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Minutesofthe30thICRIGeneralMeeting
Pattaya,Thailand,1-4December2015
SummaryoftheGeneralMeeting
The30thICRIGeneralMeeting(GM),andthesecondandfinalmeetingunderthe2014-2015Japan-ThailandSecretariat,washeldfrom1stto4thDecember2015inPattaya,Thailand.ThroughthesupportfromJapanandUNEP,delegatesfromseveralcountriesandorganisationswereabletoattendandparticipateinthemeeting.Intotal,69delegatesfrom20ICRImembercountriesandorganisationsattendedthemeeting(Appendix1).
Observersfromthefollowingcountriesandagencieswerewelcomedatthemeeting:
- Malaysia- Cambodia- TheReef-WorldFoundation
1. ReportsfromICRIbodies
Members'reports
Mr.TadashiKimura,fromtheJapanWildlifeandResearchCentre(JWRC)andrepresentingtheICRISecretariat,summarizedtheresultsofthemembers’reportsthatwerebasedontherevisedreportingformatpresentedatthe29thICRIGM.
TheSecretariatreceived11outof33andeightoutof32governmentandorganizationreports.Governmentsreportedanaverageof5.1projects(59projectsintotal)whileorganizationsaveraged4.0projects(32projectsintotal).Activitiesfocusingon“Scienceandmonitoring”themedominatedGovernmentprojects,while“Capacitybuilding”and“ICM”activitiesweresimilarlyrepresented.“Capacitybuilding”and“Scienceandmonitoring”activitieswereequallyrepresentedinorganizationprojects,with“ICM”relatedactivitiesnotfarbehind.“Review”activitieswerenothighlyprioritizedandwerethelowestforboth.Organizationstendedtoengageothersectorslightlymorefrequentlythangovernments,whilegovernmentsreportedhighersuccessfulzoningactivities.
Supportingdocuments:Presentation“SummaryResultsonMembers’Reports”
Blue-FinanceBarbadosProject
Ms.AngeliqueBrathwaite(Barbados)sharedtheplansfortransformingtheBarbadosMarineManagedArea(BBMA)intoaworld-classdestinationtoexperiencemarinebiodiversity,andhighlightedthefocusonstrongstakeholderengagementintheplanningprocess.Theneedforsustainablefinancingwasacknowledgedattheonsetoftheproject,andworkingwithBlue-Finance
(BF),thepublic-privatepartnership(PPP)modelwasidentifiedasamechanismtohelpachievetheobjectives.
Mr.NicholasPascal(CRIOBE-Blue-Finance)elaboratedontheprogressoftheBFBarbadosProject,aninitiativefirstproposedduringthe28thICRIGM.Thedrivingforcebehindtheprojectwastherecognitionthatnewapproachesforsecuringsustainablefinancingwasrequired,andfocusedontheBMMAasthefirstdemonstrationsite,whereBFassistedwithsettingupthePPPnegotiations.Underthepartnershipagreement,theMinistryofEnvironmentandDrainageoutsourcethemanagementoftheBMMAtoanoperator,whowillabsorballfinancialrisksandreducetheneedtoinvestpublicfunds.Theoperatorwillgeneratestablerevenuesfromthetourism“fees”.Currently,BFissupportingzonationeffortswithintheBMMA,continuationPPParrangementandhelpingcoordinatefundraisingactivitieswithimpactinvestors.
Movingforward,theprojectislookingatinitiatingafeasibilitystudyinColombia,andinitiatingsimilarprojectsatoneCaribbeansiteandoneotherregionalseassite.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“BlueFinanceQuickUpdates”
KomodoNationalPark
Ms.TriWahyunifromtheMinistryofEnvironmentandForestry,Indonesia,presentedonwastemanagementstrategiespracticedwithinKomodoNationalPark,oneoftheimportantregionwithintheCoralTriangleandaUNESCOWorldHeritagesite.
Themaindrivingforcefortheprogramwastoaddressincreasedtourismpressuretothearea.The5-yearproject,initiatedin2014inpartnershipwithWWF,involveswiderangingstakeholderinvolvement.TheIntegratedWasteManagement(IWM)ProjectisaimedatacreatingamodelofsustainablewastemanagementwithinKomodoNationalPark(KNP),andstartedwithaninceptionstudybyWWFin2014.Movingforward,theprojectaimstoimprovecommunityopportunitiesandtheprivatesectortomanagewasteandbenefitsfromwastemanagementandadvocatinglocalgovernmenttoproducepolicytosupportwastereductionprograminManggaraiBarat.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“IntegratedWasteManagement(IWM):BuildingPartnershipforEffectiveManagementofKomodoNationalPark”
15YearsofIFRECOR
Mr.FrancisStaub(ICRIForum)sharedthatsinceitscreationin1999bytheFrenchgovernment,IFRECORworkedforthesustainableprotectionandthepreservationofcoralreefswithinFrance’sterritories,andcomprisesscientists,NGOs,socio-economicprofessionalsandparliamentarians.Mr.StaubhighlightedsomeofIFRICOR’spast,ongoingandfutureactivities,anddescribedthefourth2016-2020actionplanthatwillbeadoptedbythenationalcommitteeofIFRECORMarch2016.Thenewplanwillcontinueworkingonandenhancingpastworktotackleissuesrelatedsustainablemanagementofcoralreef,mangrovesandseagrass.
TheactivitiesorganizedincelebrationofIFRICOR’s15thAnniversaryincludedtheproductionofavideo,fundraisers,meetingsduringCOP21,publicationontheimpactofclimatechangeoninfrastructureincoastalandinter-tropicalmarinezones.
Mr.NicolasPascalfollowedupwithanupdateonIFRECOR’sprojectoneconomicvaluationofcoralreefecosystemservices,whichcovered10overseasterritoriesbetween2009and2015.UsingtheTEEBapproach,theproject,undertakenincollaborationbetweenfourresearchinstitutes,demonstratedtheroleofcoralreefintheeconomicdevelopmentofislands.Particularly,coralreefsgenerated€450Mtotheisland’sGDPeveryyear,withinvestmentsbyover700companiesandsupportingover20,000jobsdirectly.Coralreefsalsoprovidedover€600Mofcoastalprotectionservices,andcapturedovertwomilliontons(Mt)ofcarbondioxide,whilesupportingatotalstockofbetween40and60Mt.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“IFRECOR:15yearstowardcoralreefmanagement”
SecretariatReportsCaseStudiesbyWWFJapan
Ms.MasakoIwamoto(Japan)explainedthattherationalebehindthepreparationofthecasestudies,whichwasproposedduringthe29thICRIGM,wastohighlighttheimplementationofcoralreefconservationandmanagementthroughcommunity-basedapproachesthatemphasizedland-seaconnectivity.
Mr.MasayukiGonda(WWFJapan)sharedonlessonlearnedfromthecasestudies,whichwerecompiledfromeightmodelsiteslocatedinFiji,Indonesia,Japan,USA,Australia,Granada,MaldivesandThailand.
Thestudyidentifiedthreecommonsuccessindicatorsamongtheeightmodelsites,namely,theestablishmentoflocalcommunitybasedconservationinitiatives;activeandsustainedcommunityengagementtomainstreamactivitiesamonglocalstakeholders;andastrongscientificbasisforevaluatingprogressandsharingtheinformationwithlocalcommunitiesandgovernment.Inaddition,allstudieshighlightedthestrongemphasisofICM,andreinforcedtheneedtoestablishstrongstakeholderengagement,particularlytoleverageontraditionalusesoftheenvironment;theadoptionofadaptivemanagementthatconsidersbenefitofstakeholders;activeengagementofpolicymakerswithineachcommunity;andtheneedforstrongsciencethroughoutthelifeoftheproject.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“CaseStudies:FromRidgetoReef.Implementingcoralreefconservationandmanagementthroughacommunity-basedapproachemphasizingland-seaconnectivity”
ICRI20-YearReview
Mr.TadashiKimura,onbehalfoftheICRISecretariat,summarizedtheoutcomeofthedesktopreviewofICRI’s20-yearhistory,akeydeliverableofcurrent2014-2015ICRISecretariat.Mr.Kimura
explainedthatduetoadelayinthepreparation,theSecretariatwouldnotpresentthereportforadoptionatthe30thGM;instead,theSecretariatwilluploadthedraftreportonICRIForumsubsequentcommentsandinputsbymembersbeforeitsadoptionremotely.
