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Development of the South China Sea Demonstration Site Network: 2002-2008

Nha Trang, Viet NamDr. Vo Si Tuan

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GEF Funding for Habitat Demonstration SitesGEF allocation for demonstration sites stated in the Project Brief as being:

Mangroves: 3 sites (US$1.2 million over 3 years)Coral Reefs: 3 sites (US$1.2 million over 3 years)Seagrass: 3 sites (US$1.1 million over 3 years)

Anticipated Role of the Demonstration Sites1. To implement and experiment with new management

models and methods2. To produce knowledge, experiences, and good practices3. To serve as a node with the regional learning network for

the South China Sea

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Consequences of 9 Sites in 3 Habitats in 7 Countries

Many sites in need of intervention, although limited fundsNo country could ““expectexpect”” a demonstration site in each habitat typeIf the principle of equity were applied, each country could only ““expectexpect”” 1.3 demonstration sitesWetlands would have no sites unless additional funds were raised

High Potential for Site Selection Process to

Cause Conflict(=Division & Acrimony)

Potential for Selection of Sites that Didn’t

Align with Regional or Global Needs

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Need for an ““ObjectiveObjective”” Approach to Site Selection

This required:This required:

Acceptance that funds were limited

and that equal division of

resources would compromise the success of sites

The process to be clear and easily understood by scientists and

managers, and to be based on good data and science

Use of criteria to assess importance of sites in terms of

biodiversity, transboundaryrelevance, and

global significance

Preparatory activities during the first two years (2002-2004) of project implementation were used to develop the

process of site selection

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Steps in the Process of Selecting Demonstration Sites

Defining Data & Info Needs

Defining the Process

Evaluating the Data

Cluster Analysis

Determining Priority Sites

Agreeing the Outcome

2002 2004/5

26 mangrove sites 43 coral reef sites 26 seagrass sites 40 wetland sites

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Outcomes of the Demonstration Site Selection Process

Innovative Scientific Solution to a Potential Political Problem

Regionally prioritised listing of 135 habitat sitesProposals for intervention at 23 sites across all habitat typesRegional GIS database of site dataIntergovernmentally agreed procedure for determining regional priority sitesDecisions taken in an amicable manner through consensus

Procedure Suitable for Replication in other Projects

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Implementation of Demonstration Site Activities

Network of 23 Demonstration Projects Operated from 2005-2008

11 habitat demonstration sites funded via GEF SCS project grant1 pollution pilot activity funded via GEF SCS project grant3 demonstration sites operating as GEF Medium-Sized Projects4 sites being developed as GEF Medium-Sized Projects4 self-funded habitat projects and demonstration sites

Promotion of the Use of Regional Science for Local Management

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Common Actions at the Habitat Demonstration Sites

Operation of Multi-Sectorial

Management Boards

Management Plan Preparation and

Adoption

Stakeholder Participation in

Planning/Enforcement

Habitat and Living Marine Resource

Monitoring

Capacity Building for Habitat and Resource

Management

Rehabilitation of Degraded Coastal

Habitats

Enhancement of Public and Private Sector Awareness

Developing New and Additional

Livelihoods

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A Diverse Variety of Information and Data Generated

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Three Mayors’ Round-tables with more than 40 participants each, as fora for senior government officials and site managers

Information exchange through the project website (visits to demonstration site page; e-forum by Koh Chang & CHARM)

Site visits from one to another (Kampot, Koh Chang, Phu Quoc)

All meetings of the RWGs convened at the demonstration sites enable exchanges between local people and regional experts

ACHIEVEMENTS 1Established and operational regional network to ensure

information and experience exchange in the region

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Coordination among local government organisations at high level Management Boards chaired by Governor/Vice Governors orMayors (Kampot, Phu Quoc, Fangchengang, Hepu, Batu Ampar,Bolinao, Masinloc, Trat, Peam Krashop).

Use of the established management body in Phu Quoc for long -term management and planning at the site level

Adoption of Management Board process by Beihai municipality for other projects

Integration of demonstration site objectives with planning for sustainable development of provinces/district/municipality.

Eg. Tourist development in Phu Quoc, Koh Chang;Mangrove Multiple use in Fangchengang; Small scale MPAs managed by local government Masinloc.

