be communities,
Unfortunately, biodiversity is being NGOs, industry and services as well as local and national governments;
lost today at a scale that will threaten t "EJBNPOEIBTWFSZTUSPOHBUPNJDCPOET5IJTSFQSFTFOUTTUSPOHCPOETUISPVHI
the life-support systems that sustain cooperation and working together for those dif erent interest groups and
societies and economies, particularly in stakeholders that operate at the land-ocean interface. Developing bonds at the
the developing world (GEF, 2010). local, national, regional or international levels and a strong interlocking network of
interest groups can signif cantly contribute to better management, to the benef t
Biodiversity is indeed vital to human of all stakeholders;
welfare, allowing economies to develop t 'JOBMMZ
BEJBNPOEIBTHSFBUCFBVUZBOEJTWBMVFECZBMM5IFQVSJUZPSDMBSJUZPGUIF
and humanity to prosper. The loss diamond increases its value.
or degradation of biodiversity can Source: UNEP GPA, 2011.
have important economic, social,
and environmental consequences. pharmacological or agricultural
The Coral Triangle
Destroying forests and watersheds applications in the future. The wealth
not only leads to the potential loss of of species contained in tropical rain
Referred to as the “Amazon of the Seas,”
ecosystems, but also creates economic forests may harbor untold numbers of
the Coral Triangle is located along
costs with respect to water supply and chemically or medically useful species.
the equator where the Indian Ocean
use, and f ood protection. Destroying Likewise, many marine species defend
and Western Pacif c Ocean meet. This
mangroves and coral reefs has social themselves chemically, and this also
region consists of portions of the waters
consequences, impacting on people’s represents a rich potential source of
and coastal regions of six countries:
livelihoods and lifestyles — including new important medicines.
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines,
the unmeasured cost of losing cultural
Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea (PNG)
traditions. Moreover, due to increasing Are diamonds forever?
and Solomon Islands (Figure 3). The
frequency and magnitude of natural
Coral Triangle covers an extraordinary
hazards, our world is under ever- The marine and coastal environment
expanse of ocean encompassing an area
increasing pressures. Loss of ecosystems is regarded as a ‘blue diamond’ in
of 5.7 million km2 or 1.6 percent of the
contributes to climate change and, at recognition of its signif cant ‘value’ and
coverage of the world’s oceans (TNC, et
the same time, results in loss of natural is an asset, which if invested in properly,
al., 2008).
protection from the impacts of climate will return or repay dividends over time
change. (UNEP GPA, 2011) (Box 1). Such rare and
The Coral Triangle is recognized as an
exquisite treasures can be lost forever if area of global signif cance, blessed with
It is not enough merely to protect management interventions and actions
over 75 percent of known coral species,
those biological resources that are needed to protect them are not taken
over 30 percent of the world’s coral reefs,
known to be useful to humans now now.
over 3,000 species of f sh and one-
— we may also be losing the option
third of the world’s mangroves — the
value of potentially benef cial genetic The following are the key biodiversity
greatest extent of mangrove forests of
resources and materials that are, as yet, hotspots — our blue diamonds — in the
any region. It also provides habitat to six
undiscovered, but can have medicinal, East Asian Seas region (PEMSEA, 2010):
out of the world’s seven marine turtle
8 July 2011
Figure 3. Coral Triangle.
species. It is the epicenter of marine life has fragmented natural landscapes,
to destructive fshing methods, pollution,
abundance and diversity on the planet, isolating critical ecosystems and turning
siltation and sedimentation and global
and home to over 600 reef-building conservation areas into ever shrinking
warming. Coral Triangle reefs have
coral species. The region’s productivity islands. Burgeoning infrastructure,
experienced severe mass coral bleaching
and unique species assemblages and likewise, facilitates poaching,
and mortality events as temperatures
evolutionary signifcance make it a endangered species trafcking and
have periodically increased.
repository for the diferent species of the illegal wildlife consumption on a grand
Indian Ocean and Pacifc Ocean. scale (USAID, n.d.).
