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SOS Final Technical Report

1. Project Information

Organization: Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) Project Title: The Dugong Emergency Protection Project (DEPP) Grant code: 2011A-005 SOS Grant Type: Threatened Species Grant Report Author and Contact Information:

Karen Allen karena@ewt.org.za

Date of Report: 29 November 2013 SOS Strategic Direction(s):

Threatened Asian and African Mammals

Project Dates 1 January 2012 - 31 August 2013 SOS Grant Amount (in US$): $ 80,779 Total Project Amount (in US$): $ 117,597 Focal Threatened Species: Dugong (Dugong dugon) (VU) Implementation Partners for this project:

- The National Directorate for Conservation Areas (DNAC) - The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BANP) - Forum Natureiza em Perigo (FNP) - The National Maritime Institute, Mozambique (INAMAR) - WWF Mozambique

2. Project Progress by Component/Objective

2A. Report on results by project component. Reporting should reference specific products/deliverables from the approved project design and other relevant information.

Objective or Result Actual at completion

Objective 1: A reduction in the use of illegal fishing gear in the waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park will be apparent by the end of the project compared to the baseline figures available from the beginning of the project.

ACHIEVED

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Result 1.1 An effective system of marine patrols implementing standard legislation and associated penalties throughout the BANP with an average of 22 boat patrols deployed per month per boat.

ACHIEVED

Activity 1. Purchase 2 marine patrol vessels to be used by the National Park law enforcement teams so as to enhance the number and coverage of marine patrols.

1.1 Purchased two 21ft Yamaha fiberglass patrol vessels complete with 40 horse-power, 4-stroke motors and electric trim and tilt from Yamaha in Maputo. The boats are extremely economical- using 0,3 litres of fuel per km. Scouts and Skippers are being coached how to maintain and care for the boats so that these remain in good working order.

1.2 Law enforcement teams have conducted 106 patrols from March to August 2013, using both boats, covering 5,2221 Km. These patrols have recorded 203 separate infringements, resulting in the confiscation of 2,219 items of illegal equipment including 6 Gill nets, and seizure of 535kg of illegally harvested marine resources.

1.3 Number and coverage of marine patrols have resulted in the reduction of the use of illegal fishing gear in the waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park.

Activity 2. Purchase fuel for marine patrols, and ensure fuel-usage is logged in a fuel register.

2.1 Opened a fuel account at a registered fuel supplier in Vilanculos. 2.2 Purchased and transported fuel for marine patrols to Benguerra and Bazaruto islands monthly. 2.3 Created a fuel register for each fuel depot and for each boat. 2.4 Marked each boat fuel canister with “Litre” markings to facilitate easier and more accurate measurement of fuel use during patrols. 2.5 Logged the income and issue of fuel to both depots and both boats. 2.6 Checked the fuel stock at the end of every month as compared to the usage of fuel logged in the fuel registers and also in the patrol registers. No discrepancies in fuel usage have been noted as yet, and overall- the Scouts and Skippers are managing the fuel stocks well.

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2.7 Hosted a law enforcement strategy workshop with all Scouts to determine the range of behaviours and actions used by all types of fishers in order to devise a unique strategy for preventing various infringements. These strategies are based on tide levels, wind intensity, moon-phase, type of fishing gear, and time of year.

Activity 3. Revise the BANP law enforcement strategy in order to improve its effectiveness.

3.1 In collaboration with the Park Administrator and Head of law enforcement- identified strengths, needs, and weaknesses in the Park's current law enforcement strategy.

3.2 In collaboration with the Park Administrator and Head of law enforcement- identified known areas of Special Protection, Dugong occurrence, and presumed areas of high infringement activity. Patrols were focussed into these areas. Infringement hot-spots were discovered over time.

3.3 Trained scouts on how to operate GPS units, and set up a GPS monitoring system to record the activities of fishing boats sighted and checked on patrol.

3.4 Standardized the application of patrol processes amongst all scouts. This included providing refresher training on the Park's Zonation, illegal activities, and penalties.

3.5 Developed a communication and reporting procedure, including patrol reporting feedback sessions.

3.6 Records of patrol coverage are kept, and patrols routes and intensities are adjusted monthly.

3.7 Facilitation of the application of revised strategies that yield improved law enforcement effectiveness and stream-lined processes.

Activity 4. Facilitate the deployment of marine patrols in collaboration with the Head of law enforcement so that patrols are focused into Zones of Total Protection and known Dugong habitat.

4.1 Recommended coverage area of most marine patrols to include Zones of Total Protection and known Dugong habitat. 4.2 Promoted the diversification of patrol routes. 4.3 Enabled the deployment of patrols from both the northern and southern sections of the Park. 4.4 Co-ordinated the northern and southern patrol schedules in collaboration with the Head of law enforcement.

Activity 5. Standardize penalties for infringements.

5.1 Normalized the variation in interpretations of the Park's laws among Scouts.

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5.2 Created a standard list of penalties associated with illegal activities, and conducted training with Scouts to recall and record these whilst on patrol. 5.3 Circulated a list of standardized penalties for infringements amongst the fisher associations, general public, and recreational anglers.

Activity 6. Conduct a sensitization programme to communicate the standardized penalties for infringements to all fishing communities.

6.1 Met with fisher associations on Benguerra island and Bazaruto Island to present the listed standardized penalties for infringements. 6.2 Gave Public talks in Vilanculos and Chibobobo to present the listed standardized infringements to CCP's and angling groups. 6.3 Presented the listed standardized penalties for infringements to the general public and representatives of community associations at the National Park's Annual public meeting. 6.4 Through the Park Administrator- informed the Administrators, police, and Maritime Authorities of Vilanculos and Inhassoro of the standardized penalties for infringements. Sensitization to the revised law enforcement strategy was well received by the authorities and collaboration between departments has been improved as a result.

Activity 7. Design and implement Standardized Operational Procedures for marine patrols, GPS use, Fuel use, & boat maintenance.

7.1 Drafted SOP's for GPS use, fuel use, and boat maintenance.

7.2 Revised SOP's for GPS use, fuel use, and boat maintenance as required after training and implementation. Implementation of SOP’s takes place via instructions to Scouts and Skippers from the Park Administrator.

Activity 8. Train scouts to implement the Standard Operational Procedures as developed as per 7 above.

8.1 Delivered SOP training (GPS use, fuel use, and boat maintenance) to National Park Scouts and Skippers together with the Park Administrator. 8.2 Amended and re-trained Scouts and Skippers where the SOP's were revised.

Activity 9. Enhance patrol reporting procedures.

9.1 Created a patrol register in which all patrol details are recorded and where illegal equipment confiscations are noted. 9.2 Conducted Patrol register training sessions to familiarize Scouts with the register.

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9.3 Created a GPS patrol monitoring system- which records location of each fishing boat checked, number of crew, type of fishing activity, and whether the activity is legal or illegal based on the location of the boat relative to the Park's designated usage zones, and type of resource harvesting. These are recorded using specialized codes. 9.4 Performed GPS and code training, and refresher training. 9.5 Created GPS code cards for each boat to assist Scouts record the correct sequence and code for the GPS monitoring system.

9.6 Each month, patrol tracks and waypoints (codes) are downloaded, and data is analysed to demonstrate the number of illegal activities, position of illegal activities, and whether the perpetrators originate from Vilanculos or Inhassoro. This data is also represented spatially, and each month's patrol effectiveness is analysed at patrol report feedback sessions. The following month's patrol schedule is then set to compliment the current month's work.

9.7 GPS patrol data and Patrol register data are also matched at the end of every month to determine if these correspond. Non-corresponding data is analysed at the patrol report feedback sessions.

Activity 10. Create monthly patrol maps in order to monitor patrol coverage, effectiveness, and detect infringement trends/ hotspots.

10.1 Each month, GPS waypoints (codes) and tracks are downloaded from Garmin GPS units, data is converted into shapefiles, and these are mapped. 10.2 Prepared a spatial representation of combined patrol data (March to August) to determine the density of fishing pressure hotspots, and a 6-month trend. The Park Administrator and Scouts review monthly patrol maps, and adjust their patrol coverage accordingly and to cover areas that are of great concern and zones that have not been covered adequately.

