UNEP/GEF RWG-Fisheries

REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND

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THE REGIONAL SYSTEM OF FISHERIES REFUGIA: MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN FISHERIES AND HABITAT MANAGEMENT

UNEP/GEFRWG-Fisheries


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Fish stocks critically important for food security, income, and foreign exchange

Fish production from SCS ≈ 10% of global production

Most fish stocks fully-fished or over-fished

Future landings will decline unless total effort reduced

Difficult to reduce effort – high community dependence

Fisheries of the South China Sea


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Role of Fisheries Habitats in Sustaining Fisheries

SCS habitats play a critical role in sustaining fish stocks, food supply, and incomes

Mangroves Coral Reefs Seagrass Wetlands

Habitats are refuges for fish during critical stages of their life-cycles - e.g., as larvae, when spawning, and feeding


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Loss of Fisheries Habitats of the South China Sea

Continued decline in the total area of habitats has raised serious concerns for sustainability of fisheries

Estimated Decadal Rates of Habitat Loss:

Seagrass – 30%

Mangroves – 16%

Coral Reefs – 16%

Fishing is a key factor in the continued loss of marine habitats and biodiversity in the South China Sea


WWW.UNEPSCS.ORG

Fishing and the Loss of Marine Habitats and Biodiversity

Key characteristics of marine fisheries in Southeast Asia contributing to habitat loss:

Over-capitalisation and over-fishing, particularly in the small-scale sector

Excessively high fishing effort in most inshore areas

High level community dependence on fish for food and income

Use of destructive fishing gear and practices


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Need for Multiple Stakeholder Involvement:

Need for improved management of links between fish stocks and habitats

Several global initiatives have been promoted (e.g., MPAs/LMEs)

A wide gulf exists between fisheries and environment sectors

Many environment initiatives have not delivered purported benefits to fishing communities

Fisheries ministries and departments busy trying to maintain stocks in face of high community dependence and participation

Need for partnerships and enhanced communication between fisheries and environment sectors


WWW.UNEPSCS.ORG

Emerging Challenge for Fisheries and Environment How to effectively integrate fisheries and habitat management?

Role of multi-lateral, inter-governmental projectsThe UNEP/GEF South China Sea Projects is working to develop regional capacity to meet this challenge by:

improving the understanding amongst fishing communities, managers, and policy makers of habitat and fish stock linkages, and

building the capacity of both fisheries and environment ministries and departments to ensure effective integration of fish stock and habitat management

Developing a Mechanism to Improve the Management of Links Between Fish Stocks and Habitats


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The RWG-F recommended that any mechanism developed should:

Focus on maximising the benefit-cost ratio of management interventions for fishing communities;

Promote sustainable use rather than prohibition of fishing;

Focus on links fish life-cycle and critical habitat linkages; and be

Relevant at the fishery level, i.e., should be easily understood by fishing communities, local government officials, and provincial level fisheries managers

Development of the Fisheries Refugia Concept


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Fisheries Refugia:Specific areas of significance to the life-cycle of fish speciesShould be defined in space and timeShould NOT be no-take zonesServe to safeguard spawning aggregations, nursery grounds, and migration routes

Fisheries Refugia are “Spatially and geographically defined, marine or coastal areas in which specific management measures are applied to sustain important species [fisheries resources] during critical phases of their life-cycle, for their sustainable use.”


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Stakeholder Consultations on Refugia Concept

Review of Fish Egg and Larvae Data for Refugia

Identification

Technical Workshops on Mapping Known Refugia

Conduct of Regional Training Events on Refugia Science and Management

Intergovernmental Guidelines on Refugia

Development of a Fisheries Refugia Information Portal


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Conduct of Country Consultations on the Identification and Establishment of Fisheries Refugia Sites


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Review of Information Collated by the South China Sea Project on Links Between Fish Life-Cycle and

Critical Habitats

National Reports on Fisheries

National Reports on Coral Reefs, Seagrass, Wetlands, Mangroves

142 Habitat Site Characterisations

Habitat Demonstration Site Documents

The South China Sea Meta-Database


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Review of Information Collected by SEAFDEC on Larval Fish Distribution and Abundance


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Sardinella spp.


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Scomberomorous spp.


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Candidate Fisheries Refugia Sites - Cambodia


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Candidate Fisheries Refugia Sites - Indonesia


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Candidate Fisheries Refugia Sites - Philippines


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Candidate Fisheries Refugia Sites - Thailand


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Candidate Fisheries Refugia Sites – Vietnam

Development of a Regional System of Fisheries Refugia


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Regional Actions

• Policy guidance

• Capacity development

• Data & Information Management

• Support establishment of national fisheries management systems

• Promote regional fisheries management frameworks

National Actions

• Establish programme for refugia identification and mapping

• Develop national fisheries management systems

• Implement awareness programmes

• Support regional data sharing

Local Actions

• Establish local management board

• Delineate refugia boundaries with fishers

• Identify fisheries management problems/solutions for refugia sites

• Establish regulations and monitoring

Importance of Stakeholder Involvement at the Local Level


WWW.UNEPSCS.ORG

Success of Regional Fisheries Refugia Depends on Actions at the Local Level

Level of Community Support Depends on Involvement of Stakeholders in Actions

Harnessing Local Knowledge Critical for Good Site Selection and Establishment of Management

Measures