monia martini romania green economy projects manager wwf
TRANSCRIPT
Monia Martini
Romania Green Economy Projects Manager
WWF-Romania
Project Steering Committee IV
Bucharest, 29 October 2013
Presentation focus
The payment scheme designed for Ciocanesti
The phased approach
Operational framework
Risks and assumptions
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
Payments for improving the quality of the
environment important for birds diversity
Goal: To promote a balance between economic and
biodiversity needs through aqua-environment payments under
the OP Fisheries that support responsible aquaculture
practices.
Focus: Implementation of practices for the management of
vegetation and water in the fish farm basins in order to improve
the quality of the environment important for birds.
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
The approach
Phase I Phase II
2014-2016
Phase III
? 2010-2013
Feasibility studies on hidrology and water quality, water policy,
tourism trends and ecotourism development opportunities,
valuation of ES, public-funding opportunities.
Stakeholders engagement:
1. In 2011 SC Calarasi SRL applied to OP Fisheries 2007-
2013, Measure 2.1: Aquaculture, Operation 1:
Environmental protection à failed because the
environmental practices for nature-friendly basins
management developed by the Danube PES team and
incorporated in the proposal were not approved by an
evaluator recognized by the OP Managing Authority
(indicators were not considered robust enough).
Fundraising for testing the environmental practices for nature-
friendly basins management is ongoing.
Testing of the environmental
practices for nature-friendly
basins management:
· management of water
quality
· management of
wetland habitat
important for birds
Monitoring and evaluation.
Development of ecotourism
types of infrastructure at farm
level in order to enhance
identified business
development opportunities.
2 main conditions will determ
the transition to a PES scheme
or SFM:
· werther results of the
monitoring and
evaluation phase show or
not the delivery of water
quality and maintenance
of biodiversity;
· werther business
development
opportunities are able to
self-sustain or co-finance
the implementation of the
environmental practices
for nature-friendly basins
management.
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
PHASE I - Feasibility studies
What is the problem? Socio-economic analysis
Local livelihood:
• Agriculture and aquaculture are the main economic activities
• Tourism?
Natura 2000
site = SPA
Ciocăneşti
Dunăre
(ROSPA0021)
– 904 ha
Potential
Ramsar site
Lower Danube
floodplain
233 ha total farm surface:
30 water basins
20 ha dams and canals
15 ha agriculture land
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
Birds diversity depending on Ciocanesti for food,
nesting, and resting.
Influenced by climate conditions, and amount of
water surface in the basins.
10636 individuals and 100 species observed.
Species protected at International - 6, European
- 31, and National – 18 levels).
✖ Recreational value
✔ Biodiversity maintenance (birds)
Livelihood challenge: To maintain business
profitability in conditions of damages from
cormorants and other fish eating birds (about
50% of production) so far, nets above
some fish basins (20 ha) offer low-impact
protection against birds
Podiceps cristatus –
Great crested grebe
Phalacrocorax pygmeus –
Pygmy cormorant
Habitat
Individuals
Species
Food Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
Phenology
Individuals Species
Nesting
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
Water monitoring plan:
- 9 proof collection points at farm level
- analysis done in May, July, October
- the 3 points of supply (P1, P2, P3) have the highest
concentrations of suspended organic matter, CCO-
Cr and nitrates = eutrophication / poor quality water
� Provisioning of fish
✖ Water quality
Livelihood challenge: To foster market access for
HNV/quality products.
Fisheries policy
• Based on EFF, the Romanian OP Fisheries 2007-2013 finances the following 3
types of actions targeting the environment :
Action 1 - environmental protection;
Action 2 - transition to organic aquaculture;
Action 3 - sustainable aquaculture in Natura 2000 sites.
• No clear methodology to access OP Fisheries 2007-2013, Measure 2.1:
Aquaculture, Operation 1: Environmental protection.
• Many fish farms outside Natura 2000 sites are similar to the Ciocanesti case and
have demanded similar financial support for maintaining biodiversity values.
• The estimated number of farms eligible for payments under the proposed scheme
amounts to 620 out of the total registered farms, covering a total eligible surface of
80,087 ha (no exact data available to compare fish farm surfaces in and out
Natura 2000).
• Besides, Natura 2000 payments are designed to compensate income losses and
not to stimulate sustainable action.
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
These are the main benefits to human well-being!
Poor data approximation and availability
Also better solutions provided by education, legislation, and access to market
Priority on biodiversity maintenance confirmed
Ecosystems valuation
Type of ES Group of ES Description Euro (2010)
Provisioning Nutrition Fish production 592,000
(3,202 €/ha)
Regulation and
maintenance
Maintenance of
physical, chemical,
biological conditions
Carbon sequestration
(reed, soil vegetation and
trees)
5,856
Carbon storage (trees) 3,550
Biodiverisity
maintenance
Hunting penalties 19,500
(77 €/ha)
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
The conclusion is that…
The draining of the Lower Danube floodplain during communism with the
purpose to create land for agriculture production has massively reduced
wetland type of habitats, which host important biodiversity (birds in
particular).
Not surprisingly aquaculture fish farms have become a main economic activity
in the Lower Danube, and have played a key role so far in preserving important
wetland habitats and birds species from total disappearance.