Activity 11. Increase number of convictions and illegal equipment confiscations.

11.1 Facilitated a greater number of patrols (as compared to the baseline figures available from before the inception of the project) to increase the number of convictions and illegal equipment confiscation.

11.2 Since it's inception, the project facilitated two convictions. Both were trialled in court, and the National Park won both cases based on evidence provided by GPS data.

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11.3 No convictions for Dugong capture have taken place since no cases of mortality have been observed or reported since the inception of the revised law enforcement strategy.

11.4 A total of 2,219 illegal items of equipment were confiscated between March and August 2013, including 6 gill nets (all of which were unattended).

11.5 It is being found that many boats have converted to hand line fishing in the event of their nets being confiscated.

Result 1.2 Increased communication capacity between the National Park Outposts and mobile marine patrols in order to improve reaction-time to detected & reported infringements.

ACHIEVED

Activity 1. Analyse types of radio communication systems suitable for installation and operation in the BANP.

1.1 Entered into dialogue with a reputable radio installation technician who provided a number of options for the National Park Radio Network.

1.2 Marked the position of the Park's 5 Outposts with GPS and analysed the topography and distance between these to project the radio network's required capabilities.

1.3 Facilitated a frequency simulation study to determine the best set of options available for the Radio Network.

Activity 2. Select appropriate radio network components based on topography, line of site, distance between outposts, elevation, interference from mobile network towers, antennae capabilities, power supply, and security available at each outpost.

2.1 Selected 4-stack dipole antennas as opposed to repeaters, solar powered as opposed to generator run systems, marine approved radios as opposed to standard base stations, and waterproof and floating portable units as opposed to standard hand-held units. All equipment selected was high performance, high-gain, and proven to withstand harsh sunlight, strong winds, and salt water typical to the islands. Equipment selected offered extended communication reach (an extra 15km between outposts and 5km between hand-held units) and low maintenance requirements. 2.2 Post-installation, the Project is very satisfied with the Radio Network's impressive performance and the outcome of increased communication effectiveness, which in turn enhances law enforcement effectiveness through improved reaction times to infringements.

Activity 3. Source quotations for specified radio network components and installation.

3.1 Sourced 4 quotations for the radio network components and installation.

Activity 4. Arrange an importation-tax waiver for radio network components.

4.1 The radio supplier co-ordinated an importation-tax waiver through the SADC Customs division.

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Activity 5. Install radio network.

5.1 Fitted radio masts with stabilizing poles and antennae fixtures. 5.2 Delivered radio masts to each outpost.

5.3 Installation of solar power system, radio mast, antenna, flexi cable, battery, and base station at each outpost.

5.4 Installation of boat radios and antennas.

5.5 Tested all base stations and hand-held units, and communication reach between each outpost. All tests positive.

Activity 6. Create Standard Operational Procedures for radio network use and maintenance.

6.1 Together with the Radio technician team- delivered a set of SOP's for the radio network use and maintenance.

Activity 7. Train law enforcement officers on radio network operations and maintenance.

7.1 Performed SOP training at each of the Park's 5 outposts and with the Park's 3 skippers for boat radios.

Result 1.3 Increased participation of local communities, tourism operators and local authorities in reporting infringements and Dugong sightings to the National Park law enforcement personnel.

ACHIEVED

Activity 1. Inform stakeholders of National Park regulations and legislation, and publicize a protocol for public reporting of infringements/ Dugong sightings.

1.1 Informed stakeholders of National Park regulations and legislation through stakeholder meetings, public presentations, social media notices, and via emails and newsletters.

1.2 Publicised protocol for reporting infringements and Dugong sightings through stakeholder meetings, public presentations, social media notices, and via emails and newsletters.

1.3 Created and distributed pamphlets that indicate Park regulations and legislation, and illustrate Zones of Total Protection on a map.

Activity 2. Encourage stakeholders to report infringements if witnessed.

2.1Prompted all tourism stakeholders to participate in reporting of infringements via stakeholder meetings, public presentations, social media notices, and via emails and newsletters. 2.2 Promoted those stakeholders who report infringements at stakeholder meetings, public presentations, in social media notices, and through emails and newsletters.

2.3 Telephone numbers provided to Stakeholders for reporting infringements. These numbers are also publicized on the Park Rule and Information pamphlet.

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Activity 3. Design ad-hoc Dugong sightings forms. 3.1 Ad-hoc Dugong sightings form created.

Activity 4. Encourage participation in ad-hoc Dugong monitoring.

4.1 Prompting all Park-users to populate Dugong sightings forms and/ get in touch via text message when Dugongs are sighted. This has been achieved through stakeholder meetings, public presentations, social media notices, and via emails and newsletters. Participation has increased from 2012 to 2013, and it is envisaged that all tourism operators will soon join our reporting network.

Activity 5. Facilitate quarterly stakeholder meetings to announce updates of project progress.

5.1 Convened stakeholder meetings in Vilanculos and in the National Park to provide regular project progress updates.

5.2 Poorly attended stakeholder meetings were replaced by evening public talks, which were very well attended.

5.3 Poorly attended stakeholder meetings were also substituted with regular social media updates. Vilanculos and Inhassoro stakeholders belong to a closed Facebook Group- where project updates are shared regularly.

Activity 6. Prepare and distribute quarterly project newsletters to all stakeholders.

6.1 Quarterly Project newsletters are created and distributed to all stakeholders and project supporters via email and social media.

Activity 7. Create a Dugong Protection Unit in order to build capacity and coach local authorities, operators, and community members to be able to carry our adequate protection strategies in the long term.

7.1 Suggestions to create a Dugong Protection Unit were not well-received by stakeholders at the first stakeholder meeting. 7.2 Attempts to formalize stakeholders into a DPU were further complicated by the National increase in Park Entry Taxes. This increase created turbulence in the stakeholder sector, and resulted in resistance to supporting the Dugong Emergency Protection Project or any body associated with the National Park.

7.3 Attempts to create a DPU have been postponed until such time as the political climate is conducive to re-opening these discussions with stakeholders.

Result 1.4 Increased number of Zones designated to Total Protection within the National Park.

PARTIALLY ACHIEVED

Activity 1. Source spatial data from studies conducted by Findlay et al. (2008) in order to identify overlapping areas of Dugong distribution and seagrass abundance, so as to diagnose further Zones of Total Protection within and

1.1 Despite numerous requests, we were unable to secure a data-sharing agreement with Findlay et al. regarding the use of their data to create a map that would demonstrate overlapping areas of Dugong distribution and seagrass abundance.

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outside the BANP. 1.2 Our requests to Dr Findlay, Dr Cockcroft, and Dr Guissamulo to create the map on our behalf so that EWT could use this to suggest further Zones of Total Protection have been unsuccessful

1.3 We are now attempting to source seagrass abundance and distribution data for the Bazaruto archipelago through other means in order to complete this activity.

Activity 2. Apply for the ratification of additional Zones of Total Protection.

2.1 Unsuccessful in sourcing the required seagrass data in order to create the required maps to apply for creating of additional Zones of Total Protection. This activity is still in progress, and remains part of the greater Dugong Emergency Protection Project's overall deliverables.

Objective 2: Identify, and implement where feasible, alternative livelihood options for fishing communities in the BANP that replace currently-allowed harmful fishing practices.

STILL IN PROGRESS AT END OF PROJECT

Result 2.1 Identify alternative livelihood options for resident fishing communities involving a transition from netting to hand-line fisheries or a conditional auxiliary livelihood.

STILL IN PROGRESS AT END OF PROJECT

Activity 1. Assess the number of fishermen living within the BANP and reliant on net fisheries and the current income from net fishing.

1.1 Created an interview questionnaire for each head of household to complete.

1.2 Performed a training session with enumerators to introduce the questionnaire survey, set a standard for recording data, and address queries/ uncertainties.

1.3 Began the fisheries economic survey within the BANP.

1.4 After fishers refused to attend group interviews at selected locations on selected dates, the interview system had to be re-adjusted, and interviews were performed individually.

