1. National Environment Policy Presentation
NEP and Fisheries:
Towards a common and comprehensive environmental framework
Port Vila, 31 May 2013

2. Policy Vision & Rationale
« A clean utilization of Vanuatu’s resources for a healthy Environment »
RATIONALE
Umbrella Policy Framework and Roadmap for Environmental Protection & Conservation
DEPC: leading agency with relevant partners

3. NEP Rationale NEP in line with Vanuatu’s constitution
Part II, Fundamental duties:
«  Every person has the following fundamental duties to himself and his descendants and to others (…)
(d) To protect the Republic of Vanuatu and to safeguard the national wealth, resources and environment in the interests of the present generation and of future generations  »

4. NEP Rationale NEP in line with the PAA and Overarching Sector Policy
PAA: « An educated, healthy and wealthy Vanuatu »
« By 2015 Vanuatu will be among the leading countries in achieving (…) environmental management
« The main priority is to create an environment for private sector led economic growth, including activities in the primary sectors of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as well as tourism. »
« The nation possesses some important advantages: fertile land, natural resources and unspoilt environment »

5. NEP’s 4 pillars LAND AIR/SPACE
« Safeguard the national wealth, resources and environment »
… for a HEALTHY environment
SEA
NATURAL RESOURCES

6. Policy development process
Timeline
Month
Policy development: steps
April
Policy Concept Note
First national consultation workshops
Provincial consultation preparation
May
- Provincial consultations
June
Finalize draft after consultations > DEPC to work on policy directives and submit to relevant partners and departments
National validation workshop in Port Vila
July
Deliver cabinet paper; draft policy goes to ministry for endorsement
- Official launch

7. Results of provincial consultation workshops
Identified Policy areas/priorities
Green Growth: A Green and Sustainable Economy for Vanuatu
2. Climate change adaptation & mitigation
3. Conserving Vanuatu’s biodiversity
4. Land Use Planning & Management
5. Agriculture
6. Livestock
7. Forestry
8. Waste management and pollution control
9. Water & Marine resources management
10. Gender issues & marginalized populations in the context of environment protection & conservation
11. Knowledge management
12. Education, communication & awareness
13. Policy implementation & coordination
Fisheries

8. 9. Water & Marine Resources Management
Identified issues during provincial consultations
Coral reefs protection
Identifying resilient reefs and developing appropriate
protection plans
Provincial coral reef monitoring program
Old tires for reef replanting (Ambae, Penama)
Community assistance
Development of fish and prawn cultivation farms
Drinking water protection zones
Water conservation and management plans (incl. buffer zones)
Replanting coconuts and coastal pandanus in buffer zones
Ship wrecks guidelines to limit coastal pollution
Watersheds provisions
River banks replanting
Now: need to formulate policy directives and strategies, in line with Fisheries Policy!

9. NEP and Fisheries NEP to:
Facilitate implementation of Fisheries Policy (draft)
Make it a national priority in a high-level document
Break down key aspects of Fisheries Policy that have an environmental character
Getting specific resources for enforcement and monitoring
Strengthen Fisheries’ governance and cooperation with key sectors
E.g. Regulate agriculture, forestry and mining practices to prevent soil loss and pollution, and maintain the water quality needed for freshwater and coastal aquaculture > common framework
Foster private sector partnerships
E.g. Provisions to develop the domestic fishing industry and access rights
Provisions to strengthen cooperation on cross-cutting issues with DEPC and other stakeholders, such as for:
Marine biodiversity (protected conservation areas)
Species and (marine) ecosystem protection and conservation
Improved resource management (fisheries, reefs, coasts, offshore) through better coordination and cooperation with communities and provincial authorities
Introduction of foreign species for aquaculture purposes

10. Cross cutting issues – specific examples
Links between Fisheries and DEPC
Many issues require cooperation and joint actions
Cooperation with DEPC happening at several levels:
DEPC Mescal programme (Mangrove ecosystem for climate change adaptation and livelihoods): identifying, protecting and replanting mangrove habitats throughout Vanuatu
Establishment of protected areas
EIA processes to protect coastal fisheries habitats from future developments or to assess impact of introduced species
Potential to cooperate with other sectors through NEP:
With Livestock Dept > on food security issue
With Forestry (DoF): sustainable management of lands, control logging in highland areas to protect catchments and minimize soil erosion

11. Conclusion
NEP = Overarching document facilitating and improving coordination mechanisms among environment stakeholders
Sharing information and data to increase efficiency of environmental projects
No department can work in isolation when it comes to environmental protection and climate change!

12. Tank yu tumas!