ACHIEVEMENTS 2Established effective mechanisms for local coordination of planning and managing environment and resources

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Training on: project management (Peam Krashop); mangrove management, silvo-fisheries techniques (BatuAmpar), survey techniques & ecological monitoring (Hepu; Kampot)…..

Improved facilities and equipment for enforcement by “Bantay Dagat” (Masinloc, Bolinao...), coral restoration (Koh Chang, Phu Quoc)

Mobilisation of additional funds for management (Koh Chang, Fangchengang, Phu Quoc)

ACHIEVEMENTS – 3Capacity building for long term management of coastal

resources and environment

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• Biodiversity, resources and resource use in Phu Quoc, PeamKrashop, Batu Ampar, Kampot ...

• Carrying capacity for tourism in KohChang

• Economic valuation(Fangchengang, Trat, East Bintan)

• GIS database for management(Batu Ampar, Trat, Phu Quoc, ...

• Application of remote sensing for habitat assessment at Ninh Hai, PhuQuoc, Kampot

ACHIEVEMENTS – 4Provision of sound scientific information and data as

baselines for habitat and resource management

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Developed management plans for sustainable use of habitats and resources (most of sites)

Consultation among related governmental agencies in planning and implementation of development projects (Tourist management in Koh Chang, Phu Quoc; Mangrove use in Batu Ampar, Fangchengang)

Involvement of stakeholders in planning and implementation of management plans (mooring buoy setting in Koh Chang; volunteer groups for conservation of coral reefs & sea turtles in Ninh Hai; Mangrove park with involvement of private sector in Fangchengang)

ACHIEVEMENTS – 5Planning for long term, multi-sectorial coordination

and management for multiple use of resources

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Production and dissemination of a huge volume of materials;posters, leaflets, notice boards, CD-room; newsletters (most of sites)

Awareness programmes for children in schools (Trat, Belitung)

Education campaign (Bolinao)

Information center (Fangchengang, Batu Ampar, and Hepu)

ACHIEVEMENTS – 6Promotion of knowledge and awareness for consensus

and support to sustainable management practices

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Non-timber products from mangrove Coconut shell charcoal and soft-shelled crab (Batu Ampar)

“Danggit” fermented fish (Bolinao)

Fish Crackers (Belitung) Livelihood centre & sea cucumber culture (Masinloc)

Eco-farming trials in the urban mangrove area – First Urban Mangrove Park globally (Fangchangang)

Home stay for 2,000 – 3,000 visitors per annum (Trat)

Local Guide Centre (Koh Chang)

ACHIEVEMENTS – 7Support for supplementary or alternative livelihoods of

local communities

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• Development of joint policy for management of habitats & resources in transboundarywaters

• Establishment of joint GIS database

• Capacity building through training & exchange

• Institutional arrangements for cooperation - Periodic jointmeetings of management teams

ACHIEVEMENTS – 8Encouraged transboundary management of resource

and environment between:Kampot – Phu Quoc and Trat – Peam Krashop

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Re-stock of giant clams, sea cucumber (Masinloc)

Mangrove rehabilitation (Trat, PeamKrashop, Batu Ampar)

Nursery garden and rehabilitation of endangered mangroves species Heritieralitoralis in Fangchengang

Coral restoration (Koh Chang, Phu Quoc)

ACHIEVEMENTS – 9Rehabilitation and initial improvement of habitat state

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Inputs from demonstration sites for development of the regional fisheries refugiasystem

Establishment of pilot fisheries refugia at PhuQuoc

ACHIEVEMENTS – 10Promotion of linkages between fisheries and habitat

management

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Domestic waste management (Batam)

Management of heavy metal discharge (Batam)

Generation of income from compost production

Use of mangroves for the treatment of effluent from intensive aquaculture (Shantou)

ACHIEVEMENTS – 11Contributions to reduced waste discharge to the

marine environment

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Lessons Learned in Habitat and Pollution Management

Mangrove Management Based on Government

Policy

Use of Traditional Wisdom in

Management Planning

Integrating Fisheries and Habitat

Management

Transboundary Waters Management –

Cambodia and Viet Nam

Use of Small-Scale MPAs Rehabilitation of Habitats Tourism Carrying Capacity Education and Awareness

Industry and Community Involvement in Pollution Management

High Potential for Replication High Potential for Replication at other Sites in the South at other Sites in the South China Sea and Gulf of ThailandChina Sea and Gulf of Thailand