ThemainobjectivesofthereviewaretoprepareacompilationofICRI’sachievements,andbasedonthecompilation;developaquestionnairesurveyforICRImemberstohelpimproveICRI’srelevanceandvalueforitsmembers.
Mr.KimuraprovidedahistoricaltimelineofICRI,themainactivities,andkeyoutputs,withthereviewfocusingspecificallyonkeydocuments,recommendations,resolutionsandpublications.ThereviewhighlightedtheimportantroleofICRIastheonlyinternationalframeworkofgovernmentsandnon-governmentalorganizationfocusingonmanagementofcoralreefsandrelatedecosystems.
Dr.CliveWilkinsonfollowedupwithanoverviewofthehistoryofGCRMN,akeyoperationalarmofICRI.Gleaningfromthelessonslearnedfromhisexperience,Dr.WilkinsonrecommendedthattheGCRMNshouldkeeppublishingregionalandglobalcoralreefstatusandtrendsakeyproductofthenetwork;includenumbers,statisticsorimpactfulstatementsthatwillsendclearmessages;continuetobuildandnurturepartnershipsnotcompetition;archivemetadataandsummarydata,notrawdata;andtokeepcommunicationwithinthenetworkopenandregular.Inessence,hesuggestedthattheGCRMNcaninitiate“ReefScientistssansFrontier”initiativetoleverageonthepoolofscientistskeenandabletocontributetoregionalandglobalefforts.
Supportingdocument: Presentation“20yearreviewofICRIactivities”
Presentation“CommentsonICRI,GCRMN,ClimateChange”
AdHocCommittees
ExistingAdHocCommitteesreportedontheirworksincethelastICRIGeneralMeetinginOctober2014.
CoralReefAssociatedFisheries
Mr.NicholasPascal(CRIOBE-Blue-Finance),onbehalfofthecommittee,providedanupdateonthecommittee’sactivitieswhichincludedthedisseminationofthetwoshortfilms“SnapperSpawn”and“SpawningAggregations-NaturalNumbers,Episode05”.Inaddition,thecommitteecontinuedtoprovideregularemailupdatesonfishaggregationstomembersandpartners.ThecommitteehascontinuedtoengageICRImemberstoencourageinformationsubmissiontoSCRFAFishAggregationDatabase,prepareddatasheetstohighlighttheimportanceoffishaggregationsforcoralreefhealth,andpublishedakeypaperFishandFisheries.
Supportingdocuments: Presentation“CoralReefAssociatedFisheries”
StatusReport“World’sFishAggregations2014”
Discussion:
- Ontheco-chair’squeryifthecommitteeintendstocontinueitswork,Ms.MakikoinformedmembersthattheToRforthecommitteeisactivetill2016,andthus,thecommitteeisexpectedtocontinueitsactivities.
AdhocCommitteeonEconomicValuation
Mr.NicholasPascal(CRIOBE-Blue-Finance)providedtheupdateonthecommittee’sactivitiesanditsstrategiesmovingforward.
Thecommitteerecognizesthatmanyothergroupsarealreadyengagedineconomicvaluationefforts,andthesuggestedthattheitsroleshouldtransitionfromundertakingeconomicvaluationstudiestofocusingoncommunicatingandraisingawarenessontheeconomicbenefitsofcoralreefsanditspositiveeconomicreturnsasapublicinvestment.Inaddition,thecommitteeshouldworktoencouragecountriestoapplyconcretemitigationstrategiesandtoprovideadvicetocountrieswishingtosetupalegalframeworktoencourageprivatefundingforcoastalmanagement.TheseactivitiesareinlinewithAichitargets2,10and20.
Todate,thecommitteehasfocusedondisseminatinginformationoncoralreefeconomicvaluationpolicybriefssupportandpresentationsatevents,andcoordinatedinformationonrelevantinternationalandregionalinitiatives.WorkinginclosecollaborationwithIFRECOR,thecommitteeconductedatrainingworkshopontheeconomicsofecosystemandbiodiversity(TEEB)ofcoralreefintheWiderCaribbean;producedguidelinesformitigationofdamagesandcompensationschemes;andtwotechnicalbriefsonecosystemservicesvaluationtopolicymakersandemergingfinancingmechanismsandtheirpotentialtocontributetolong-termconservationfinancing.
TheAHCoperatewithtwoseparatearms–onefocusedoncommunicationanddisseminationofinformationandtheotherfocusedonpreparationofguidelinesandtechnicalbriefs.
TheToRforthecommitteeremainsactivetill2016.
Supportingdocuments: Presentation“AdHocCommitteeonEconomicValuation”
RegionalLionfishCommittee
Ms.AngeliqueBrathwaite(Barbados)gaveabriefsummaryofactivitiesonbehalfofthecommittee,andsharedthatthepurposedofthelionfishmanagementworkshopconductedinPanamainNovember2015wastobringtogetherkeyresourcemanagers,fishermenanddecisionmakerstoshareinformationandlessonslearnedfromsuccessfullyimplementedlocalornationalstrategies.Thethematicworkshopfocusedonidentifyingbestmanagementtoolsandeffectivemethodstoeradicatelionfish,effectivemanagementstrategiesandpoliciesandraisingawarenessamongstakeholders.
Onekeyrecommendationarisingfromtheworkshopwastheneedtocreateofeconomicincentivestomaintaininterestamongfishermenanddivingoperatorstocontinuewithlionfisheradication
activities.Thecommitteealsoacknowledgedtheneedtoincreaseoutreachandeducationalactivitiesandtostandardizesocio-economicmethodsandpromotesustainableandresponsiblefisheriesbyusingpurposebuilttrapsthatonlytargetlionfishaskeyupcomingactivities.
Movingforward,thecommitteesuggestedthatitsfocuscanbeexpandedfromsolelyfocusingonlionfishtoincludeabroaderspectrumofinvasivespecies,andpreparedarevisedToRtocommunicatethisnewdirection.
Supportingdocument:
EnforcementandInvestigation(CoralReefCSI)
Mr.DavidGulko(Hawaii),leadfortheEnforcement&InvestigationCommittee,presentedontheproposedICRICoralEcologicalCharacterizationTool,whichwasadaptedfromtheexistingtoolusedinHawaiitoprovideameanstoevaluatethefunctionalorservicevalueofcoralsthatcanbeusedindecisionsregardingcostsandeffectivenessoftransplantingorrestorationversuscompensatorymitigationmeasures.
Mr.Gulkosummarizedthemetricsunderpinningtheecologicalcoralvaluationtoolandconductedawalk-throughofthetoolinExcel,whichhasbeendevelopedtoevaluatetheecologicalvalueforanycoralreefsystemanywhereintheworld.Heencouragedmemberstotestthetoolandprovidefeedbackforitsenhancement.
ThecommitteerecommendedcontinuingitsactivitiesbasedontheexistingToRwhichcoverthedevelopmentofMPAenforcementandcompliancestandards,providingtrainingforICRImembersandotherstakeholdersandthedevelopmentofvaluationtoolstoassesslostinecosystemsservices.