1.5 To date, 503 interviews have been performed, and a further 150 are expected to be completed by 15 November. The final assessment will be completed by December 2013.

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Activity 2. Perform a desktop study of documented transitions from fishing to alternative livelihoods where these have been successful in other developing coastal countries, including objective, strategy, and measurable outcomes.

2.1 Reviewed 26 papers/articles that discuss and debate transitions to alternative coastal livelihoods, and the recommended processes required to implement successful livelihoods transitions as complimentary income sources.

2.2 Collated findings from reviewed literature.

Activity 3. Conduct market-related research for crafts and local produce, in order to identify feasible conditional alternative livelihood options that provide similar or higher income than gill net fishing.

3.1 Performed a survey to establish types of products/ produce that appeal to, and would be purchased by the local market (mostly expatriates, but including tourists). 3.2 Comparisons between income from netting and potential income from complimentary livelihoods will be assessed once the results from the fisheries economic assessment are realized in December 2013.

Activity 4. Cost a community-run campsite model.

4.1 Identified a suitable location for a community campsite on Bazaruto island. 4.2 Enlisted in-kind services of a professional Mozambican Chef to determine the contents/ items required to outfit a kitchen and mess tent.

4.3 Enlisted the support of a Mozambican building contractor to calculate the cost of materials, transport, and labour needed to construct wooden decks for 6 tents and concrete slabs for the kitchen and mess areas.

4.4 Enlisted the support of a community-run arts and crafts enterprise to determine the cost of furniture required for the campsite. 4.5 Sourced quotations for tents.

Objective 3: Mobilizing additional funding to support the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park

PARTIALLY ACHIEVED

Result 3.1 Established Cause Related Marketing (CRM) partnerships to augment sustainable Park income through the EWT

ACHIEVED

Activity 1. Partner with Skyhawk Photography to generate sustainable income streams through the sale of postcards and prints from the Dugongs & Dhows artwork range.

1.1 Developed a Partner relationship with Skyhawk Photography (www.sky-hawk.co.za), to generate income for the Dugong Emergency Protection Project through the sale of their postcards and prints at Marlin Lodge, and from the sale of any items from their Dugongs and Dhows series. The photo series has also contributed to increased awareness and interest around Dugongs and the project

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Activity 2. Partner with Machilla Magic to generate sustainable income streams through the sale of products from the Endangered Species Series range.

2.1 Established a Partner relationship with Machilla Magic (www.machillamagic.com), to generate income for the Dugong Emergency Protection Project from the sale of a variety of carved Dugongs, and from the sale of any marine animal of the Endangered Species Series. Two carvers are employed full time to create the wooden Dugongs. 2.2 Machilla Magic has also created a Dugong Emergency Protection Project donation box- which is displayed at their front desk/ cashier counter. The income generated from this in 2013 was $593.

Activity 3. Establish a Guest Optional Donation Facility at Marlin Lodge.

2.1 Developed a platform for Marlin Lodge guests to donate to the Dugong Emergency Protection Project when paying their checkout bill. The donation was often motivated by interaction with the Project facilitator, who- at some point during a guest's stay- was able to introduce the plight of the Dugong either through direct conversation or through guests visiting the EWT Environmental Centre located on the Marlin Lodge Property.

Activity 4. Establish the Dugong-Dosh initiative at Marlin Lodge.

4. Developed the Dugong-Dosh fund raising initiative and implemented this at Marlin Lodge. This involved the placement of a carved wooden Dugong (produced by Machilla Magic artisans) on a guest's pillow at turndown on the last night of their stay. The Dugong would be accompanied by a short note from the Dugong Emergency Protection Project- prompting guests to "adopt" the Dugong for a fee of $10, and providing a brief description of the project and what funds would be used for. An average of 10 Dugongs were adopted weekly in the peak tourist season (before the lodge was closed due to fire damage in December 2012. The Lodge is awaiting it’s insurance pay-out before being able to rebuild and open to the public. The absence of tourists has negatively affected the Dugong Dosh Initiative.

Activity 5. Attempt replicating the Guest Optional Donation Facility and Dugong Dosh Initiative at other Archipelago lodges.

5.1 Appealed to all lodges within the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park to adopt the Guest Optional Donation Facility and the Dugong Dosh Initiative.

5.2 Only 1 lodge in the Park, and 1 lodge on the mainland have agreed to replicate the Dugong Dosh Initiative. None of the lodges wish to replicate the Guest Optional Donation Facility at this time, but the Project will continue its appeal.

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Result 3.2 Revised Park Entry permit system adopted by BANP.

PARTIALLY ACHIEVED

1. Revise the Park entry permit system to ensure permits required by mainland-based operators are purchased from the National Park office in Vilanculos prior to entering the National Park.

1.1 Discussed the revision of buying Park entry permits in Vilanculos prior to entry with the Park Administrator. The suggestion was welcomed, yet was not enforced by the Administrator. 1.2 An Acting Administrator was appointed, and this revision was again put forward. While the revised system was agreed on, it has yet to be implemented with full force.

1.3 When a new Park Administrator is appointed, the revised system will be motivated again, and further effort will be made to ensure it is adopted and implemented.

2. Revise the Park entry permit system to ensure the various permits required by mainland-based operators are merged into a single permit in order to reduce permit printing costs.

2.1 Designed a new permit to include each kind of tax that is payable to the Park.

2.2 Printed and purchased the revised Tax/ permit booklets.

3. Revise the Park entry permits so that these are printed as triplicate copies in order to aid financial reconciliation of income generated through tourism from the mainland.

3.1 Printed 28 Park Permit booklets with triplicate copies (100 permits per booklet).

2B. Were any components unrealized? If so, how has this affected the overall impact of the project?

Planned Component: Actual at completion: Going forward/ Impact

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An effective system of marine patrols implementing standard legislation and associated penalties throughout the BANP with an average of 22 boat patrols deployed per month per boat.

Complete and realized in full.

An on-going activity that the DEPP will continue applying in partnership with the National Park to maintain an effective system of marine patrols. The Park will assume full administration of this activity once the Park Manager has appointed a Head of Law Enforcement, and this person demonstrates their ability to apply the revised Law Enforcement Strategy in full (including monitoring of effectiveness).

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Increased communication capacity between the National Park Outposts and mobile marine patrols in order to improve reaction-time to detected & reported infringements.

Complete and realized in full.

An on-going activity that the DEPP will continue applying in Partnership with the National Park in order to support improved reaction times, and ensure the sustainability of the activity without EWT facilitation in the future.

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Increased participation of local communities, tourism operators and local authorities in reporting infringements and Dugong sightings to the National Park law enforcement personnel.

Complete and realized in full.

An on-going activity that the DEPP will continue applying in partnership with the National Park in order to maintain the participation of local communities, tourism operators and local authorities in reporting infringements and Dugong sightings, and ensure the sustainability of the activity without EWT facilitation in the future.

4 Increased number of Zones designated to Total Protection within the National Park.

Not realized in full.

While further Zones of Total Protection within the National Park have yet to be designated, this has not affected the overall impact of the project. The protection and monitoring of existing Zones of Total Protection have been increased through the project, and further Zones will be created when maps illustrating seagrass coverage and Dugong occurrence have been created in the first quarter of 2014. This project component has simply been delayed, but has not had a negative impact on the Project in its entirety.

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Identified alternative livelihood options for resident fishing communities involving a transition from netting to hand-line fisheries or a conditional auxiliary livelihood.

Not realized in full.

The DEPP will identify Community Development partners to assist implement a selection of alternative livelihood options.

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Established Cause Related Marketing (CRM) partnerships to augment sustainable Park income through the EWT

Complete and realized in full.

An on-going activity that the DEPP will continue pursuing in partnership with the National Park in order to generate further sustainable income.

7 Revised Park Entry permit system adopted by BANP. Complete

The Revised system has been adopted, but the DEPP needs to ensure it is applied and adequately enforced.

2C. Please describe and submit (electronically if possible) any tools, products, or methodologies that resulted from this project or contributed to the results.