The Greater Mekong Subregion
(GMS)
The region has a population of 360 Yellow Sea
million people with estimates suggesting
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)
that a third of whom are directly The Yellow Sea (shared by the Republic
consists of the riparian states of the
dependent on marine resources. The of Korea, People’s Republic of China
Mekong river basin, namely Cambodia,
biodiversity and natural productivity of and the Democratic People’s Republic
Lao People’s Democratic Republic,
the Coral Triangle are under threat from of Korea) is an extremely important
Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan
poor marine management (unregulated eco-region supporting the needs
Province of China (Figure 4). It is an area
coastal development, overfshing and of many people and many species
of signifcant ecological importance
destructive fshing), lack of political will, (Figure 5). It is home to a number of
harboring globally important and
poverty, a high market demand and threatened species, including the gray
irreplaceable elements of biodiversity.
local disregard for rare and threatened whale, the dugong, several species of
The region has a diverse geographic
species, and climate change. These sea turtle and shore birds (Mongabay.
landscape, such as massifs, plateaus,
threats are putting at risk livelihoods, com, 2006). Yet, its ecological health
fertile foodplains and deltas, forests,
economies and future market supplies is threatened by unsustainable
wetlands and mangroves. Biodiversity
for species, such as tuna (WWF, n.d.). development. Industrial pollution, oil
is disappearing at a rapid pace in the
Studies have highlighted the alarming spills, agricultural runof and sewage
Greater Mekong Subregion. Rapid
decline of coral cover in this region due discharges contaminate coastal and
development in local economic corridors
Tropical Coasts 9
marine waters of the Yellow Sea while and Gulf of Thailand include: (a) limited the Critically Endangered Okinawa
river dams disrupt natural nutrient information regarding fsh life cycle and woodpecker and the Japanese
fows. critical habitat linkages and the role macaque, the famous “snow monkeys”
that marine habitats play in sustaining that are the most northerly-living non-
Particular challenges to conservation fsheries; (b) low level understanding human primates in the world (CI, 2007).
in the Yellow Sea eco-region include among stakeholders, including fshers, Japan has a relatively high diversity of
long-standing regional tensions, scientists, policymakers, and fsheries amphibians as well, with 75 percent
extremely rapid economic growth and habitat managers of the linkages being endemic to the islands.
and development, and the migratory between fsh stocks and habitats; (c)
nature of many of its species. There are limited community acceptance of Japan’s increased interest in leisure
also few examples of successful habitat “protected” area-based approaches to has put a diferent type of strain on
conservation available to decisionmakers marine management in Southeast Asia; the natural environment. Forests are
in the region, and local conservation and (d) limited efectiveness in national being cleared for ski resorts and golf
eforts alone cannot achieve a signifcant fsheries and environment departments courses. Coastal regions and wetlands
reduction in the rate of biodiversity and ministries with respect to the are also being lost to development,
loss as mandated by the Millennium implementation of integrated fsheries principally agricultural expansion, river
Development Goals (Moores). and habitat management approaches channelization and road building. On
(Siriraksophon, et al., 2009). Hokkaido, the wetlands favored by
South China Sea and Gulf of nesting red-crowned cranes continue
Thailand Japan to be lost to development. One-third of
almost 300 km2 of marshland in Kushiro
Increasing levels of fshing efort, The islands that make up the Japanese has been converted to agricultural,
coupled with continuing decline in Archipelago stretch from the humid industrial or residential use since the
the total area of habitats critical to the subtropics in the south to the boreal 1970s.
life cycles of most species, have raised zone in the north, resulting in a wide
serious concerns for the long-term variety of climates and ecosystems The decrease of fshery production
sustainability of fsheries of the South that can also be found in some (e.g., short-necked clam), the decay of
China Sea and Gulf of Thailand. The key other countries. About a quarter of seagrass felds, and the endangered
barriers to efective fsheries habitat the vertebrate species occurring in species, like horseshoe crab, which
management in the South China Sea this hotspot are endemic, including are caused by changes in people’s
Figure 4. Mekong River. Figure 5. Yellow Sea – Potential Priority Areas (Choi).