Supportingdocument: Presentation“EnforcementandInvestigation”
Excelspreadsheet“ICRICoralEcologicalCharacterizationTool”
GCRMNUpdate
RecapofagreementsfromGM29
Mr.JerkerTamelander(UNEP)gaveabriefrecapoftheGCRMNworkinggroup(WG)meetingatGM29,whereGCRMN’sprimarypurpose,herobjectivesandactivitiestowardsachievingtheseobjectiveswerediscussed,aswellastheneedsandrequirementsforglobalcoordination,scientificdirectionandstrengtheningofthenetwork.TheWGconcurredthatGCRMN’smainsubstantiveactivitycontinuestobethepreparationofglobalandregionalstatusreports,withtheCaribbeanreportprovidingatemplateforsubsequentreporting.Theneedtoestablishcommonprincipalsandmaintainthenetwork’scohesivenessandindependencewasalsohighlighted.
Severalpriorityactionswereproposed,includingthepreparationofaguidancedocumentforpreparingGCRMNregionalreportswhichiscurrentlybeingdevelopedbyDr.JeremyJackson.However,limitedprogresshasbeenmadeontheotheridentifiedpriorityactions,includingthe
preparationof“job-scopes”foraglobalcoordinatorandsciencedirector;mappingaprocessfortransitioningGCRMNtoanewinstitutionalstructure;developmentofaregionalreportfortheEastPacific;initiationdiscussionsinotherregions;andIdentifyingfocalpointsinallregions,wherepossiblethroughprocessestowardsthepreparationofregionalreports.
Supportingdocument: Nil
GuidanceforRegionalReportingPreparationProcess
Dr.JeremyJackson(ScrippsInstitutionofOceanography,SmithsonianInstitutionandGCRMN),providedanupdateonthepreparationoftheguidancedocumentforregionalreporting,whichiscurrentlybeingdrafted.
Dr.JacksonreiteratedthatthepurposeofGCRMNreportsistoproviderigorousscientificassessmentsofthechangingconditionofcoralreefecosystemsandprovideactionablerecommendationsformanagementandpolicy.Thereportsshouldthuscreateastandardizedinventoryanddatabaseforthekindsandqualityofbiologicalandenvironmentaldata;analyzethestatusandtrendsofreefpopulationsandenvironmentsandassessthemultiplefactorspotentiallyresponsibleforchangesinreefconditions;makepolicyrecommendationsbasedonthescientificfindings;andstriveforinclusivenessinstrengtheningregionalnetworks.
ThekeylessonslearnedfromthepreparationoftheCaribbeanreportweretheneed:
- forproperplanninganddevelopment,headedbyastrongleadwithstrongscientificbackgroundandtheformulationofdatasharingagreements
- torecognizecostsassociatedwiththeprocess–mantime,datamanagement,workshops,etc.-andaddressfundingneedsforthedurationoftheproject
- toidentifyessentialdatatypesandscreeningofdataforqualityandusability- fordatamanagementandsharing- forrobustdataanalysis,interpretationandpresentationoffacts/trendsasabasis- forinclusivereportpreparation- forwell-plannedandengagedlaunchandoutreachactivities- toensureimpactandlegacy
Supportingdocument:“GuidelinesforthedevelopmentofregionalGCRMNreports”
StatusUpdateonRegionalReportingfortheEasternTropicalTropicsandWestIndianOcean
Mr.JerkerTamelander(UNEP)sharedthatEasternTropicalPacificregionhasalonghistoryofresearchandmonitoringwithsomedatasetsgoingbacktothe1960s,buthadnotpreviouslyundertakenacomprehensivecoralreefanalysis.TherecentlysubmittedproposaltoCPPS/LimaConventionCoPwillallowtheregiontoinitiateaprojecttocompilingacompletebibliographyondatafromtheregionandworktowardspreparationofaregionalreportfollowingtheCaribbeanreportmodel.
FortheWesternIndianOcean,theregionalreportprocesswasinitiatedin2014throughEUfundedprojectsandimplementedthroughtheIndianOceanCommission(COI).Todate,aninventoryofnationalmonitoringdatahasbeencreatedwithworkshopsandexpertmeetingsorganisedin2015toanalysedataandpreparethereport,whichisplannedforcompletioninthefirsthalfof2016forlaunchatICRS2016inHawaii.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“GCRMNEasternTropicalPacificandWIO”
GCRMNCaribbeanReport
Ms.AngeliqueBrathwaite(Barbados)sharedthatsincethelastmeetinginOct2015,asteeringcommitteehasbeensetupcomprising12members,andwithsupportfromtheFrenchgovernment,UNEP-CEPandUNEPcoralreefunit.
Thecommitteeiscurrentlyfocusingonmonitoringactivities,includingstreamliningmonitoringguidelinesandtestingthem.Awiderangeofdatawasidentifiedforcollection,anddiscussionsareongoingonhowtocollectandanalysethem.Threelevelsformonitoringareplanned–highlyrecommended(mostrigorous),recommended(basic)andminimumstandards(entry-level).Areviewonexistingdatabasesintheregionwillbeundertakenthatwillformthebasisforthedevelopmentofaregionaldatabase.
2016plansincludeagreementonsoc-economicandecologicalguidelines;trainingworkshop(JamaicaApril2016);communicationplanformethodsandapproaches,andpromotionofnational“buyin”fortheguidelinesviatheSPAWCoP2016;supportbiophysicalmonitoringatonesite(Venezuela);submissionofabstractatICRS2016.
ENSOandBleaching
DrMarkEakin(NOAA)presentedanoverviewofthe2014-2016coralbleachingreportandoutlook,includingthe2015-2016ElNinoevent.
Dr.Eakinsummarizedthetimelinefortheevent,whichstartedinJune2014inthecentralpacificandCaribbean,withbleachingaffectingreefsinthesouthandeasternPacificinthefirsthalfof2015,with100%bleachingreportedonsomearea.BleachingintheIndianOceanwasalsorecordedinthefirsthalfof2015,althoughnotassevereasthePacific.Inthe2ndhalfof2015,bleachingintheCentralPacificandCaribbeanintensified,withsomeareasreportingsignificantmortality(e.g.,Kiribati).Overall,bleachingin2015particularlysevereinHawaii,withwidespreadbleachingintheCaribbean.Sofar,30%ofreefsglobalexposedtoAlertlevel1or2.Currently,bleachingstresshasbeensuppressedduetothetyphoonsandmonsoons,butsomeelevatedSSTisbeingreportedintheCTregion.
ThecurrentElNinoisconsideredthestrongestrecorded,andlikelytosurpassthe1998event.ElNinoforecastexpectedtocontinueinto2016,beforetaperingofflaterin2016.Modelpredictionsforlaterpastof2016arenotdefinite.Currentdataindicateover80%certaintythat2015willbewarmestyearonrecord,duetocontinuedincreaseinoceanheatcontent.
BleachingriskthroughMarch2016islowforCaribbeanbuthighincentralandeasternPacificaswellasAustralia,andsouthernIndianOcean.BleachingriskfromApriltoJune2016suggestthatextensivebleachingislikelytoreturntotheIndianOcean,SoutheastAsiaandtheCaribbean,withsubstantialbleachingintheCaribbeanextendingtothelatterhalfof2016.The2016bleachingexpectedtobebad,affectingdifferentregionsatdifferenttimes,andNOAAappealedforICRImemberstosubmitbleachingobservationstoitscoralwatchprogram.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“2014-16CoralBleachingReport&Outlook(including2015-16ElNiño)”
AWorldwithoutReefs?ResponsetoGCBE3
Dr.GregorHodgson(ReefCheckFoundation)highlightedthecontributionsofDrJeremyJacksonandDrCliveWilkinson,inpushingthecoralreefagendaoverthelastfewdecades.Heencouragedmemberstorespondmoreaggressivelytoaddresschangingreefconditions,particularlytoencouragegovernmentstoinvestmoreresourcesinaddressingtheissues.Hehighlightedtheneedtoimprovingmonitoringprograms,sothattheyaremorecomprehensive.
