Benguela Current CommissionFrom Science to Sustainable

Governance

Nico E. Willemse

BCLME SAP Implementation Project

Convention was signed on 18 March 2013 in the City of Benguela, Angola

The Benguela Current Commission

• Founded by Angola, Namibia and South Africa – cooperation commenced in early 1990s – Fisheries, Transport, Minerals and Environment;

• One of first GEF IW Projects that developed a TDA/SAP based on the LME approach – SAP endorsed by 2001;

• Countries signed Interim Agreement by 2007 to establish the BCC;• Commission secretariat opened in Aug 2008 with appointment of

Exec Sec and SAP Implementation commenced – Science-to-Governance approach

• TDA/ SAP and Science Programme revision/ update 2012-2013 –based on the objective and principles of the convention;

• Legally binding Convention signed on 18 March 2013; with Interim Agreement in place till text is ratified;

Science Output/ Outcome Proposed implementation Governance Output/

Outcome1. SAP advocate for permanent mechanism for LME management

- Convention drafting- National and regional consultations- Signing and ratification

BCC Convention and a full institutionalised LME Commission

2. Regional Oil Spill Risk Assessment and Coastal Sensitivity Mapping

- Review nationally and regionally to revise and update draft policy document

- Endorsement and implementation

Regional Atlas of CSMs and Cooperation Framework to protect transboundary areas

3. Guidelines for water quality in coastal areas

- Review nationally and regionally to revise and update draft policy document

- Endorsement and implementation

Regional Sea Water Quality Guidelines

4. Joint Transboundary Surveys and Stock Assessment; Ecological Risk Assessments

- Initiate discussion on joint assessment, agreement of State of the Stocks and to facilitate stock sharing arrangements

- [Lessons to learn from Peru and Chile]- Check if national policies/ laws enable joint

management

Regional State of the Stocks and initiating the process of Joint Mgt PlanningNamibia – review Fisheries Act to incorporate EAF and joint mgt.

5. Biodiversity mapping and identification of areas for improved conservation and protection of marine resources

- Validate the proposed areas and endorse recommendations

- Engage national processes to declare MPAs, closed seasons, etc.

Declare the protected areas or implement closed seasons, etc.

Headquarters located in marine research centre, Swakopmund

Eight offices, server room, a board room and reception area

Generous support from Namibia

Institutional Milestones: Secretariat , roles and functions (1)

•Finance and Administration Committee (FAC);•Regional Training Advisory Group (RTAG)•Minerals and Extractive Resources Working Group• Finance and Admin instruments – HR, Finance, Procurement, Travel and DSA and Investment policies

Institutional Milestones: Secretariat, roles and functions (2)

• Corporate image development and branding – raising awareness and increasing visibility;

• Mainstreaming the brand through information products;

• Stakeholder outreach and involvement through partnerships [first BCC Youth Summit held from 6-8 Jun 2013 – resulted in Regional Youth Network and Declaration to Ministers]

•

Institutional Milestones: Secretariat, roles and functions (3)

Social networking provides access to info and

facilitates involvement

•The Benguela Current Convention

•Regional Information and Data Sharing Policy and Protocol

Policy and Management Milestones (1)

• Economic valuation of ecosystem goods and services

• Management planning for Orange River Mouth

• Scoping report for Strategic Environmental Assessment of BCLME

• Ocean Policy devt for Angola and S.A.

• Revision of Marine Res Act Nam

Policy and Management Milestones (2)

•BCC Training and Capacity Building (TCB) Strategy and Policy•Ongoing improvement of technical and scientific skills and capacity – e.g. fish stock assessment and Responsible Fisheries training;•Awareness and capacity building about ocean governance, transboundary management and ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) management

•Certificates of Attendance were handed to participants at the 2011 Annual Science Forum in Swakopmund

Capacity Strengthening Milestones

• Strategic Plan• Business Plan• Resource Mobilisation

and Partnership Strategy• Revising and updating of

the TDA and Strategic Action Programme

• Development of the new Science Programme

• These focus on the sustainability of BCC

• Annual Science Forum of the BCC, Swakopmund, Oct 2011

Instruments under preparation

•Global Environment Facility (GEF) – Support foundation of the BCC and technical support for sustainability planning (Key outputs Secretariat and Convention)•Norwegian Foreign Ministry – BCC Science Programme implementation•ICEIDA – BCC Training and Capacity Building Strategy implementation•FAO EAF-Nansen Project– Implementation of EAF Projects;•GEF-Funded climate change vulnerability project for BCLME•EU – improving stock identification and assessment

Development Partner Milestones

•FAO•Danish Technical University (DTU)•Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa (ODINAFRICA)•Global Partnership on Climate, Fisheries and Aquaculture (PaCFA).•NansClim and GENUS Projects•UNDP and UNOPS – implementing and executing support and capacity building2011 Annual Science Forum, Swakopmund, Oct 2011

Strategic Partnership and Networking Milestones (1)

•Abidjan Convention – ecosystem protection•International Maritime Organisation (IMO) -Regional Oil Spill Risk Assessment (OSRA) and Contingency Planning•GOOS and ODIN Africa for operation oceanography•UNESCO-IOC – Promote ecosystem management•NOAA – Implementation of LME approach•African LME Caucus – BCC as chair of the Caucus

Strategic Partnership and Networking Milestones (2)

•BCC Interim Agreement as strong foundation;•Interest, willingness and commitment by Negotiating Task Groups;•Strong leadership by the Consultant, Team Leaders and Chief Negotiators

•Left-to-right: Mr. Terje Lobach (Consultant) and members of the country Negotiating Task Groups, S.A., Angola and Namibia, at the first Regional Negotiation meeting, Oct 2010, Swakopmund

Success factors: Convention development process (1)

• Drawing from best practices and modern instruments

• Available competence from all countries drove the process

• South African delegation at the 1st Ministerial Conference, Milnerton, Cape Town, Sep 2010

Success factors: Convention development process (2)

• Spirit of cooperation which facilitated flexibility in negotiating tough issues

• Angolan delegation at the 2nd Ministerial Conference, Stellenbosch, S.A., Mar 2011

Success factors: Convention development process (3)

• Ownership of the process by the Parties

• Strong political will and leadership

• Support from development partners

• Ministers at the 2nd Ministerial Conference of the BCC, Stellenbosch, S.A., Mar 2011

Success factors: Convention development process (4)

What have we learned:

- History determines pace, willingness and solidarity;- Ownership and buy-in at national level improves chances of success and sustainability;- Market the Commission as a partner to meet national/ regional sustainable development goals and targets (MDGs, poverty reduction, employment, etc.);- High level political support is essential otherwise it will remain to be seen as “donor-driven initiative ‘housed’ in govt”;- Enlist champions and offer a legacy;- BCC in itself is a system of peer review and accountability – no one wants to be left behind or seen to not do the right thing!- Science cooperation is a good platform for trust and confidence building;- Continuity may offer efficiencies and effectiveness but may also counterproductive;- Corporate image, branding and mainstreaming is crucial – like Coca Cola, Apple, SONY?- Ministerial involvement enables ACTION – bottom-up as scientists and managers define 2-yr agenda and ministers endorse as Communiqué