Tools and products created and submitted during the First and Second Project Reporting Periods:

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1. Marine Patrol Record template. 2. Marine Patrol Route map. 3. Tourist and operator recommendations for improved conservation in the BANP. 4. Quarterly Project Report for the National Directorate for Conservation Areas. 5. Quarterly Dugong Newsletter. 6. Draft Law Enforcement Strategy for the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park. This is under review by

the National Park Administrator, and cannot be made public until approved. 7. Internal memo: Standardized Penalties for Infringements in the Bazaruto Archipelago National

Park. 8. New Map of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park. 9. Asset Loan Agreement between the EWT and National Directorate for Conservation Areas (not yet

signed). 10. Boat Use Indemnity form approved by The National Directorate of Conservation Areas. 11. Individual Indemnity forms for boat use by law enforcement staff. 12. Public information pamphlet indicating Park Rules and penalties from Infringements. 13. Standard Operational Procedures for i) Marine patrols, ii) GPS use, iii) Fuel management, iv) Boat

Maintenance.

Tools, products, and methodologies produced/ practiced in the Final Reporting Period (attached as Annexures): 1. Monthly patrol maps (March to August 2013). 2. Marine Patrol registers. 3. Final Law Enforcement Strategy. 4. Quarterly Dugong Newsletter. 5. Sponsor- A- Patrol Initiative fund raising proposal. 6. Revised Park Taxes ticket booklet. 7. GPS code cards to assist Scouts record all fishing activities whilst performing marine patrols. 8. Patrol report feedback sessions 9. Radio network communication system. 10. Ad-hoc Dugong sighting form. 11. Interview questionnaire: Assessing the economic value of various fishing methods. 12. Desktop study of documented transitions from fishing to alternative livelihoods where these have been

successful in other developing coastal countries. 13. Survey results: Assessing the available market for locally-produced goods generated through alternative

income activities. 14. A community-run campsite costing.

3. Species Conservation Impacts

Note: Please use this section to summarize the overall impact of your project. Present results in terms of: - Overall impact of the project (see 3A to 3C below) - Project activities’ impacts on species status (see 3.1 below), - Population size and trajectories (see 3.2 below),

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- Critical habitat condition and trajectory (see 3.3 below), - Major threats (see 3.4 below), and - Enabling conditions for effective conservation (see 3.5 below).

3A. Expected Outcome (as stated in the project logical framework): Improving law enforcement capacity and sustainability in the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park in order to prevent human-induced Dugong mortality, and to secure core Dugong habitat. 3B. Actual Progress towards Impacts at Completion: Please refer to table’s 2A and 2B for a summary of actual progress towards Impacts at Completion. 3C. Describe the success or challenges of the project toward achieving its short-term and long-term impact objectives. How could it have been improved?

Objective 1: A reduction in the use of illegal fishing gear in the waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park will be apparent by the end of the project compared to the baseline figures available from the beginning of the project.

Successes • The use of illegal fishing gear in the waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park has been

reduced through the design and implementation of a revised law enforcement strategy that enables Park Authorities to apply the existing and relevant Regulations.

• The number and coverage of marine patrols have increased owing to the provision of two new law enforcement boats and fuel required for marine patrols.

• The communication capacity between Park Outposts and Marine patrols has increased which has enabled improved application of law enforcement activities and the reduction of illegal activities within the National park.

• A marked increase in participation of stakeholders in threat reporting and Dugong sightings is evident, even though this is difficult to encourage and maintain.

Challenges

• Creating additional Zones of Total Protection was inhibited by the need for area-specific seagrass data which is unavailable to the EWT. This data is owned by a group of three scientists who were unwilling to share or make it available for the creation of maps to illustrate the overlap between Dugong and seagrass occurrence. Despite several written requests throughout the duration of the Project, and the EWT CEO meeting with one of the scientists, this data was not shared with EWT. EWT ‘s recently appointed Biodiversity Information Specialist is in the process of networking and sourcing information/ contacts in order to find freely available and recent satellite imagery of seagrass cover in the Bazaruto Archipelago.

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Objective 2: Identify, and implement where feasible, alternative livelihood options for fishing communities in the BANP that replace currently allowed harmful fishing practices. Successes

• Through reviewing a number of papers and reports that document sustainable alternative livelihood transitions and highlight where many of these initiatives have failed, the Project has come to realize the most effective implementation process to follow in order to achieve greater success of livelihood transitions. The Project has thus learnt a number of key lessons, and will make every effort to follow the guidelines proposed in order to implement successful alternative livelihoods or sustainable income generating activities.

• A number of successful complimentary livelihood opportunities were analyzed through an extensive literature review, and the project is taking steps to engage with potential project implementers involved in facilitating the implementation of a selection of these livelihood opportunities.

• Market research (for alternative livelihood products) was well supported by the expatriate/ tourism sector.

Challenges

• The Project created a questionnaire to determine the economic value of a number of different fishing methods used by local communities, and also to assess the social and temporal patterns of fishers. The majority of Fishers refused to attend group interviews at selected locations on selected dates, and as a result- the interview system had to be readjusted, and interviews were performed individually. This caused time delays and obstructed completion of the assessment in the given timeframe.

• Many fishers were reluctant to participate in the interviews, since results from earlier interviews conducted by former NGOs were not shared with the communities. Multiple fishers refused to undergo interviews for the fisheries economic assessment, and as a result, needed to be convinced that results would be shared with all participants upon completion of the wider survey. This delayed the completion of the deliverable significantly, and prevented the implementation of livelihood options within the intended timeframe.

• Since compiling the desktop study of documented transitions from fishing to alternative livelihoods, it has become clear that the implementation of any successful alternative livelihood requires an extensive investigation into the full spectrum of Human capital, Natural capital, Social capital, Built capital, and Financial capital within the National Park and coastal towns of Vilanculos and Inhassoro.

Objective 3: Mobilizing additional funding to support the BANP

Successes • The sale of Skyhawk Photography products (postcards and fine art prints) showed significant

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promise as a sustainable source of income before Marlin Lodge burnt-down in December 2012. • Both the Guest Optional Donation Facility and the Dugong Dosh Initiative proved highly effective as

a sustainable income stream to generate funds to support Marine Patrols. • Income from the Endangered Species Series and sales of carved Dugongs at the Machilla Magic

gallery is proving to be sustainable. • The Endangered Species Series gave rise to further income generating ideas. This led to the

creation of the Sponsor-A-Patrol Initiative, which is slowly developing momentum as an additional source of income to support law enforcement and Dugong protection activities in the Park. This initiative encourages medium-sized businesses and individuals to donate the equivalent amount of fuel required to perform 1 patrol every month to the National Park. It is hoped that the Project can enlist the support of at least 35 Businesses and individuals. In the space of 1 month, 5 businesses have become patron supporters of this initiative, and have pledged to donate fuel to the National Park.

Challenges

• Attempts to promote the sale of Skyhawk postcards at various lodges in the Archipelago were largely unsuccessful. This is principally due to the fact that Skyhawk Photography is not able to provide stock on consignment owing to high risks of theft and damage, and lodges are unwilling to purchase stock up-front. However, the Project is making a concerted effort to persuade a select group of lodges to trial the purchase and sale of postcards for 3 months. Transport of the Postcards from South Africa to Mozambique also involves risks of loss, theft, or damage so, until recently, the Project has brought stock into Mozambique from South Africa.

• Income from Skyhawk Postcard sales was processed through the Marlin Lodge accounts, since guests paid for these on settlement of their final Marlin Lodge bill by credit card. This income was due to be paid directly to Skyhawk, who would in turn donate the agreed contribution from these sales to the Dugong Emergency Protection Project. However, Marlin Lodge has been unable to pay Skyhawk Photography for the sales to date as these monies are tied-up in the Lodge insurance pay-out which is still pending.

• Despite several attempts, the project has been unable to establish and replicate the Guest Optional Donation Facility and Dugong Dosh Initiative at many other Archipelago lodges. However, the Project is adamant that this is feasible and possible, and is determined to enlist the support of at least 4 other establishments by March 2014. This will require additional meetings with each of the lodge managers or owners in person.