The3rdglobalcoralbleachingeventisoccurring,andmoreeffortneedstobecommittedtotrackingmanagementaction,includinglookingintogeneticsolutionstomanagement.Withpredictedseverebleachingin2016,Dr.HodgsonhasbeeninvolvedineffortstolobbyandpushthecoralreefagendaatCOP21inParis.
Despitethecurrentbodyofavailableinformation,thereisstillalackofknowledgeonthestatusofglobalreefs,althoughthegeneraltrendindeclineisapparent.Thereisthereforeaneedtoimprovemonitoringandtrackmanagementactions,promotenetworkingamongmonitoringunits,andgeneratesustainablefundingforlong-termmonitoring.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“AWorldwithoutReefs?ResponsetoGCBE3”
LocalProtectionandGovernance
DrJeremyJackson(ScrippsInstitutionofOceanography,SmithsonianInstitutionandGCRMN),gaveabriefoverviewoftheconclusionsarisingfromthe2004GCRMNCaribbeanreport,whichhighlightedtheneedforstronglocalprotectiontohelpusbuytimeasweworktowardsfindingconcretesolutions.
Long-termdataindicatethatcoralcoverintheCaribbeanhastaperedsincethemassivedieoffinthe1970’s,promptingthequestionthatiflocalstressorshavebeenthemajordriversofcoraldeclineup,thenweshouldbeabletopredictgeographicvariabilityincoralcoverbasedonlysocio-economicindicatorsastheultimatedriversoflocalstress.Totestthis,astudywasundertakentoscoreCaribbeanlocationswithlong-termdatabaseduponstandardmetricsofgovernance,wealth,populationdensityandeffectivenessoffisheriesregulationsandconductedaPrincipalComponentsAnalysis(PCA)ofthelocationsbasedonthesefourfactors.
Thestudyshowedthemannerinwhichnationsgovernthemselves,thepopulationdensities,andwealtharemajordeterminantsofreefhealth,andtherefore,actionstoreducelocalstressshouldhelptoprotectand/orrestoredegradedreefs.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“Coralcover,localstressandglobalclimatechange”
2. RegionalInitiatives
UNEPCoralReefPartnership/RegionalSeas
JerkerTamelander(UNEP)presentedabriefoverviewoftheglobalpartnershipthatmobilizesUNEP,RegionalSeasandotherpartnersinactionstoincreaseuseoftheecosystemapproachtosustainecosystemservices,usingcoralreefsasaflagshipandindicatorsystem.
UNEPsupportstheincreaseduseoftheecosystemapproachestosustainecosystemservices,usingcoralreefsasaflagshipandindicatorsystem,andworkingthroughthenetworkofglobaltechnicalpartnerstodevelopandexchangeapproaches,toolsandpolicyframeworks.
Focushasbeenonresilience,valuationofecosystemservices,dataandinformationmanagementforEBMandinstitutionalsupportandoutreachprogram.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“UNEPCoralReefPartnership/RegionalSeas”
PERSGA
PERSGA,theregionalorganizationfortheconservationoftheenvironmentoftheRedSeaandGulfofAden,hasprogressedonits1982RegionalActionPlan,withactivitiesfocusingassessmentofcoastal-marineenvironment,thedevelopmentofguidelinesforsustainableresourcemanagement,thepromotionofthelegalbasisforcooperativeeffortsandsupportinginstitutionalmechanism.In2005,theorganizationpreparedthereport“ProtocolConcerningtheConservationofBiologicalDiversityandtheEstablishmentofnetworkofProtectedAreasintheRedSeaandGulfofAden”,whichfocusesprimarilyontheconservationofthecoralreefsalongPERSGAregion.Sincethen,eightMPAs,allcontainingcoralreefs,havebeendeclared,withanotherfourproposed.
In2011,anMoUforcooperationamongportstatecontrolwasestablished,followedbyanMoUforcooperationinfisheriesmanagement&aquaculturein2014-2015.
PERSGAhasalsoinitiatedactivitiestofacilitatetheregiontomeetvariousAichitargets,focussingoncapacitybuildingprogramstomainstreambiodiversity,promotesustainablefisheries,reduceinvasivespecies,minimizereeflossandrestoreecosystems,reducepollution,andincreasethenetworkofMPAs.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“PERSGA’smissionandregionalinitiativesinregardtoconservationofCoralReefsoftheRedSea&GulfofAden”
GlobalDevelopmentandEnvironmentalPolicyLandscape
JerkerTamelander(UNEP)notedthatICRI,GCRMNandherpartnershavealonghistoryinmeasuringandusingcoralreefindicators,andrecommendedthatthenetworkconsiderpromotingtheuseofreefrelatedindicatorsintheSDGindicatorframework,particularlyunderGoal14,wherecurrentindicatorsfocusmoreongovernancethanonstateofthemarineandcoastalenvironment
WithregardstoUNEA,hesuggestedthatICRImembersmayconsiderprovidinginputsoncoralreefstoUNEA-2andinthedevelopmentofresolutions.Inaddition,theICRIGMmayalsoconsiderprovidinginformation,guidanceorrecommendationsinthisregardtoitsmembership.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“2030DevelopmentAgendaandtheSDGs”
3. TechnicalWorkshoponMPAManagement
Mr.PhongsuwansharedthatthetechnicalworkshoponMPAmanagementwasbyproposedbythe2014-2015Japan-ThailandICRISecretariattofacilitatesharingoncasestudiesandlessonsonMPAmanagementamongresourcemanagers.Inaddition,theworkshopintroducedtheapplicationofMarineSpatialPlanning(MSP)asatooltofacilitatemarineandcoastalmanagement,includingitsroleinMPAmanagement.
Heintroducedthechairforthesession,DrHughKirkman,whohasanillustriousacademiccareerbeforejoiningUNEPheadCOBSEAandmanageGEFprojects.
MPAManagementandMarineSpatialPlanningatRegionalandGlobalLevels
Theopeningpresentation,givenbythesessionchair,Dr.HughKirkman,focusedonmarinespatialplanning(MSP)andecosystem-basedmanagement(EBM),whichshouldnotbeconfusedwithmaritimespatialplanning,whichistheusualapproachbygovernmentstodevelopplanstobettercoordinatethevariousmarineactivities,ensuringtheyareasefficientandsustainableaspossible.However,thatframeworkisnotcomprehensivefromanecosystemperspectiveduetoalackofintegratedgovernancelinkinghumanactivitiestoenvironmentalmanagementthatseldomincludedconservationofmarineecosystems.Thisisfurtheracerbatedbytheincreaseincoastaldevelopmentaroundtheworld,whichinadvertentlyleadstotrade-offsbetweenresourceexploitationandecosystemservices.Examplesfromtheoilandgasindustries,installationofwindfarms,marinepollutionandindustrialdevelopmentalongcoastlinesillustratehowsuchtrade-offs,withoutthebenefitofEBMintegratedontothespatialplanningframework,haveledtothedemiseofmanycoastalandmarineecosystemstheworldover.
ResourcesmanagersandthewiderconservationcommunitythusneedtoworktoengageindustrialstakeholdersinEBMbylearningandusingthelanguageofindustry,usingcasestudiestodemonstratehowprivatesectorengagementcanbeachieved,andbyshowinghowEBMincreasesmanagementefficiencyandpotentialprofitability.
