Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Derek Staples FAO, Bangkok

Contents BOBLME Ecosystem approach to fisheries Data needs/coordination –Where to from here

Background & perspective BOB 2,900km x 1600km 8 countries – EEZ & high seas Small GDPs –High level of poverty 1.5 billion people (25% world) –400 million in coastal catchments –Expected growth 20% by 2015 Large fishing dependency –Part-time & small scale

PDF-B phase of BOBLME Programme Sustainable Management of the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem –Implementing Agency: World Bank –Executing Agency: FAO Draft Trans-boundary Diagnostic Analysis Agreed project brief

Priority issues/needs Overexploitation of living marine resources Critical habitats Land-based pollution

Over-exploitation of marine living resources Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) Merging of 2 paradigms –Ecosystem management Ecosystem health Manages biophysical (eg MPAs) –Fisheries management Human needs Manages fishing activities (target resources)

Sustainable development Human well-being Ecological well-being Social Economic Ecological [Governance]

Overall Approach High level policy goals Broad fishery objectives Priority issues & operational objectives Indicators & performance measures Monitor & review

Data/information needs Policy formulation –Role in regional, national and local economy and social setting –Uses and users –Socio-economic background

Data/information needs Management plans –Background Ecosystem boundaries –Objectives (operational level) Social, economic and ecological –Management measures Specific intervention eq

Data/information needs Implementing, monitoring & review –Indicators of objectives –Success criteria

What management area? Who is responsible? Existing institutions –Fisheries APFIC SEAFDEC BOBP-IGO – Environmental SACEP –Economic cooperation SAARC BIMSTEC

Lessons learnt Existing policy Community-based/co-management Integrated coastal management

Selected trans-boundary species Over-arching fisheries data and information system –Sharks (All) –Indian mackerel (IBMTM) –Sharks (IBM)

Mergui archipelago Mapping of existing fish refugia Establishment of common regional data requirements and protocols Institutional arrangements Development of a regional action plan Training and capacity building

Challenges Challenges What areas & who’s responsible Agreed policy objectives Decision making in absence of data/information Filling data/information gaps Participation of stakeholders Monitoring & evaluation

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