Overall, the lack of management capacity demonstrated by National Park Authorities has hindered the application and timely execution of general project activities. Skills shortages and the general tendency of actions to be slow in Mozambique cannot be helped, but the Project is working to address capacity-building in the National Park, and will be allocating funds to formal training (The Park Administrator will be attending his third and final year at the South African Wildlife Collage in 2014) for National Park staff in 2014.

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While the Dugong Emergency Protection Project has facilitated a marked improvement in the overall law enforcement capacity of the National Park and as a result- mitigated Dugong mortality and other illegal fishing practices, a challenge exists to ensure the sustainability of the solution. The Project might have been improved by providing more formal training for a selection of law enforcement staff in order to strengthen sustainability and build capacity in the field of Protected Area Management. It is the Project’s aim to channel more funding in the future towards formal training.

3D. Were there any unexpected impacts (positive or negative)?

The project has experienced unforeseen difficulties in establishing sustainable income strategies within the Tourism sector, and evidently overlooked the willingness of the expatriate community (Non-Mozambican citizens) to become involved in assisting the Dugong Emergency Protection Project to generate funds. It is presumed that because operating a tourism business, as a non- Mozambican citizen is fraught with challenges, financial difficulties, alleged corruption, and finding a way through significant bureaucratic processes has caused many people to become despondent and thus unsupportive of the challenge of Dugong conservation. However, the lack of assistance/ support to the Project can also be attributed to the Tourism sector’s general distrust of NGO’s. This seems to have been caused by a lack of transparency, communication, and interaction from NGO’s working in the Bazaruto Area prior to EWT commencing the Dugong EPP.

Furthermore, it remains a challenge for the project to elicit supplementary sustainable income from the bulk of the tourism sector because many hotels and lodges are of the opinion that the Park and Activity taxes already paid to the National Park should be contributing to conservation interventions and the Law Enforcement Budget.

The Project did not expect a National increase in Park Entry and Park activity taxes during 2013. When this increase came into effect with no notice in May 2013, it affected the attitude of many tourism operators who mistakenly believed that the EWT was involved in the fee increase. This perception resulted in a degree of distrust and hostility from the Tourism sector, and former support to the Project was reduced. The Project corrected these misconceptions through several public statements, yet a number of relationships were compromised and we are working to resolve these issues.

Note: Following the summary provided above, please use questions 3.1 to 3.5 to provide a detailed, technical response for results achieved from inception of SOS support to date. Provide responses within the context of stated project objectives, where possible. Attach annexes if necessary. Depending on the project, not all questions may be applicable. 3.1. SPECIES POPULATION - Did you stabilize or improve the conservation status of a species or important species population a. Global or target population: Target Population

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b. Indicate type and level of improvement or decline within the context of the following parameters:

(i) numbers of individuals (use quantitative assessments, if available, otherwise state increasing, decreasing, or remaining the same over project period, with justification and methods);

The individuals of the Bazaruto Dugong Population are estimated to have remained the same over the Project period to date, based on no baseline population estimates, and unfeasibility of detecting trends over short periods of time in a population of such low number. Since the Bazaruto Dugong population has not undergone a census since 2008, the number of Dugongs in the Greater Bazaruto Archipelago has not been recently updated, but is estimated at 247 animals (Findlay et al. 2011). The 2008 census methodology was subject to scrutiny at the 2009 Maputo International Dugong Workshop, as quoted below (excerpt from: Report on the Maputo International Dugong Workshop. Conservation Ecology of Dugongs in Mozambique: Precursor to a Management Plan. C.A.M Attwell, 2009)

“It is difficult to arrive at a population estimate for dugongs in Mozambique, the main problem being the lack of a synoptic regional survey across the entire coast, and the comparability of surveys carried out in small areas of the species range to date. A problem in the release of an “official” population estimate is the lack of any indication of the considerable variance of certain of the estimates. Thus, delegates to the Workshop considered various approaches to the release of “official” estimates, including “between 200 and 250 individuals”, or “between two and three hundred”, or “in the low hundreds”. Furthermore, the Project has not dedicated resources to population surveys based on the following statements by experts in the field of Dugong population modeling (Excerpts from: Report on the Maputo International Dugong Workshop. Conservation Ecology of Dugongs in Mozambique: Precursor to a Management Plan. C.A.M Attwell, 2009):

• “The workshop consensus was that it was unjustified to refine census techniques for dugongs as the critical status of the population meant that there simply was not the time available to provide scientific survey advice prior to initiation of conservation management. Furthermore the data contrast of the population estimates arising from surveys is probably insufficient to recognize statistically significant trends against the variance in estimates”.

• “Cockcroft et al (2007) undertook 24 dugong census flights in 2006 and 2007. Their results showed no clear trend over time for abundance estimates and would not be expected to do so given the limited time frame of these surveys (and the associated data contrast in relation to the variance in the estimates). Findlay et al. (5) also clearly showed the influence of sighting conditions on survey estimates, a factor that cannot easily be

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accounted for in survey design.”

Proxy measures of relative abundance will include a) number of Dugong sightings over time, and b) Number of deaths reported over time. The total number of reported Dugong deaths during 2012 was four animals, while the number of mortalities recorded within the duration of the Project were zero. It is estimated that a relative population abundance estimate can be made on completion of the Project’s Second SOS Grant (2012A-047), based on the results of monthly aerial Dugong distribution and abundance monitoring.

(ii) population trajectory over a 5 year period from monitoring date as increasing, decreasing, or remaining the same (with natural ranges of variation taken into consideration; give quantitative estimates, if available).

Dugongs are long-lived, slow-breeding animals. The important life history parameters that contribute to this are summarized below:

• Lifespan: 70+ years • Age at first breeding: 6-17 years • Litter size: 1 • Calving interval: ≥ 2.5 up to 7 years • Gestation period: 13-15 months • Lactation: ~ 1.5 years • Adult survivorship: > 95%

The implication of these life history attributes is that high survivorship in the adult sector of the population is critical to maintain population levels. In other words, any incidental capture in Gill nets will be devastating to a population (Marsh, 2009). Consequently, conservation efforts should be aimed primarily at keeping adults alive.

Marsh (2009) states “In the case of dugongs, where one is surveying a highly threatened population, trends may only become apparent by the time the population is even closer to extinction”.

Population size Years to detect 5% decline using monthly surveys

Population remaining when decline is detected

100 10 59

200 8 132

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500 6 367

1,000 5 781

Table 1:Relationship between initial population size and time required to detect decline using monthly surveys (Marsh, 2009).

To estimate sustainable anthropogenic removals from dugong populations, one approach is to use Potential Biological Removal (PBR), the maximum number of animals (excluding natural mortality) that may be removed sustainably from a marine mammal population (Marsh, 2009). PBR is given by:

PBR = nmin * 0.5 r max* Recovery Factor

The Recovery Factor is a Safety Factor pitched between 0.1 and 1. Using a PBR technique mandatory in the USA, Table 3 was constructed (Marsh, 2009).

Population size Sustainable mortality p.a. (Human induced)

250 < 4

1,000 <13

10,000 <130

Table 2: Levels of sustainable off-take for various sizes of dugong population.

The PBR model demonstrates how low the levels of unsustainable off-take are. In the case of the Bazaruto meta-population, which could be the same order of magnitude as Row 1 of the Table, there is no other option but to manage for zero removal.

Other models (Cockcroft, 2009) for the Bazaruto population suggest that with a stable age structure, and assuming 1/3rd of the females are breeding, the loss of only two breeding females annually is equivalent to a 12% loss from the reproductive cohort – a level of mortality sufficient to initiate population decline.

Population simulations indicate that even with the most optimistic combinations of life-history parameters (e.g. low natural mortality and no human induced mortality) a Dugong population is unlikely to increase more than 5% per year (Marsh 1995a, 1999). Based on these analyses and

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managing for zero human-induced mortality, while expecting some form of natural mortality, the Bazaruto Dugong population is expected to increase at no more than 5% per year.

3.2. IUCN RED LIST STATUS - After project implementation, can the species globally be considered for a change of Red List status, either positive or negative? If shifts of status within a category are applicable, describe relevant Red List metrics used to support assertion. Provide quantitative data, if available. The Report of the Second Signatory State Meeting (SS2) of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and their Habitats throughout their Range (February 2013) states that the Dugongs’ Global listing is uneven, but that they categorized as Endangered in East Africa.