Onestrategytoaddressthisistomakecollaborativegovernanceandintegratedmanagementsynonymous,whichemphasizedinteractionsamongmultiplebiophysicalandhumandrivers.ThisisthekeyprincipalunderpinningMSP,whichfocusesonmanagingmultipleuseconflictswiththeecosystemstheyinteractwithdirectlyorindirectly.TheDPSIR(Drivers,Pressures,State,Impacts,Responses)modelisausefultoolinMSPthatcanbeadaptedandappliedforecosystemmanagement,assessment,indicatorselection,andcommunication.TherearemanygoodexamplesofMSPinaction,calledassuchorreferredtobyotherterms,fromtheEU,EastAsiaandSoutheastAsia,whichillustratehowintegratedapproachesthatincludesEBMcanbenefitallstakeholders
whilemaintainingecosystemintegrity.ThegoalisforathirdofthetotalareaoftheEEZsoftheworldtohaveapprovedMSPframeworksby2025.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“MarineSpatialPlanningandEcosystem-BasedManagement”
EffectiveApproachesforGoverningMarineandCoastalAreas–ACaseforKohTao
ConflictinginterestsamongusersontheislandofKohTao(KT)necessitatedthedevelopmentofnewapproachestounderstandandaddresstheseissues,andDr.SuvaluckSathumanusphan,fromMahidolUniversity,presentedthebasisofastudythatlookedintothesystemofgovernanceinKohTaotoidentifytheprincipleschallengesforachievingthesustainableuseoftheisland’smarineandcoastalresources.
Onekeyoutcomeofthestudywastoacknowledgethatgovernanceismorethangovernment;instead,itinvolvesthe“interactionofgovernmentandthegoverned”,andiseffectivelythesumtotalofinfluenceoverhumanexertednotonlybythegovernment,butalsobydiverseinstitutionsthatencompasspolitical,economic,religious,social,media,educationandotherstructures.
Naturalresourcegovernanceisthustheinteractionofthegovernmentanditscitizenstomakeandimplementdecisionsaffectingnaturalresourcesandnaturalresourceusers,andshouldbebasedontheprincipalsofaccountability,participation,transparency,ruleoflaw/predictabilityandaccesstojustice.Governanceshouldbeadaptivewithfeedbackloopsthatallowreviewandrevisionstostrengththeprocess.
TheKohTaostudy,whichwasbasedonacomprehensivelegislativereviewandquestionnairesurveys,showedthatrespondentsprioritizedpublicutilityissuesasaprecursorofenvironmentaldecline.Thestudyalsohighlightedalackofintegrationandcoordination,alimitationtoinformationdisseminationandcommunicationandtheuncertaintyassociatedwithpublicparticipation.
Movingforward,thestudyidentifiedthatforKohTaotoachievesustainablemanagementofmarineandcoastalresources,thereneedstobeeffortsneedtoenhancetheknowledgeofresponsibleorganizations,improvethequalityoftheinformationanditsdissemination,encouragemoreengagedofpublicparticipation,enforceequitablelegislationandcommunicateopenlyandhonestlyparticularlywhenaddressingproblemsorcomplaints.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“Effectiveapproachesforgoverningmarineandcoastalareas-acaseofKohTao”
MPAManagementinThailand
Dr.AnuwatNateewathanafromtheDepartmentofMarineandCoastalResources,explainedthatThailandhasalwaysprioritizedmarineandcoastalecosystemprotection,althoughthedecisiontoimplementmarineprotectedareas(MPAs)accordingtointernationalguidelineswasonlyconcretizedin2004,afterrecognizingthatMPAsareusefultoolsforachievingtheconservationandsustainableuseoftheKingdom’sbiodiversity.ThailandsubsequentlyadoptedthesixIUCN
categoriesforMPAs,whichrangeinprotectionfromstrictnaturereservestomoreintensivelymanagedresourceareas.
Thailand’sMPAsframeworkcomprisethreegeneralcategories;areasmanagedforsustainableuse,whichmayallowextractiveuses;areaswhereextractiveusesareexcludedandothersignificanthumanpressuresminimized(no-take),andgeneralareascoveringoverthewidermarineandcoastalenvironmentunderasustainablemanagementframework.
TostrengthenThailand’smarineandcoastalecosystemmanagement,aNationalAdvisoryBoardonProtectedAreas(includingMPAs)wasestablishedin2011,andworkingwithrelevantgovernmentandnon-governmentstakeholders,promulgatedtheMarineandCoastalResourcesManagementPromotionAct,whichwasenactedinJune2015,asatoolforestablishmentandmanagementofMPAsinThailand.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“MarineProtectedAreasManagementinThailand”
Questionsfromthefloor:
- Dr.AbdulRahimGorYaman(Malaysia)askedifthenewactisavailableinEnglish,andMr.PhongsuwanclarifiedthattheActiscurrentlybeingtranslatedandwillbemadeavailableontheDMCRwebsite.
- Dr.VoSiTuan(Vietnam)askedhowMSPaddressesland-basedsourcesofpollution,andiftherewasadifferencewiththeICMapproach.Dr.KirkmanagreedthattherearemanysimilaritiesbetweenMSPandICM,andperhapsitismoreacaseofdefinitionandsemantic.Mr.JerkerTamelander(UNEP)addedthatMSPshouldbeviewedasatoolusedforaplanning,whichisalsoapartoftheICMframework.
- Ms.MargaretVakalalabure(Fiji)concurredwiththesecondpresentationthatcommunicationandinclusivenessarekeyinreachingouttolocalcommunities,asseenFiji’sexperienceaswell,andtimeinvestedinengagingthemwillpaydividendsinthelong-run.Inaddition,sheopinedthatthebottom-upapproachescanbesometimesbemoreeffectiveinrealizingchangeinthelong-runthantraditionaltop-downapproaches.Dr.Sathumanasphanaddedthatapproachesshouldbetailoredtomeettheuniquesocial,ecologicalandpoliticalrealitiesofeachlocalarea,andthiswillrequiretimeinvestedtounderstandthesituationonthegroundandbuildsystemsthatreflectandbuildonthem.
MPAManagement–ACaseStudyfromKohTao
FollowingonfromtheearlierpresentationbyDr.Satumanasphan,Dr.SakananPlathong,fromthePrinceofSongklaUniversity,sharedontheissuesrelatedtothemanagementofKohTao(KT),particularlyduetotheintensivecoastaldevelopmenttomeettheheavytourismdemands,resultinginmultipleimpactsthatdamagedvastcoralreefareas.
Thecoralreefparticipatorymanagementframeworkwasusedtoidentifyissuesanddevelopeffectivemanagementinterventions,whichleveragedstronglyonpublicparticipationinnaturalresourcesmanagement,andthisiscommunicatedinthereport“StrategicPlan:IntegratedMarine
andCoastalResourcesManagementofKohTao”.Inaddition,MSPwasusedstrengthenandstreamlineexistingzoningandmanagementplans.
Thestudyidentifiedseveralstrengthsandopportunitiesthatallowedthedevelopmentofaneffectivemanagementstrategy,particularlysupportaffordedbylocalcommunitiestopromotenaturalresourcesconservation.However,thestudyalsorecognizedlimitationrelatedtolackoftechnicalcapacityandmanpoweramongmanagementagencies,sustainablefinancing,ineffectivelawsandregulations,andmanagingtheecologicalcarryingcapacityrelatedtotouristsnumbers.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“ManagementofCoralReefofKohTao.”
Questionsfromthefloor:
- Ms.AngeliqueBrathwaite(Barbados)askedifthegovernmentviewedthe“communityagreement”inapositiveway,andMr.Plathongexplainedthatittooktimetogetsupportandrequiredactiveengagementamongallstakeholders.
- Mr.NicolasPascal(France)askedaboutthefinancialsustainabilitymechanismforKT,andMr.Plathongclarifiedthatfundingisprovidedbythecentralgovernmentandisalsosupplementbylocalprograms.
MPAManagement–ACaseStudyfromKohChang
Dr.ThamasakYeemin,fromtheRamkamhaengUniversity,presentedthecasestudyandlessonslearnedfromKohChang(KC),whichwasselectedaregionaldemonstrationsiteforcoralreefmanagementundertheUNEP-GEFproject.
