Sustainable Management of the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Rudolf Hermes Chief Technical Advisor, BOBLME 1 st Asia Pacific Regional Targeted Workshop for GEF IW Projects Bangkok, Thailand, Sept. 2012

Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) Project

Some Facts o 8 countries o 6.2 million km 2 o 450 million people affected Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) Project Transboundary issues over exploitation of fish stocks habitat degradation land based pollution

Started in April 2009 (5 year Project) RCU located in Phuket, Thailand 31 Mill. USD (12.1 million USD GEF)

NEW “A healthy ecosystem and sustainable use of marine living resources for the benefit of the countries of the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem “ OLD: “to formulate an agreed on Strategic Action Programme (SAP) whose implementation over time will lead to an environmentally healthy BOBLME”

5 LME MODULES

Development of an Action Plan Resources Management Understanding the Environment Ecosystem Health Communications and M&E (a total of 16 Sub-components) The BOBLME Project has five Components

TDA and SAP Integrated Coastal Management Policy Harmonization Fisheries Resources Assessment and Management Transboundary Critical Habitat Management Ocean Dynamics, Productivity and Climate Change Marine Protected Areas / Fish Refugia Ecosystem Health Indicators Land-Based Sources of Pollution Communications 10 Major Areas of Work in Environment and Fisheries

Two major outputs 1.Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) 2.Strategic Action Programme (SAP)

Expected Outcomes of the BOBLME Project Healthier habitats and ecosystems, sustainable fisheries Capacity development Stronger governance and regional cooperation Increased understanding and better knowledge Implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM)

Regional reviews on ICM, policy, fisheries management, MPAs, pollution Bilateral consultative processes initiated in transboundary critical habitats EAFM framework in place (regional assessments, advisories, WGs / RFMAC, EAFM Training Most valuable results/innovations/lessons in the areas of process, stress reduction & environmental status

Ecosystem Approach (Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD) Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries, EAF (Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO) Integrated approach to fisheries to balance diverse societal objectives, within ecologically meaningful boundaries A strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way

Planning Implementation coordinated Monitoring & Evaluation EAF: Integrated Management System Forestry Ecosystem level Cross-sectoral, applying Eco-health Indicators Ecosystem level Integrated, cross-sectoral Mining Petroleum Shipping Marine affairs Environment protection and conservation agency Manufacturing Tourism Fishing Agriculture

Project ownership Selection of national implementing partners Larger than expected capacity development needs Major challenges and constraints

EAFM Framework Stock assessment training Science communication Priority needs for capacity building

ASCLME: Large –scale processes / SAP CCLME: MPA Guidelines YSLME: Data visualization (oceanography), IMTA “Indonesian Seas” LMEs: SCSLME, ATSEA, BOBLME Opportunities for synergies or cooperation with other projects