The Bazaruto Dugongs are a diminutive and geographically isolated population within East Africa, and represent only a miniscule percent of the Global population. Their increase or decrease would therefore not lead to a change in global status, but could potentially result in a regional status adjustment. The Project aims to secure the Bazaruto population, and ensure no further loss/ fragmentation of the local distributional range.

3.3. CRITICAL HABITAT - Did your project improve the quality or condition of a threatened species’ critical habitat within the project target area? Present in terms of the following parameters, where relevant: (a) the total area (that is, the suitable habitat available to the target or global population); The extent of seagrass habitat available to Dugongs in the Bazaruto Archipelago is estimated at an expanse of 88km² (Everett et al. 2008), as compared to the 1,340km² of the Park’s extent. According to an assessment conducted by Marsh (2009), there is little doubt that the Dugong population of Bazaruto is well below the carrying capacity for the species. While seine netting activity is responsible for seagrass habitat destruction, this form of netting is not prohibited within the Park. The Project however ensures that seine netting is prohibited on those seagrass meadows located within Zones of Special Protection, and is limited to being performed by the local community only in the Zone Limited to Community Use. (b) condition (note, this must be defined for suitability for each target species; for example, degree of fragmentation, edge effects, impact of invasive species, etc.); and Not applicable- the Project objectives do not include habitat monitoring (c) estimated trajectory (that is, increasing, stable, decreasing) of critical habitat required by the population of the target species within the area addressed by the project.

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While habitat destruction is being reduced in Zones of Special Protection within the Park, we expect either the density or species composition of seagrass meadows to decrease in areas of high netting intensity within the Park, and outside the boundaries of the National Park

The estimated trajectory of habitat outside of these especially protected zones can be assumed to be decreasing based on global trends. It appears that two-thirds of the world’s meadows within developed areas have been lost through human induced perturbations that cause either eutrophication or siltation (Lotze et al. 2006). Both processes inhibit the amount of light that is able to infiltrate the water column and allow photosynthesis. In the case of eutrophication, algal growth on seagrass leaves is exacerbated, and essentially results in smothering of seagrasses. According to Bernal and Cicin-sain (2001) important seagrass habitat is rapidly declining, some 60% being lost from the Indian Ocean thus to date. Laffoley & Grimsditch (2009) report that seagrasses have been disappearing at a rate of 110 km² per year since 1980 and this rate is accelerating. In total, 29% (51,000 km2) of the total known aerial extent of seagrasses have disappeared (Waycott et al. 2009).

According to a 4-year seagrass extinction risk assessment (Short et al. 2011) involving input from a team of international experts, ten seagrass species are at elevated risk of extinction (14% of all seagrass species), with three species qualifying as Endangered. Furthermore, the study indicates that one in five seagrass species is now listed as Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened, having a heightened risk of extinction under the IUCN Red List Criteria.

3.4. DIRECT THREATS - Did your project stop or reduce important direct threats to a threatened species within the target area? Please state if the direct threats are for: (i) the target species; (ii) its critical habitat, or both. Present in terms of the threats’: (a) intensity (that is, high, moderate, low with criteria tailored to threat);

Gill nets have been identified as the most significant threat to Dugongs in the Bazaruto Archipelago. Commercial and semi-commercial fishers resident to the mainland towns of Vilanculos and Inhassoro are increasingly targeting sharks (Muaves 2009). It is this practice that accounts for most Dugong mortality in and around the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (Attwell 2009.a); where Dugongs become entangled in the unattended nets as bycatch. It is evident that within the BANP, Dugongs are not intentionally targeted by islanders, but fall victim to the illegal gill netting performed by semi-commercial and commercial fishers from the mainland. Nevertheless, the threat’s intensity is high considering the size of the Dugong population.

Within the target area, high threat to the target species has been reduced through the application of:

• A revised law enforcement strategy that reduces illegal netting in and around the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park.

• An increase in patrol distribution and density, • Increased numbers of illegal nets being confiscated. • Increased communication capacity within the National Park.

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Low threats to the critical habitat include uprooting of seagrasses as a result of seine netting. While this threat is considered low-intensity at present, measures need to be taken to ensure the levels of seine netting do not increase significantly over time in and around the BANP, and further investigations are required to determine the result of seine netting on seagrass density and species composition. Coupled with the predicted losses of seagrass species as a result of climate change, consideration needs to be given to the enhanced conservation of these habitats for Dugongs, as carbon sinks, and as nurseries for juvenile fish. Within the target area, low threat to the target habitat has been reduced through the application of a revised law enforcement strategy that reduces netting in the Zone Limited to Community Use, and Zones of Total Protection within the BANP.

(b) distribution (that is, widespread, common, localized); and

Dugong entanglement in Gill nets is a widespread occurrence. The WIOMSA bycatch workshop (2006) concluded that coastal gill net fishery poses a serious threat to Dugongs throughout the Western Indian Ocean. With relevance to the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, It has been found that most gill netting takes place in more remote areas of the Park that are located far from outposts and regular boat traffic. Consequently data on this activity are difficult to secure and are complicated by the fact that fishermen operating in those areas are often not local people but instead- are itinerants who may visit remote areas for several weeks before returning to their home villages.

Marine patrol data captured from March 2013 to August 2013 suggests that gill net use occurs in the north-western corner of the Park, and extends to the mainland as far north as the Save River mouth. Of the 6 gill nets found and destroyed, 5 were located in remote northern regions of the Bazaruto Archipelago.

The Project has mitigated Dugong bycatch in gill nets within and bordering the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park.

(c) area affected over time (that is, expanding, decreasing, stable using defined boundary) of 1-3 major, direct threats to the target species within the projects’ target areas.

Through the application of the Dugong Emergency Protection Project, the threat posed to Dugongs by entanglement in gill nets has been reduced in and around the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park. While Dugong mortalities in 2012 were numbered at 4 individuals, no mortalities have been recorded during the application of the enhanced Law enforcement strategy, and operation of the two new patrol boats as of March 2013 until August 2013.

3.5. ENABLING CONDITIONS - Did your project contribute to improving, no impact on, or worsening enabling conditions that facilitate successful conservation for threatened species? Present in terms of the degree (that is, favorable, neutral, unfavorable) to which local socio-economic, political, and cultural

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conditions (that is, ‘enabling conditions’) contribute to the probability of success for conservation of the target species with the project area. Protected area tracking protocols are required, where applicable (consult with the SOS Secretariat on the appropriate PA tracking tool to use). Applicable metrics include: (a) legislative tools associated with species’ protection (poor, fair, good, very good);

As per the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool for Protected Areas (Section II):

• The protected area has been formally gazetted. • Regulations for controlling land use and activities in the protected area exist but there are some

weaknesses or gaps. • There are major deficiencies in staff capacity/resources to enforce protected area legislation and

regulations (e.g. lack of skills, no patrol budget, lack of institutional support).

The Project has improved the application of environmental regulations, enforcement, and levels of compliance concerning illegal forms of netting and resource utilization that impact adversely on Dugongs and their habitat. The overall improved enforcement and compliance, coupled with the provision of critical resources and necessary training has had a favourable effect on the species’ protection. The Project has facilitated an improvement in local political conditions so as to enhance the probability of success for Dugong conservation in the Bazaruto Archipelago.

(b) financing for conservation (poor, fair, good, very good – based on available resources for conservation, sustainable financing mechanisms are developed and in place, public-private partnerships, positive benefits for community livelihoods, etc.);

As per the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool for Protected Areas (Section II):

• The National Park’s available budget is inadequate for basic management needs and presents a serious constraint to the capacity to manage.

• There is a reasonably secure core budget for regular operation of the protected area but many innovations and initiatives are reliant on outside funding.

The Project has set up improved mechanisms for enhancing the various mandatory payments owed to the National Park in order to augment its finances, but these mechanisms have collapsed due to resistance from a small section of Tourism Operators based within the National Park. 20% of all Park-generated revenue is allocated to two community associations, and any deficit in these funds impacts negatively on community development. In this case, the project has had no effect on local political conditions that would enable improved financing for dugong conservation/ improved PA management.