TherewasrecognitionthatthecoralreefsofKC,likemanyotherrecreationalislandswithheavytourismimpacts,sufferedfromsedimentation,unregulateddivingandillegalfishing,whichwerefurtherexacerbatedbybleachingeventandstorms.
Acausalchainstudywasundertakentoidentifytherootcausesofimpacts,focusingprimarilyonactivitiesthatincreasedpublicawarenessandeducation;enhancingnetworkingamongagenciesandstakeholders;assessedtourismcarrycapacityandinstallationofmooringbuoys;increasedcapacitybuilding;promotedsustainablelivelihoods;andimprovedsitemanagementtosupportcoralreefrehabilitation.OutcomesfromthestudywasusedtodevelopasustainableecotourismprogramforKC.
Theprojectshowedthebenefitsofeffectivecollaborationbetweenscientists,localcommunitiesandlocalgovernmentofficialstointegratescientificdataintopolicyandadaptationpractices.Inaddition,aspartofthereefrehabilitationprogram,theprojectfoundthatartificialreefsitescanbeusedtosupportecotourismandserveasalivinglaboratoriesforstudents.Finally,theprojectacknowledgedthatcapacitybuilding,publicawarenessandeducationthroughdisseminatingprintedmaterialsandtrainingcourses,workshopsandseminarsforstakeholders,youth,studentsandlocalgovernmentofficialscanenhanceresilienceincoastalcommunities.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“MPAManagement–ACaseStudyfromKohChang,aregionaldemonstrationsiteforcoralreefmanagement”
Questionsfromthefloor:
- DrMarkEakin(NOAA)askedifanycitizen-sciencetypeprogramshavebeenimplemented,e.g.,reportingbleachingobservations.Dr.Thamasakclarifiedthatcurrently,onlyMarineParkofficersareinvolvedinrecordingandreportingincidences,butagreesthatacitizenscienceprogramwillbebeneficialandwillsuggestthattheteamlookintoitsfeasibility.
- Ms.IngeYangesa(Indonesia)askedhowillegalfishingismanagedinKCtoensurethatlivelihoodsarenotaffectedwhileensuringhabitatprotection.Dr.ThamasakexplainedthatinKC,themainimpactwasrelatedtogeartype,whichwasaddressedbyprovidingthefishermenwithalternativegearaddressedbyprovidingthefishermenwithalternativegearandtrainingonhowtousethem,allfundedthroughtheprojectandsupportfromthecentralgovernment.
- Dr.CliveWilkinson(Australia)askedifthefocusofthecoraltransplantationprogramhadshiftedfromscientist-ledrehabilitationtocommunityparticipation-typeprograms,andifbleachingresistantcoralsareconsideredintheprograms.Dr.Thamasakexplainedthatbothtypesofprogramsareimplemented,andthateffortsarenowbeingfocusedonresilientspeciesselectionfortransplantationfollowingthedemiseofmostofthetransplantsafterthelastbleachingeventin2010.
- Mr.JerkerTamalander(UNEP)suggestedthattomanagedivingimpacts,theMPmanagementcanconsiderintroducingtheGreenFinsprogramtothediveoperators.Mr.PhongsuwansharedthattrainingfortheGreenFinsandReefWatchprogramswereconductedpreviously.
MPAandEcoregionintheAndamanSea
Dr.PetchManoprawitr,DeputyoftheIUCNSoutheastAsiaGroup,presentedoneffortstoenhanceecosystemresiliencethroughthedevelopmentofMPAnetworkandMSPinThailand’sAndamanSeaarea.
TheAndamanSeahosts17nationalmarineparks,3non-huntingareasand1biospherereserve,andprotects62%ofcoralareas,41%ofseagrassbedsand20%ofmangroves.However,the2010globalbleachingeventresultedinextensivecoralmortalitywithinmanyreefsarea,butaffecteddifferentareasdifferently.Withrisingseasurfacetemperatures(SSTs)expectedtobecomethenewnormal,thequestiononhowtomanagereefsandincreaseresiliencewereraised,andeffortsweremadetoanalyzebleachingpatternsacrossAndamanbioregiontoidentifyresistantandfastrecoverycommunities.
Aprojectwasinitiatedtodevelopresilienceindicatorsandtodevelopanassessmentindextoevaluatetheresiliencepotentialofreefsites.
Theobjectivesoftheresilienceassessmentindexaretoguidemanagementbyaidingzoningplanning,addressingland-basedandvessel-basedpollutionandraisingawarenessandtourismoutreach.Theprojectidentifiedtheimportanceofsystematicspatialplanningtoenhanceecosystemresilience,whichshouldberepresentativeoftheareaandreplicable,includeidentifiedcriticalhabitats,andtheincorporationofothertypesofMarineManagedAreasintoconservationplanning.
Understandingregionalconnectivitywasalsorecognizedasanimportantaspectoftheresilienceplanning,andtrans-boundarydialoguebetweenThailandandMyanmarisrequiredtoaddressthelargerresiliencequestionwithintheAndamanregion.
Theprojectindentifiedgapsinknowledgethatcouldbeaddressedinmoredetailthroughmorespecificprojects,includingconnectivityassessmentandtheidentificationofsourceareas,understandingcoralsizeclasses,fishcommunitystructureandherbivorywithinreefsandmanagementeffectivenessofMPAstoaddressresilience.
Inaddition,currentMPAsystemsshouldbecomplimentedbydevelopmentofcommunity-basedMPAsorLocallyManagedMarineAreas(LMMAs)toenhanceconnectivityofcoastalhabitat,near-shoreandoffshorehabitatsbetweenformalMPAs.ThiscanleadtooptimalMPAnetworkdesignforAndamanseaarea.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“BuildingecosystemresiliencethroughthedevelopmentofMPAnetworkandMarineSpatialPlanninginThailand’sAndamanSea”
CommunitiesofSeaGypsiesinRelationtoMarineandCoastalManagement
Dr.NarumonArunotaifromChulalongkornUniversitypresentedthesocialscienceaspectofmarineandcoastalmanagement.Dr.Arunotaipromotestheincorporationofsocio-scienceinthecreationofmarineprotectingareas,whichtendtobeecosystems-focused.Thereisaneedtocoupletheprotectionofcoralreefsandrelatedecosystemswiththeprotectionofthepeoplewhotraditionallyusedandoftentimes“wisely”,andineffect,protectedthem.TheMokenorseagypsieshavelivedanddependedontheresourceswithintheAndamanSeaforcenturiesandhavealwayslivedasindependentandfree-movingcommunities.
TostrengthenmarineandcoastalmanagementinThailandandtheregion,programsneedtobemoreinclusive.Thereisaneedtoreconsiderorexpandthemeaningof“protection”sothatitisnotprohibition-focused,butinsteadshouldbeopeneduptowiderparticipationandacceptance,enablinglocalcommunitiestodevelopareasandformsofprotectionthroughsocialmeansandbasedonculturalstrengths.Thiscanbeachievedbymovingawayfromatop-downdesignationorestablishmentofMPAstowardsabottom-upandparticipatoryapproachthatisprocessinsteadofgoaloriented.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“Seaofhope:connectinglocalfishingcommunitieswithMPAs”
Questionsfromthefloor:
- DrGregHodgson(USA)suggestedthattheuseofLMMAandMMAcanbeusedregionallyinsteadofMPA.
CaseStudyonMPAManagementfromCambodia
Mr.KimSokha,theheadofMarineFisheriesConservationDivisionoftheFisheriesAdministration,Cambodia,sharedonCambodia’sjourneyinestablishingCambodia’sfirstMPAinKohRong,covering40,000haandincludesthreecommunityfisheriesareas.