However specific human activities are threatening this role.
In our study area irresponsible practices e.g. agriculture/aquaculture/industry are
directly affecting the quality of the environment important for birds.
Rural development policies related to the fisheries sector are fundamental in
creating the conditions for balancing economic and nature conservation needs.
To mobilize public funds that stimulate the transition towards
responsible aquaculture, by supporting basins management practices
that improve the quality of the environment important for birds
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
Scenario 1. Minimum impact on
water quality and fish production
PHASE II – Testing of environmental practices
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
Measures implemented on basin EC2
(not the most affected by nutrients charge)
41 ha and app. 3 ha of reed
Action 1. Reduction of fertilizers
10% - 41 ha x 69 Euro/ha = 2829 Euro
20% - 41 ha x 138 Euro/ha = 5658 Euro
Action 2. Monitoring of action 1 effects – water quality analysis
10 samples x 69 Euro/sample x 2 times/year (spring and autumn before
emptying the basins) = 1380 Euro
Scenario 1. Minimum impact on
water quality and fish production
PHASE II – Testing of environmental practices
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
Action 3. Measuring the reed area on basin EC2
40 Euro/trip + 100 Euro (GIS expert) + 55 Euro (ortophotoplans aquiring) = 195 Euro
Action 4. Maintaining the area covered by reed – app. 3 ha
3 ha x 4719 Euro/ha = 14157 Euro
Action 5. Flooding unused basin with water and populating them with non-
commercial fish species – breeding basins
10 ha x 531 Euro/month/ha x 7 months = 37 170 Euro
Action 6. Monitoring the effects of action 5 - bird monitoring
7 trips x 80 Euro/trip (2 days each) + 1600 Euro/specialist = 2160 Euro
Total scenario 1:
57691 Euro (with 10% fertilizers reduction)
60320 Euro (with 20% fertilizers reduction)
Scenario 2. Maximum impact on
water quality and fish production
PHASE II – Testing of environmental practices
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
Measures implemented on basin EC1B
(affected by nutrients charge)
36 ha and app. 1 ha of reed
Action 1. Reduction of fertilizers
10% - 36 ha x 69 Euro/ha = 2484 Euro
20% - 36 ha x 138 Euro/ha = 4968 Euro
Action 2. Monitoring of action 1 effects – water quality analysis
10 samples x 69 Euro/sample x 2 times/year (spring and autumn before
emptying the basins) = 1380 Euro
Scenario 2. Maximum impact on
water quality and fish production
PHASE II – Testing of environmental practices
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
Action 3. Measuring the reed area on basin EC1B
40 Euro/trip + 100 Euro (GIS expert) + 55 Euro (ortophotoplans aquiring) = 195
Euro
Action 4. Maintaining the area covered by reed – app. 1 ha
1 ha x 4719 Euro/ha = 4719 Euro
Action 5. Flooding unused basin with water and populating them with non-
commercial fish species – breeding basins
10 ha x 531 Euro/month/ha x 7 months = 37170 Euro
Action 6. Monitoring the efect of action 5 - bird monitoring
7 trips x 80 Euro/trip (2 days each) + 1600 Euro/specialist = 2160 Euro
Total scenario 2:
48472 Euro (with 10% fertilizers reduction)
50956 Euro (with 20% fertilizers reduction)
Governance structure: Managing Authority
OP Fisheries
Financing mechanism: European Fishery Fund – OP
Fisheries Romania
Payment mechanism: one-off payment based on
environmental commitments
Environmental Service: Biodiversity protection
Fish farm administrator:
Ciocanesti Piscicola Srl
Direct beneficiaries: Society Visitors
Indirect beneficiaries: Populating Units in need
of small fish
Fish consumers
Operational framework
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
PracticesScenario
Sustainablepracticesarenotinplace
Legalrequirementsareimplemented
Morethan“normalgoodaquaculturepractices”areinplace
Businessasusualpractices
Nopaymentisgranted
Natura2000requirements
Compensationforlossesaregrantedaccordingtolegislativeprovisions
Responsibleaquaculturepractices
Action-orientedpaymentsaregrantedàPESasincentive?
PracticesScenario
Sustainablepracticesarenotinplace
Legalrequirementsareimplemented
Morethan“normalgoodaquaculturepractices”areinplace
Businessasusualpractices
0
Natura2000requirements
800Ron/ha=approx.190Euro/ha(upto35%lossofincome)1000Ron/ha=approx.237Euro/ha(upto50%lossofincome)
Responsibleaquaculturepractices
Uptoabout60000Euro/year,dependingonthescenario.
Th
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Risks and assumptions
Risk that:
• funds are not raised to cover start-up costs necessary to test the identified
nature-friendly basins management practices;
• OP Fisheries 2014-2020 does not include environmental quality/biodiversity
maintenance type of aquaculture payments.
Assumption that in the meanwhile:
• results from the implementation of local development strategies or other
initiatives will be in place that support business development opportunities.
• easier access to market for proved HNV/quality products, without
necessarily having to obtain the organic certification.
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti
Monia Martini
www.wwf.ro
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/black_sea_
basin/danube_carpathian/our_solutions/green_public_funds/pe
s/the_danube_pes_project/
Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti