GEF and Integration of Activities in Biodiversity and

International Waters

3rd International Water Conference

June 2005 – Bahia, Brazil

Examples of Integration between International Waters and Biodiversity

1. Marine and Coastal Environmental Management - Tanzania

2. Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Sea Large Marine Ecosystem

3. Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME)

4. Towards a Convention and Action Programme for the Protection of the Caspian Sea Environment

5. Jordan Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan (GAEAP)

6. Global Coral Reef Targeted Research & CB for Management (Bleaching – Ecological Process – Disease, Restoration)

BD

Marine and Coastal Environmental Management - Tanzania

Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Sea LargeMarine Ecosystem

Bay of Bengal Large MarineEcosystem (BOBLME)

Towards a Convention and Action Programme for the Protection of the Caspian Sea Environment

Jordan Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan (GAEAP)

IW Adapt PS

X X X

X X X X

X X X

X X X X

X X X X

Marine and Coastal Environmental Management

- Tanzania

Activities1. Sound Management of the Exclusive Economic Zone

(EEZ)

• EZZ Planning Support• Implementation of EEZ Common Governance Regime• Developing and Supporting Partnerships in EZZ

Management

2. Establishing and managing a system of marine areas• Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Planning Support• Implementation of Network of Marine Managed and

Protected Areas• Developing and Supporting Partnerships in ICM

PS: Facilitating local partnerships through marketing initiatives and barrier removal (to improve sector performance and support ICM)

SAPs and Investment in: Pollution reduction Conservation of Mediterranean

Marine Coastal Biodiversity

Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Sea Large Marine Ecosystem

P.S.: Participation in water resource management and water quality through demonstration projects and ad hoc training

Adaptation: Strengthen policy and institutional framework related to Climate Change

Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME)

Issues: Unsustainable harvesting of certain species Continued degradation of highly productive coastal and

near-shore marine habitats Accumulative effects associated with land-based

sources of pollution

Activities:

1. Strategic Action Program (SAP)

2. Coastal/Marine Natural Resources Management and Sustainable Use

3. Improved Understanding and Predictability of the BOBLME

4. Maintenance of Ecosystem Health and Management of Pollution

5. Private Sector: Stakeholder in TDA and SAP development process

Key Issues and Activities

Strategic Partnership Example: Caspian Sea

By joining forces in SAP Implementation, the GEF IW and Biodiversity Focal Areas can assist the

Caspian countries to respond to the challenge of integrated natural resources management in the Caspian Basin.

POPs: Stockpiles Disposal, Decontamination of sitesIW: Coastal management,

Fisheries, pollution reduction

Biodiversity: Protected areas, control of alien species, habitat restoration

Climate Change: Rural electrification - RETs as alternatives to fuel-wood

Land Degradation:Sustainable grazing,Soil Conservation demos

Conservation and Sustainable Use of Globally Significant Biological Diversity in Khazar Nature Reserve on the Caspian Sea Coast

Biodiversity: Protected areas, control of alien species, habitat restoration

PS: Co-financer (oil & gas industry); Advisory body

Adaptation: Rural Electrification – RETs as alternatives to fuel-wood

Sharm El Sheik

Dahab

Nuweiba

Egypt

Taba

Eilat

Aqaba

Jordan

Israel

SaudiArabia

RasMohammedNational Park

NabqProtectedArea

AbuGalumProtected

Area

Gul

f of A

qaba

The Aqaba Coast

Multi-Country Initiative

Transboundary issues Egypt: 260 km; Israel: 14

km; Jordan: 27 km Ecosystems: coral reefs

and desert hinterland Beaches, Clear & Warm

Water, Sun Uses vary per country

JORDAN GULF OF AQABA ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN (GAEAP)

GEF–FUNDED COMPONENTS

GAEAPs FrameworkInstitutional Framework:

Management of Environmental Issues

Legislative and Regulatory

Investments and TA: Pollution & Conservation

PA Management

Applied Research

Public Awareness & Environmental Education

Sustainability

Jordan GAEAP including GEF project for GEF-funded components

Development Objective

To Contain Existing Damage and Prevent Further Environmental Degradation of the Gulf of Aqaba’s Coast, Coral Reefs and Marine Ecosystem

Project Activities• Development of an Institutional &

Legislative/Regulatory Framework• Creation of an Environmental Department

under ARA which became an Environmental Commission under ASEZA using project institutional set-up as a model

• Environmental law with full jurisdictional powers over resource management and pollution control

• EIA (implemented)and CZM Guidelines• GIS (planning tool) and MIS data base

management

• Marine water monitoring

– physical-chemical properties

– benthic habitats: fish and corals

– sedimentation rates

• Air pollution monitoring

– stack emissions

– outdoors ambient air quality

– indoors ambient air quality

Project Activities

• Industrial pollution abatement– industrial audit– emergency response plan– a permit-based regulatory structure

• Marine vessel pollution prevention– new regulation in line with MARPOL– solid waste, sanitary water and

waste oil recovery

Project Activities

• Implementation of a Managed Resource Marine Park– Marine Park Management Plan regularly

updated (includes zoning and use regulations, fishing ban, ranger enforcement)

– Facilities (cross-over jetties, sunshades,toilets, camping area, parking)

– Visitor Center - Learning– Public Awareness and Community Participation

Project Activities

Regional Cooperation• Joint monitoring and research programs (MERC) • Data exchange• Compatible GIS and MIS data management

procedures• Transboundary consultation and cooperation

within the framework of the marine park• Coordinated responses and measures to combat

environmental problems

• COMMITMENT/OWNERSHIP, Equal Importance at the highest level of authority and at the local population level

• Participatory Preparation & Implementation Lengthy Process

• SWOT Analysis

Key Lessons

Institutional: Decentralization vs CentralizationDecentralized Coastal Zone Management Institution with Decision Making Authority optimalStaff IncentivesClose Relationships with Community & InvestorsEnabling vs Policing Role & Promotion of Private/Public PartnershipTraining

Legal & Regulatory Framework accompanied by Enforceable Tools and Personnel essential

Needed Investments & TA (transfer of experiences)

PA Management with all concerned Partners crucial coupled with Monitoring & Applied Research

Public Awareness & Environmental Education:

importance of using local language & listening

Sustainability: Revenue Generation & Reallocation to PA/

Establishing public beaches

Integration of Local Population in the Regional Development Process

Local Management w/ Authority

Scarcity of truly MP management oriented science-Issue

Competitive Calls for Applied Research