Source: www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/asean/relation/mekong.html. Source: WWF- KORDI- KEI, 2008.
10 July 2011
lifestyle and activities, such as to contain the following parts, which to unwillingness to commit; lack of
forestry, f sheries, agriculture, waste more often are not strictly complied suf cient management and/or legal
disposal and treatment, construction, with: protection of potential World Heritage
land reclamation, industries, and marine areas; and limited institutional
compounded by global warming, have “a. A legally constituted core area capacity to prepare nominations.
triggered the development of plans for or areas devoted to long-term
integrated management (Ukita). protection, according to the Ramsar Convention 1971
conservation objectives of
Conserving biodiversity: the biosphere reserve, and of The Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar,
Fighting an uphill battle? suf cient size to meet these 1971) is an intergovernmental treaty
objectives; that aims for the conservation and wise
There are various international b. A buf er zone or zones clearly use of wetlands through cooperation
conventions and agreements that identif ed and surrounding between stakeholders, as a contribution
have been adopted and signed by or contiguous to the core towards achieving sustainable
countries. Sadly, these conventions area or areas, where only development. One of the obligations
and agreements have not been activities compatible with the of Parties is that they should identify
applied or enforced to anywhere near conservation objectives can take internationally important wetlands in
their potential to achieve desired place; and their territory and place them on the
outcomes. Country policies, national c. An outer transition area Ramsar List. Wetlands can be considered
legislation and the obligations to where sustainable resource as ‘Ramsar sites’ if they fulf ll one of
international conventions and treaties management practices are nine criteria that fall under two broad
are poorly implemented. Improving promoted and developed.” categories, i.e., if the site contains
environmental awareness of central representative, rare or unique wetland
*
and local governments, communities The World Heritage Convention is types, or if the site is important for
and private sector is essential. a high-prof le global conservation conserving biodiversity.
Conservation is still sometimes agreement that can both recognize
perceived as an imposition that hinders the outstanding importance and Under the Ramsar Convention, coastal
the development of local economy quality of our marine habitats, and wetlands include those areas that reach
and subsequently the welfare of local help as a global mechanism to a depth of six meters at low tide, e.g.,
communities. Conservation is often secure their conservation. The World peat swamps, lagoons, mangroves,
considered by national governments Heritage Convention aims to promote inter-tidal f ats, coral reefs and seagrass
as a low priority and something to cooperation among nations to protect beds. These coastal wetlands are
be undertaken when the economy heritage around the world that is of internationally important for a variety of
has already developed and resources such outstanding universal value that reasons, such as (Young, 2009):
are available. It is essential that such its conservation is important for current
perspectives be turned around and future generations. It is intended t 1SPWJEJOHFDPTZTUFNTFSWJDFTFH
— conservation contributes to that, unlike the seven wonders of the providing nutrients so the site can
sustainable local development and ancient world, sites and properties act as a nursery and feeding grounds
costs may be higher in the future if on the World Heritage List will be for coastal f shery; protects coastal
conservation is not done now. conserved for all time. The challenge areas from typhoons and stabilizes
is that this Convention has not been shorelines;
World Heritage Convention 1972 adequately applied in the marine t )BCJUBUTDPOTFSWBUJPOFH
MBHPPOT
environment. The main obstacles mangrove forests, tidal f ats, coral
The United Nations has developed identif ed to advance nominations of reefs, and seagrass beds;
a system for designating “Biosphere (marine) World Heritage Sites include: t #JPEJWFSTJUZDPOTFSWBUJPOFH
Reserves,” which represent the lack of knowledge on the nomination coastal plant communities (e.g.,
world’s varied ecosystems and process; existing guidelines not mangroves); mammals (e.g.,
provide opportunities for scientif c necessarily being geared to the context dugongs); birds (e.g., migratory
research and sustainable economic of certain regions (e.g., Pacif c); lack waterbirds), f sh (e.g., Chinese
development based on ecological of knowledge on the implications of Sturgeon); invertebrates (e.g.,
principles. Each reserve is intended a World Heritage listing, which leads crustacean); reptiles (e.g., estuarine
* The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on
16 November 1972.