Oceans – the lifeline of Humanity

The BCLME Region Comprises Angola, Namibia and South Africa One of the most productive upwelling systems in the world Fisheries is an important food security, income, GDP and employment contributor – esp. Angola and Namibia Cooperation initiated in early 1990s and supported by UNDP/ GEF and other donors Developed a TDA and regional SAP; completed in late 90s and endorsed in 2001 Governments endorsed Interim Agreement for establishment of the BCC – Aug 2006 BCC Secretariat opened in Aug 2009

Total (Bn U$)1514 Oil69%74% Diamonds15% Tourism11%5% Fisheries5%6%

SAP Implementation Goal and Objective OBJECTIVE: To implement the BCLME SAP through the adoption of national policy reforms, the sustainable institutionalisation of a regional Commission, and the endorsement and ratification of a binding international Convention for the LME. Countries agreed on Regional Framework for Oil Spill Response BCC started collaboration with Abidjan Convention on Oil Spill Issues

Achievements Outcome 1: A Benguela Current Commission infrastructure and associated Convention Outcome 2: National level policy, legislative and management reforms Outcome 3: Sustainable capacity secured for LME management Outcome 4: Capture and networking of knowledge and best practices Lobster fishery in Namibia down-scaled to Small-scale due to low yields

SAP Implementation – Progress toward Outcome 1 A Benguela Current Commission infrastructure and associated Convention BCC with requisite structures and functions – National Coordinators, Chief Finance Officer (CFO), admin and management policies, National EAF HD WGs (socio-economics), Minerals and Extractive WG, National Task Groups (Convention devt/ governance); revised BCC structure; Science Program and TCB under implementation since 2009; BCC Vision, mission statement, core values in place SAP review/ update – SAP priorities for Angola revised; regional review in Q1 2012; Management instruments – Management planning for shared stocks, admin and institutional policies; Monitoring and assessment – Collaboration with 2 GEF Biodiversity projects in Namibia for development of national Coastal and Marine M&E system; user needs analysis, SEIS Institutional development – CFO, Staff Salary Grading System, Strategic Planning (underway)

SAP Implementation – Progress toward Outcome 2 National level policy and management reforms National structures to support BCC – National Coordinators and National Focal Institutes in place – NFIs contribute substantial co-financing for activities and events; Harmonisation of National Policy and Laws – EAF Institutional Reviews and Ecological Risk Assessment; National Fisheries Policy Dialogue in Namibia Jun 2012; Strategic Env. Assessment; Valuation of ecosystem goods and services; Revision of Marine Resources Act; Oceans Policy development

Mapping of Biodiversity Important Areas to ensure best possible use of resources (Arial image of Walvis Bay Lagoon and harbour area.) Red indicates areas of high biodiversity importance Proclamation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with multiple use zones can enhance conservation and economic and socio-economic benefits from natural resources The blue offshore area shows MPAs declared for Namibia Case study on the role of Public Participation in development of MPA Zone

SAP Implementation – Progress toward Outcome 3 (i) Sustainable capacity secured for LME management Implement BCC Training and Capacity Building (TCB) Strategy – Support training in EAF, Responsible Fisheries (training of trainers) institutionalised, Fisheries Management Mis- matches pilot training from 24 Oct; TCB strategy review; Partnerships for sustainable CB – At national level: Namibia Fisheries and Maritime Institute, University of Cape Town & Western Cape; University of Namibia; Hake Association of Namibia (MSC certification); Artisanal Fisheries Institute (demo sites); At regional and international level: EAF/Nansen, EU, Danish Technical University, University of Bergen, Consortium of German Universities, University of Tromsø, University of Victoria, Scottish Assoc. of Marine Science Partnerships for LME Management approach - ODIN Africa, GOOS Africa, AU-NEPAD, SADC, Abidjan Convention, ORASECOM, African LME Caucus, EAF/ Nansen, WWF Strategies for sustainable financing – Business Plan and Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Strategy for BCC;

Altered flow of the Orange River impacts on the Orange River Mouth estuary with potential impacts on the BCLME – especially commercially exploited rock lobster. Part of SAP Implementation is to support Govts of Namibia and South Africa to improve the health of the estuary – suggestions to declare as International Transboundary Ramsar site

SAP Implementation – Progress toward Outcome 3 (ii) Sustainable capacity secured for LME management Stakeholder involvement – Since inception – involvement of civil society, industry umbrella bodies/ individual companies, other donor projects, universities/ research institutions, small scale resources users (artisanal fishers, small-scale miners), local and regional NGOs, SADC

SAP Implementation – Progress toward Outcome 4 Capturing and networking of knowledge and best practices Procedure to capture, package and transfer – draft procedure in place and to be tested in Q1 2012; completely revamped DLIST as web-based forum and dissemination mechanism; demo sites under approval for SAP implementation at community level; case study on public participation in MPA development, Results Note finalised and few more underway. Partnerships and networks with relevant initiatives – Africa LME Caucus formalised in May 2011 (2 nd meeting in Jul 2011) – Caucus produced a note submitted to Norway to acknowledge the outstanding work of the Nansen over the past 20 years; Caucus will work together to try securing long-term research/ survey capacity; support each other at regional/ international fora, joint bi-annual newsletter (1 st one out); Other partners: GCC-BCC joint NAP for Angola, Network of Eastern Boundary Upwelling systems, IOI-SA for Ocean Governance capacity, IOC, GOOS Africa, ODIN Africa, Sea Around Us Project (catch data reconstruction), Abidjan Convention, NEPAD-FAO Fish Programme (NFFP), SADC.

Best Practices BCLME Recommended Water Quality guidelines used as the regional standard for impact assessments of marine activities; Scientific collaboration and partnerships facilitate confidence and trust building at management and policy making levels; Interim Agreement served as excellent departure point for Convention development and negotiation; First find out what’s there, what’s been done, who’s doing what before spending money; Mainstreaming Port gives Angolan stakeholders more confidence in the BCC and increased interest; Stakeholder involvement – NISGs Start with elements with the biggest force of influence to secure higher level political buy-in; Collaborate across GEF portfolios with in-country projects; Link project work to national development frameworks to generate further political interest; Invest in well-planned meetings and workshops to achieve results – high cost high output Namibia as neutral and mediating agent Offer a legacy

Challenges Wish list approach – not backed up with support Limited capacity in countries – some agencies being 50% under staffed; Fragmented implementation of different work programmes under the BCC; Increasing admin load; BCC cost not fully integrated into national budgets except for annual dues; Visas required for Angolans to South Africa and vice versa; Core BCC people not always in the know which results in slow progress or inaction; Slow or no responses to recommendations, risk identification and mitigation, etc. No collective and clear strategic path – each element has its own vision; Short lifespan and tonnes to do – institutional development is a process of which the pace is determined by policy makers and/ or managers; No adequate national and regional awareness about the BCC, convention, SAP and their roles and impact on people’s lives.

“Resource management is NOT about managing natural resources – you CANNOT manage fish or oil [Unless you speak “fish” or “oil”] – it is about generating awareness, sharing information, involving and empowering people to understand the impacts of their interaction on the environment and to participate in planning and decision making” In line with the 1992 SD conference take-home message.

Thank you! Muito obrigado!