TheMPAwasestablishedincollaborationwithFFI,SongSaaFoundationandfundedbyvariouscountriesandagencies,withtheaimmeetCambodia’s10-yearstrategictarget,aswellasencouragesustainablemanagementoftheresourceswithinthearea.Theprojectadoptedastrongparticipatoryapproach,engaginglocalcommunitiesattheearlystagesoftheprocesstogettheirsupportandbuy-in.Thiswascomplementedbysocialandecologicalsurveystoprovidethenecessarydataandinformationtoguidetheformulationofthemanagementplan.
Movingforward,long-termhabitatmonitoringandevaluationprogramsarebeingimplementedincollaborationwithFFIandotherstakeholders.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“EstablishingCambodia’sFirstMPA-theStorySoFar”
Questionsfromthefloor:
- Dr.HughKirkman(Australia)enquirediftheareaisanMPAorFisheriesManagementArea,andMr.Sokhaexplainedthatbasedoninternationalterminology,theareaisconsideredasaMPAbutiscalledbyadifferentnameunderCambodianlaw,althoughtheobjectivesaresimilar.
- Mr.KeeAlfianaskediftheplannedmonitoringprogramincludesotherassociatedecosystems,andMs.Westexplainedthattheprogramwillincludeseagrassareas.
CaseStudyonMPAManagementfromCuba
Ms.AylemHernendezAvilaandMs.JuliettGonzalezMendezfromtheNationalCenterofProtectedAreasofCuba,presentedonthemainmanagementandplanningresultsfromCuba’sexperienceinmanagingMPAs.
TheysharedthatthearchipelagoandtheinsularshelfofCubacoversanareaof110,922km2,with360,000km2ofterritorialwaters.NumerouslegalinstrumentsprovidethelegalframeworkforInsituconservationandmanagementofCuba’sNationalSystemofProtectedAreas(SNAP),whichiscoordinatedatthreedifferentlevels,andtakesguidancefromtheNationalSystemPlan.UnderSNAP,211ProtectedAreashavebeenidentified,ofwhich104areMPAscoveringanareaof3,304,276.88hectares,andaccountingforover91%ofthetotalprotectedareascoverage.
Inaddition,CubahasinitiatedaprogramonimplementingaregionalapproachtothemanagementofmarineandcoastalarchipelagosinprotectedareassouthofCuba,withtheaimtoconservemarinebiodiversityandpromotesustainablyusedthroughanextended,strengthenedandintegratednetworkofcoastalandmarineprotectedareasintheSouthernArchipelagosregion.Theprogramcoreactivitiesincludeafocusonenvironmentaleducation,communicationandparticipation;studiesoneconomicvaluationofecosystemservicesandhumanwelfarewithinMPAs;sustainablefisheriesandtourismwithinMPAs;administrativestrengtheningofMPAs;
implementationofbiodiversitymonitoringsystems;thecontrolofalieninvasivespecies;andtheestablishmentofnurseriesforcoralreefrestorationwithintheMPAs.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“MarineProtectedAreasinCuba:Mainmanagementandplanningresults”
4. MeetingOutcomes
Ms.MakikoYanagiyaandMr.NiphonPhongsuwanco-chairedSession6ofthemeeting.
ReportbackfromAdhocCommitteesRegionallionfishcommittee
Onbehalfoftheregionallionfishcommittee,Mr.FrancisStaubinformedthatthecommitteerecommendedtheextensionofitsToRforanotheryearto2016.Thecommitteealsoproposedtoexpandthefocusofitsactivitiestoincludegeneralinvasivespecies.
Mr.DaveGulkosupportedtheproposal,andagreedthatitistimelyforthecommitteetoexpansionthescopeofitsactivities.
Astherewerenoobjectionbymemberstotherecommendedextensionofthecommittee’sToRtill2016,Ms.Yanagiyaconfirmedtheextension,andrequestedthecommitteesubmittherevisedToRtoreflecttheagreedextensionandexpansioninthescopeofactivities.
Enforcementandinvestigation
Mr.DaveGulko,leadfortheenforcementandinvestigationcommittee,sharedthat10membershaveaskedtotrialtheICRICoralEcologicalCharacterizationTool,andhaveprovidedfeedbackonadditionalfeaturestheywouldliketoseeincorporatedintothetool,includingasectionondecisionpathwaysandresultsinterpretation.
MiscellaneousbusinessReportbackfromGCRMNsidemeeting
Mr.JerkerTamelander(UNEP)sharedtheoutcomesofthesidemeetingoftheGCRMNthatwaswellattendedbyrepresentativesfromvariouscountriesandorganizations.
ThemeetingreaffirmedthatthedecisionsandrecommendationsfromGM29provideasetofprinciplesthatshouldguideGCRMNactivitiesandfurtherdevelopment,andbasedonthat,anumberofadditionalrecommendationswereproposed.
TherewasconsensusthatICRIcontinuetodevelopandstrengthentheGCRMNtoensurethatherkeyobjectiveofpreparingperiodicregionalassessmentscanbemaintained.GCRMNshouldaimtobethego-tosourceforcoralreefinformationformultipleusers,usingscientificallyrigorousandinclusiveregionalandglobalreportingprocess,asameanstoachievethis.
Insummary,themeetingrecommendedthefollowingactivities:
- ThecurrentandincomingICRISecretariatscontinuethediscusscoordinationmechanismsoftheGCRMN,withaviewtostrengthenownershipofthenetwork;
- DevelopadraftToRfortheglobalcoordinator,includingroleinpreparationofregionalandglobalreports(recognizingchangedrequirementsasaresultofsignificantprogressmadeintheregionalworkofGCRMN),andidentifypossiblefundingmechanisms;
- DeveloplistofregionalcontactsforGCRMN;- Identificationofgapsandopportunitiesintermsofregionalreporting;- EncourageGCRMNcommunitytoparticipateinICRSsession(sessionnumberfromJJ);- HoldameetingatICRSforGCRMNrepresentativesfromregionsattendingICRS,onthe
sidelinesofthesymposium.
Supportingdocument:Presentation“GCRMNPattayaminutes”
Discussion:
- Dr.HughKirkmansuggestedtheinclusionofmetadatainthedatacollectionprocess,andMr.Tamelanderclarifiedthattherecommendedprocessofdatacollationalreadycapturesthecollectionofmetadata.
- Dr.CliveWilkinsonsharedthatutilityofReefBaseasthemaindatabaseandrepositoryofcoralreefrelatedinformationhasbecomediluted,andcommendedNOAAforofferingtotakeovertheroleforcollatinginformationanddataoncoralbleaching.
- Dr.GregorHodgsonhighlightedtheneedtocontinuallyseeksustainablefundingtokeepthenetworkgoing,andofferedReefCheckasapossiblerepositoryforanyvarietyofcoralreefdatasetsinitsrevisedGoogleEarthdatabase,aswellasaplacetohosttheGCRMNGlobalCoordinator;
- Dr.MargaretJohnsonsuggestedthatthediscussionbecontinuedinthecloud,andwassecondedbyMr.JerkerTamelander.Dr.Hodgsoncounter-suggestedthatadefinitiveteambeformalizedwithanidentifiedleadbeforetheendofGM30;
- Dr.WilkinsonremindedthemeetingthatICRIhadpreviouslyestablishedamanagementgroupspecificallytaskedtodirectandguidetheGCRMN,andperhapsthecurrentSecretariatcanconsiderappointinganewmanagementgroup;
- TheSecretariataddedthatitwilltakeallsuggestionsandcommunicateittomembersinthecomingweeks.
SouthAsiaCoralTaskForce
Dr.MonammadKhurshid(SriLanka)sharedonactivitiesundertheSouthAsiaCorporativeEnvironmentProgram(SACEP),aninter-governmentalorganizationofeightmemberstates(Afghanistan,Bangladesh,Bhutan,India,Maldives,Nepal,PakistanandSriLanka)establishedin1982withthedecisionbodyofthegoverningcouncilcomprisingofMinisters.