While large-scale sustainable financing mechanisms are being investigated, none have been secured. Small-scale sustainable income was reflected in the project budget towards the end of 2012 (before Marlin Lodge burnt down). Sustainable alternative livelihoods for fishing communities are in the process of being identified, which will result in the alleviation of marine resource utilization and enhance community development.

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Through financial support offered by the SOS Grant (2011A-005), the project has managed to leverage additional funding to support the overall conservation interventions of the Dugong Emergency Protection Project. Some of the support leveraged includes funding from the LaGuntza Foundation, potential funding from the GEF-CMS Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project, online fundraising drives (The IUCN Big Swim), The World Ocean’s Day Freedive for Dugongs event (8 June, Durban 2013), and The Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson Foundation.

(c) wildland or protected area management effectiveness (poor, fair, good, very good – based on PA tracking tool indices applied to target area); and The Project is unable to accurately score the overall effectiveness of PA management without expert opinion or a panel of contributors. However, the PA Tracking Assessment form was completed to the best of the Project’s capacity, and a score of 105 was reached (including some omissions, and an average score of 1/ low). The current scoring system however, assumes that all questions cover issues of equal weight, whereas this is not necessarily the case. (d) existence of robust conservation strategy or Action Plan for the species or critical habitat (poor, fair, good, very good – based on important features such as priority areas identified and ranked, representation analysis complete, thresholds of habitat and species population size and condition identified, conceptual model and conservation action plan developed, actions prioritized and results chains elaborated, monitoring program).

The Project has collated a Situational Analysis of Dugongs in The Bazaruto Archipelago; drawing from over one hundred references, with particular focus on devising a set of conservation Management recommendations that exist for Dugongs globally, that have proven effective, and that are relevant to the Bazaruto population and the prevalent limiting factors that characterize Mozambique. Several Dugong conservation Strategies and two Action Plans (one global, and another regional) form the basis of the Dugong Emergency Protection Project, and the final recommendations of the Situational Analysis. Where monitoring is concerned, the Project has not focused its efforts into population modelling, but will monitor the effectiveness of improved law enforcement for the duration of the Grant’s support instead.

Globally and in Mozambique, priority countries and areas respectively have been identified and ranked, and Bazaruto population is considered viable. Population Viability Analyses (Cockcroft 2009) have however indicated that the loss of only two breeding females annually represents a level of mortality sufficient to initiate population decline.

The project is collaborating with GEF and the Convention on Migratory Species to further regional and local conservation strategies, and to prioritize actions for implementation. Actions for implementation are expected to be shared with 7 participating countries in 2014.

4. Lessons Learned

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a. Project Design Process: (aspects of the project design that contributed to its success / shortcomings

• The EWT was unmindful of the significant time delays that are often associated with community-related activities, and activities and logistics associated with working in Mozambique. Greater consideration should have been given to this, and any further community-related interactions/ assessments must ensure more extensive time-frames to complete deliverables.

• The Project presumed that existing data owned by external organizations would be shared for the sake of sustaining Bazaruto’s Dugong population.

• The Project underestimated the fuel usage of the law enforcement boats, and as such, was able to perform more than 18 patrols per boat per month. Up to 25 patrols per boat per month were achieved (weather allowing) with budget allocated to fuel.

• Before the project planning phase, quotations for the law enforcement boats were sourced. At the time, three boats would have been possible to purchase given the Project Budget. However, once funds were transferred to EWT, the boat prices had increased, and only two boats were purchased. While the two boats are contributing significantly to the Project’s success, having a third boat would have allowed the Park to cover all it’s marine zones with much greater ease.

• The Project failed to budget for boat maintenance and insurance, although the EWT was able to raise funds from an alternative sources for this cost.

b. Project Implementation: (aspects of the project execution that contributed to its success /shortcomings)

• The Project underestimated the level of capacity of the National Park junior staff –especially where an understanding of the Park’s regulations and penalties were concerned. The Project spent a great deal of time ensuring that all Junior staff gained sufficient training so that all Park regulations and penalties associated with infringements were clearly understood and applied.

• The Project underestimated the level of capacity of the National Park senior staff in most aspects of applying Protect Area Management and corresponding with stakeholders.

• The Project overlooked the importance of being acquainted with the Park’s law enforcement budget. • Pressing issues are not addressed with haste in Mozambique, and the Project underestimated the

time frames in which resolving urgent matters takes place. • The importance of maintaining a Support Agreement with the National Directorate of Conservation

Areas- Mozambique, as protocol of following the correct channels cannot be overlooked. Formalizing a Support Partnership Agreement has been critical to the success of the Project, and has strengthened the Project’s good standing with the Government of Mozambique.

• Procuring the correct equipment (boats and radios) - best suited to the isolated location and unique environment and conditions of Bazaruto will contribute towards the success of the Project and ensure it’s sustainability into the future. Evidence of equipment failure (boats donated to the National Park in 2008 by SASOL) is apparent, and can be attributed to the incorrect and hasty choice

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of field equipment. • Ensuring that equipment maintenance and care takes place as a Standard Operational Procedure will

guarantee a longer life-span of all equipment purchased by the Project. • Being based on site as Project Implementer ensures a permanent presence and full time facilitation

and advisory support to the National Park.

c. Other lessons learned relevant to the conservation community:

Lessons learned from a. and b. above are relevant to the wider conservation community operating projects within Africa. Furthermore, should any projects consider facilitating enhanced conservation interventions in Mozambique, it would be prudent and beneficial to follow the accepted protocol expected at all tiers of Government, and it would be advantageous to secure buy-in from all NGO’s and civil society, as well as allow extended time frames to achieve significant results.

5. Additional Funding

(i) Project co-financing (Other donors or your organization contribute to the direct costs of this project)

1. Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson Charitable Foundation- $17,000 for general operational costs (staff remuneration, airfares and travel, meeting costs).

2. Individual donors in 2012 – $1,699. 3. Laguntza Foundation – $9,500 for trialing the Sustainable Seafood Initiative. 4. EWT- boat services- $2,263.

(ii) Grantee and Partner leveraging (Other donors contribute to your organization or a partner organization as a direct result of successes with this SOS funded project.)

1. ScubaPro SMS/ Text message campaign –$441. 2. The World Ocean’s Day Freedive for Dugongs Event - $1,789.

(iii) Regional/Portfolio leveraging (Other donors make large investments in a region because of SOS investment or successes related to this project. The Global Environmental Facility is supporting a global Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project, where seven countries in the Dugong’s Range will receive support fro Project Operations. The Dugong Emergency Protection Project has been pre-selected as a Project Implementer. GEF funding to the approximate value of $ 89,922 is expected to be awarded to the Dugong Emergency Protection Project in mid-2014 as a result of the successes of DEPP in the area and SOS investment. SOS funding provided leverage for GEF to invest further in the BANP in future.

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6. Sustainability / Replicability

Results Actions to maintain sustainability Sustainability at Project Completion: Success or

challenge

1

An effective system of marine patrols implementing standard legislation and associated penalties throughout the BANP with an average of 22 boat patrols deployed per month per boat.

1.1 Monthly patrol monitoring feedback sessions ensure that Scouts maintain enhanced levels of patrol recording proficiency.

Still requires external facilitation, but the Project is on-going, so no challenge exists to maintain sustainability. The activity has been built into the SOP’s designed for the improved law enforcement strategy.

1.2 Regular but random checks on boat upkeep and maintenance ensures that skippers constantly maintain high standards of boat upkeep.

Still requires external facilitation, but the Project is on-going, so no challenge exists to maintain sustainability.

1.3 Monthly checks on fuel stocks and monitoring ensures that fuel losses/ theft do not occur.

Still requires external facilitation, but the Project is on-going, so no challenge exists to maintain sustainability. The only challenge exists when the Project implementer is on leave twice annually, but structures are put in place to monitor fuel stocks. It is foreseen that full sustainability will be achieved at the end of 2014.