TheoverallobjectiveoftheSACEPistoprotectandmanagethemarineenvironmentandrelatedcoastalecosystemsoftheregioninanenvironmentallysoundandsustainablemanner,andthisisrealizedthroughtheSACEPActionPlanthatprioritizesactivitiesonintegratedcoastalzonemanagement(ICZM),oil-spillcontingencyplanning,humanresourcedevelopmentandenvironmentaleffectsofland-basedactivities.
AspartofSACEP’sinitiativetosafeguardcriticalcoralreefecosystems,theSouthAsiaCoralReefTaskForce(SACRTF)wasestablishedtoactivelyparticipateandsupporttheeffectiveimplementationofexistingnationalregulations,actionplansandstrategiesforthemanagementofcoralreefsandassociatedecosystems;andtopromotethedevelopmentofthestrategiclinkagesforenhancedregionalcooperationandtheestablishmentofaneffectivenetworkedsystemofmarineandcoastalprotectedareasintheSouthAsianRegion.TheSACRTFcomprisestwogovernmentrepresentatives,onecoralreefexpert,andoneadministrativerepresentativefromeachcountry,togetherwithinternationalNGOoragencies(e.g.UNEP)representatives.TheTaskForcesiscurrentlyfocusingonimprovingtheeffectivenessofmanagementofexistingMarineProtectedAreas(MPAs),improvinginformationexchangeanddatamanagementacrosstheregion,enhancingregionalcooperationandresponsestoregionalmarineandcoastalresourcesmanagementchallenges,capacitybuildingandimplementingviablelivelihooddiversificationforlocalcommunities.Todate,theTaskForcehasdevelopedaregionalstrategyforcoralreefmanagementinSouthAsia,andiswillingtobepartofthe“GlobalCoralReefPartnership:TowardsanEcosystemApproachtoCoralReefManagement”initiative.Supportingdocument:Presentation“SouthAsiaCoralReefTaskForce”
5. TheFutureComingEventsUNEA2
Mr.JerkerTamelanderreemphasizedthatICRIcanconsiderraisingrelevantissuesattheupcomingUNEA2meeting,andofferedUNEP’sassistancetoidentifykeyrecommendationandtodrafttheappropriatewordingifICRIsochooses.
ICRS
Mr.TamelanderreiteratedtheearliercallbyDr.JeremyJacksonformemberstoconsidersubmittingabstractstotheGCRMNsessionatICRS2016inHawaii.
Mr.DaveGulkoenquiredifICRImemberswouldliketoconveneameetingbeforethestartofICRS,andofferedtohostaroomatastategovernmentfacilityorassisttoenquirefromthesymposiaorganizersifaroomatthevenuecanbemadeavailable.Dr.GregHodgsonsupportedtheproposal,andaddedthatICRIshouldmakegreaterefforttoengagepastmemberstorejoinwhilecontinuingtoattractmoremembers.
IUCNWCC
Mr.TamelanderhighlightedthatseveralsessionscoveringcoralreefissueshavebeenidentifiedatthenextWCCandrecommendsICRIinvolvementtoraisetheprofileofcoralreefsatthecongress.NOAAofferedtohostanICRIeventattheUSpavilion.
Dr.GregHodgsonsuggestedthatICRIproceedwithcoordinatingameetingfollowingendorsementbytheSecretariat,andthecurrentJapan-ThailandSecretariatofferedtocoordinatethemeetingandfinalizedetailsoveremail.Mr.TadashiKimurasuggestedasidegroupbeformedtodiscussthisandtoprepareaproposaltotheSecretariat.AsnomembersobjectedtoanICRIsidemeetingatthe
WCC,theSecretariataskedMr.Gulkotoleadtheworkinggroupwhowillformulatetheagendaforthemeeting.ThefollowingindividualsandorganizationsofferedtoserveontheWG:
Mr.DaveGulko(Lead)
Dr.BrittParker(NOAA)
Mr.JerkerTamelander(UNEP)
Mr.FrancisStaub(ICRIForum)
Dr.MargaretJohnson(GBRMPA)
Dr.BenPalmer(GBRMPA)
Dr.GregHodgson(ReefCheck)
Dr.KeeAlfian(ReefCheck)
Mr.NiphonPhongsuwan(ICRISecretariat)
Ms.MakikoYanagiya(ICRISecretariat)
Thecurrentsecretariatwillconsulttheincomingsecretariatwithregardstothemeeting.
ITMEMS5
ITMEMS5willbeheldfrom25to28February2016inBohol,Philippines,andtheupdatedinformationonthesymposiumhasbeenuploadedonICRIForum.ThepartnersforthesymposiumincludethegovernmentsofJapanandPhilippines,UNEPandtheReef-WorldFoundation.Currently,sixsessionshavebeenconfirmed,andthedraftprogram,includinga4-daytrainingprogramforsitemanagers,hasbeenprepared.
SummaryofJapan-ThailandSecretariatactivities
Mr.TasashiKimura,presentedasummaryoftheactivitiesoftheJapan-ThailandSecretariatfor2015-2016.Theactivitieswerebasedontheplanofaction2014-2016thatwaspresentedatGM28.
Twogeneralmeetingswereconvened,andtwotechnicalworkshopswereheldinconjunctionwithin2015theGMs.Inaddition,theSecretariatalsoprepareda20-yearreviewofICRItorevisitICRI’splaceamongmultilateralenvironmentalagreementsandotherinternationalbodiesandinitiatives.
TomaintainandenhanceICRI’svisibilityininternationalfora,asideeventwasheldattheCBDCOP12andWorldParksCongressin2014,RAMSARCOP12,aswellasupdatesonICRIForum.
TheSecretariathascontinueditsactiveengagementwiththeGCRMN,andsupportedtheworkofthecurrentandnewadhoccommittees.Inaddition,theSecretariathasalsocontinuedsupportingactivitieswithintheEastAsiannode.
Presentationofincomingsecretariat
Mr.SylvianFourrierfromtheFrenchEmbassy,confirmedFrance’scandidacyintakingoverthenextICRIsecretariat,whichreinforcesFrance’scommitmenttocoralreefconservation,andisalignedwiththecontinuedsupportofIFRECOR.Currently,theco-secretariatcountryhasnotbeenconfirmed.
TheICRISecretariatwillsecuremember’scommentsandpostthedecisiononICRIForum.
Closingremarks
Ms.YanagiyathankedmembersfortheiractiveparticipationduringtheJapan-ThailandICRISecretariatterm,andhighlightedtheaimtomakeamorerelevantandoperationalorganizationbyorganizingactivitiesthatbenefitstakeholders.
Mr.PhongsuwansharedthatThailandbenefitedgreatlyfromherinvolvementinICRIandthesecretariat,andthankedeveryone,particular,theICRIGM30organizationcommitteeforthesupport.
Inclosing,theco-chairsthankedeveryoneandlookedforwardtoacontinuedpartnership.
OnbehalfofallICRImembers,Mr.JerkerTamelanderthankedtheJapan-ThailandSecretariatfortheirleadershipduringtheircurrentSecretariatterm.Dr.CliveWilkinsonseconded,andsuggestedthatICRIforma“ReefScientistssansFrontier”andtoleverageontheexistingexpertiseofretired“greybeards”likehimself,Dr.CharlesBirklandandDr.BernardSalvatwhoarestillactiveandwillingtocontributetheirtimeandexpertise.HealsothankedtheUSstategovernment,throughNOAA,forthecontinuedsupporttoICRI.
Appendices:
Appendix1 Agenda
Appendix2 ListofParticipants
Appendix3 GCRMNminutes