1.4 Ordering and delivery of patrol fuel.

Replicability achieved. It is however a challenge to ensure a sustainable source of boat fuel for boat patrols.

1.5 Monthly planning meetings are held with the Head of Law Enforcement to prioritize law enforcement activities.

Still requires external facilitation, but the Project is on-going, so no challenge exists to maintain sustainability.

1.6 Create and update monthly patrol maps, and share these with Scouts so their efforts are made visible.

Still requires external facilitation, but the Project is on-going, so no challenge exists to maintain sustainability.

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1.7 Regular updates/ adjustments to the law enforcement strategy are made when any relevant information comes to light.

Replicability achieved

2

Increased communication capacity between the National Park Outposts and mobile marine patrols in order to improve reaction-time to detected & reported infringements.

2.1 Random checks on radio equipment to ensure these are being responsibly used and appropriately maintained.

Replicability achieved

3

Increased participation of local communities, tourism operators and local authorities in reporting infringements and Dugong sightings to the National Park law enforcement personnel.

3.1 Regular communication with a range of stakeholders to maintain reporting procedures.

Still requires external facilitation, but the Project is on-going, so no challenge exists to maintain sustainability.

3.2 Regular encouragement of stakeholders to submit Dugong sightings forms

Still requires external facilitation, but the Project is on-going, so no challenge exists to maintain sustainability.

3.3 Convene quarterly stakeholder meetings to announce project updates/

Still requires external facilitation, however it has been found that the attendance at these meetings is poor, and they will be reduced to annual meetings.

3.4 Create and distribute quarterly project newsletters to stakeholders and project supporters.

Still requires external facilitation, but the Project is on-going, so no challenge exists to maintain sustainability.

3.5 Encourage stakeholders to formalize into a Dugong Protection Unit.

Still requires external facilitation.

4

Increased number of Zones designated to Total Protection within the National Park.

4.1 Source spatial data in order to identify overlapping areas of Dugong distribution and seagrass abundance, so as to diagnose further Zones of Total Protection within and outside the BANP.

Still requires external facilitation

4.2 Apply for the ratification of additional Zones of Total Protection.

Still requires external facilitation

5

Identified alternative livelihood options for resident fishing communities involving a transition from netting to hand-line

5.1 Assess the total number of fishermen living within the BANP and reliant on net fisheries and the current income from net fishing.

Still requires external facilitation

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fisheries or a conditional auxiliary livelihood.

6

Established Cause Related Marketing (CRM) partnerships to augment sustainable Park income through the EWT

6.1 Maintain CRM partnerships and sustainable income streams to augment Park income.

Still requires external facilitation, but the Project is on-going, so no challenge exists to maintain sustainability.

7 Revised Park Entry permit system adopted by BANP.

7.1 Ensure revised system is implemented by BANP. Replicability achieved

7. Safeguard Policy Assessment

The Project will result in the strengthened management of a protected area by applying the existing regulations that were promulgated in terms of resource use, zonation, and allowable tourism activities according to the following legislation: Decreto No 12 de 2002 de 6 de Junho, Lei No 10 para 1999 de 7 de Julho, Lei de Frloresta de Fauna Bravia, Decreto No 27/2003 de 17 Junho, Lei No 4 de 2004 de 16 Junho, Decreto 27/2004, and Diploma Legislativo n 46/71 de 25 de Maio.

The Project will provide critical equipment to the National Park that will allow marine law enforcement to become more effective. The Project does not make any changes to the legislation or management of resources, but only facilitates the application of existing regulations which local communities are already aware of.

The following conditions are thus applicable:

(i) Local communities and communities using resources in the park (will) have been consulted before any changes were made.

Local communities were made aware that the National Park was able (with financial support from SOS and facilitation through EWT) and capacitated to apply the existing regulations regarding resource use within the National Park as of early 2013- before the marine patrol boats were put into action. The Project met with local community leaders on 6 March 2013 at a boat Inauguration ceremony to make them aware of the new equipment made available by SOS (two patrol boats) to the marine law enforcement division of the Park, and to seek their acceptance of the boats and their use in the application of law enforcement. Furthermore, an information pamphlet and posters were prepared for fishing associations; clearly defining the Park’s regulations, and that list penalties associated with any infringement of the regulations.

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(ii) You (will) have assessed the potential impact on the livelihoods of communities and resource users from a better protected park.

The Project is at present completing an analysis of the types of livelihoods (and associated income) of local communities, and will assess the financial benefits of various fishing methods, and also identify sustainable alternative livelihood opportunities for local community fishers based on the assessment’s outcomes. The project has established that infringements within the National Park are performed by migrant fishers from the mainland, and not by resident local communities.

The communities most affected by a better protected Park are those resident to the mainland, and those who perform illegal harvesting activities such as spear fishing, gathering of sea cucumbers, use of long-lines, use of gill nets, and utilization of resources within Zones that are limited to local community use (within the National Park). These communities already have an understanding of the regulations governing resource use within the National Park, and most adhere to said regulations. External resource users of the National Park will merely have to adhere to the existing legislation, and conduct their resource utilization within the correct zones of the Park (Zone of Multiple Use), or otherwise outside of the National Park boundaries.

Through the application of the Park regulations by way of enhanced law enforcement strategies and provision of critical equipment, a number of illegally used nets and spear fishing equipment have been confiscated from mainland fishers. It has been found (on follow-up patrols) that these fishers revert to hand-line fishing as a result.

(iii) You (will) have shared the results of this assessment with the affected local communities and resource users. Describe:

Once the results of the survey/ assessment are available, these will be shared and discussed with the local communities and fishing associations.

(iv) You (will) have identified impacts that will reduce the ability of local communities and/or individual families to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, medicine, or impacts that will leave communities and/or individual families worse off as a result of the project than they were before the project started. Describe:

The Project does not expect to impact negatively on local communities, or reduce the amount of food available to them through the application of the Project. However, should the results of the survey show that families or communities will be worse off as a result of a better protected Park, then all possible measures will be taken to address the impact. Again, it must be noted that the Project is not suggesting any new resource management regulations, but is simply assisting to apply those already promulgated.

(v) You (will) have planned to mitigate these serious impacts on community livelihoods as part of your project plan.

As discussed in (ii) and (iii) above, the project does not expect any serious impacts on the livelihoods of local communities. Should any impacts occur, the project will mitigate these.

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(vi) This plan (will) includes a budget set aside from the grant to achieve this mitigation.

The approved SOS project budget does not include budget for mitigation measures, but funds have been sourced from another International Foundation (Laguntza Foundation) to trial incentives for fishing communities who voluntarily decide to trial alternative fishing gear, and who are provided with links to exclusive markets for their catch.

8. Additional Comments/Recommendations

Bazaruto’s Dugong population can be said to contain two sub-groups; one that utilizes the National Park and is considered “resident” to the locality of the 5 islands, and another that is located near the Save River mouth- outside of the Park boundaries. A distance of approximately 60Km separates the sub-groups, and may both utilize each of these two areas. While the effectiveness of the Project has improved enabling conditions, species status and habitat within the boundaries of the National Park, it is recommended that in order to ensure adequate protection of those animals located outside of the Park boundaries, and in the Greater Bazaruto Archipelago- a replication of this Project (in part) is implemented by the Maritime Authorities in the Inhassoro, Nova Mabone- Nyamabwe area in the near future. This would require the creation of a small outpost complete with solar electricity and human resources, a patrol boat, patrol fuel, and radio communications. Furthermore, this would necessitate the application of Dugong and seagrass awareness campaign, and a fisheries economic survey to enable the identification of alternative livelihood opportunities for these communities, followed by a capital and needs assessment by project partners.

9. Information Sharing and SOS Policy

SOS is committed to transparent operations and to helping Civil society groups share experiences, lessons learned, and results. Final project completion reports are made available on our website, www.saveourspecies.org and publicized in our newsletter and other communications.

Please include your full contact details below:

Name: Karen Allen

Organization name and

Mailing address:

Endangered Wildlife trust P.O.Box X11, Modderfontein, 1645, Johannesburg, South Africa

Tel: 002711 372 3600

Fax: 0027 86 715 6140

E-mail: karena@ewt.org.za