The Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem: from Project to Programme BOBLME Partnerships

Large Marine Ecosystems – TWAP LME risk factors (Transboundary Waters Assessment Project) The BOBLME is one of 64 LME s that have been described LMEs identified on the basis of their bathymetry, hydrography, productivity and trophodynamics 5

Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Major threats: Over-exploitation of fish stocks Habitat degradation Pollution The BOBLME is one of 64 LME s that have been described LMEs identified on the basis of their bathymetry, hydrography, productivity and trophodynamics 5

The Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project (BOBLME) The eight countries of the LME have banded together to adress thee issues and in collaboration with collaborated with partners, developed the BOBLME project. The project is valued at $31 million and started in 2009 and it aim is to To improve the lives of the coastal populations through better regional management of the Bay of Bengal environment and its fisheries 8 countries 6 international partners

The Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Programme (BOBLME) The eight countries of the LME have banded together to adress thee issues and in collaboration with collaborated with partners, developed the BOBLME project. The project is valued at $31 million and started in 2009 and it aim is to To improve the lives of the coastal populations through better regional management of the Bay of Bengal environment and its fisheries 8 countries 6 international partners

BOBLME Phase 1 (2009-2015) was a foundational Project Based on the need to lay the foundations for change, including demonstrations of transboundary cooperation, before implementing a second phase action programme that will lead to the long-term goal relating to an improvement in the health of the Bay of Bengal and its fisheries. BOBLME Phase 1 focused on: developing capacity in natural resources management; increasing knowledge about the ecosystem; promoting regional coordination and cooperation; and starting to improve ecosystem health through transboundary demonstration activities. The project covers a widerange of work The project we are here to talk about today is part of the work addressing land-based sources of pollution

BOBLME Phase 1 Key Achievements Fisheries management Progress towards better management of Indian mackerel, hilsa shad and shark fisheries Capacity development on catch data collection and ecosystem modelling Capacity development on Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) Management; with partners Empowerment of fisher community members for co- management Promotion of small scale fisheries guidelines (VG-SSF) The project covers a widerange of work The project we are here to talk about today is part of the work addressing land-based sources of pollution

BOBLME Phase 1 Key Achievements Critical Habitats Status studies of critical habitats (e.g. coral reefs, seagrass) MPA Atlas and MPA management effectiveness assessments and related capacity development Ecosystem Characterisation of the BOBLME Ecosystem Health card - Chilika Lake, India Pollution National baseline reports on marine pollution Studies on nutrient pollution, tar balls, heavy metals The project covers a widerange of work The project we are here to talk about today is part of the work addressing land-based sources of pollution

Two major outputs A Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis – TDA Review and analysis of the major transboundary issues and their causes A Strategic Action Programme – SAP A (strategic action) plan for addressing the major transboundary issues and their causes Now signed by all 8 countries The project has 2 major outputs

Overall SAP Vision: “A healthy ecosystem and sustainable use of marine living resources for the benefit of the people and countries of the Bay of Bengal LME” 4 Thematic Areas Four SAP Themes: Marine Living Resources Critical Habitats Water Quality Social and Economic Considerations

BOBLME Phase 1 Partnerships 16 National Lead Ministries (Fisheries, Environment) and their various attached agencies International and Regional NGOs (CI, CORIN-Asia, FFI, WWF) Regional and Global Initiatives and Agencies (CTI, GPNM, IOGOOS, IUCN-MFF, NACA, PEMSEA, SACEP, Wetlands Alliance, Delta Alliance) Academic institutions and science providers (UBC-SAUP, U-Vic, WorldFish, USM, numerous universities) Partnership mechanism: Letter of Agreement Agreed outputs: Studies, Reviews, Validation, Training

BOBLME Phase 1 Partnerships UN-Agency partners (UNEP-GPA, COBSEA) Regional Fisheries Management Organization (IOTC), Regional Fisheries Bodies (APFIC, BOBP-IGO, SEAFDEC) Other partners (NOAA, IUCN, SAARC) Partnership mechanism: Letter of Agreement Agreed outputs: Studies, Reviews, Validation, Training

There are 5 BOBLME Programme Components Sustainable management of fisheries Component 2 Restoration and conservation of critical marine habitats and protection of biodiversity Component 3 Management of coastal and marine pollution to improve ecosystem health Component 4 Improved livelihoods and enhanced resilience of the BOBLME Component 5 Regional mechanism for coordination, monitoring and assessment

Component 1: Sustainable management of fisheries (SAP theme 1) Outcome 1.1: The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) Management institutionalized at national level for targeted transboundary fish stocks “Essential EAFM” training Development of EAFM Plans Promotion of Co-Management Outcome 1.2: IUU catch in the BOBLME reduced National and Regional Plans of Action - IUU (NPOA/RPOA-IUU) Strengthening of MCS, Port State Measures (PSM) Capacity development to combat IUU Dropping the Program information for IW and BD

Component 2: Restoration and conservation of critical marine habitats and protection of biodiversity (SAP theme 2) Outcome 2.1: Coastal and Marine Managed Areas (MMAs) contribute to conservation of biodiversity and blue carbon MMAs contribute to conservation of Endangered, Threatened or Protected Species (ETPs), Vulnerable ecosystems (VEs), Blue Carbon Outcome 2.2: National MMAs established/strengthened through improved management effectiveness at national level If additional STAR (or other) funding becomes available, additional child projects will be addedc to the programme Outcome 2.3: Regional consensus and agreements on reduction of threats to marine biodiversity in coastal and open waters RPOA ETP, legislative frameworks Dropping the Program information for IW and BD

Component 3: Management of coastal and marine pollution to improve ecosystem health (SAP theme 3) Outcome 3.1: Pollution from discharge of untreated sewage and wastewater; solid waste and marine litter; and nutrient loading reduced or minimized in selected hotspots in river, coastal and marine waters; promotion of cleaner fishing ports and addressing abandoned fishing gears at 8 hotspots applying ICM approaches Coordination, monitoring, awareness, innovative technology Outcome 3.2: Demonstration investments in eco-waste infrastructure solutions: Mandalay City, Myanmar (ADB) Waste and waste water management, reduced debris and litter emerging in main water courses, information sharing, regional protocols Dropping the Program information for IW and BD

Component 4: Improved livelihoods and enhanced resilience of the BOBLME (SAP theme 4) Outcome 4.1: Enhanced resilience of the BOBLME and reduced vulnerability to natural hazards, climate variability and change of selected coastal communities Ecosystem services valuation, resilience plans, empowerment, gender considerations Outcome 4.2: Enhanced sustainable livelihoods and diversification for selected coastal communities Value chain analysis, alternative livelihoods, financial services, capacity development Dropping the Program information for IW and BD

Component 5: Regional mechanism for planning, coordination, and monitoring of the BOBLME (SAP crosscutting theme) Outcome 5.1: Strengthened institutional mechanisms at regional and national levels for planning, coordination and monitoring of the BOBLME Consortium for the Conservation and Restoration of the BOBLME (CCR-BOBLME), partnership arrangements; inter- sectoral coordination, consultation, base line data Outcome 5.2: Program implementation based on adaptive results-based management Regional information sharing, lessons learnt, IW & LME Learn Monitoring and evaluations Dropping the Program information for IW and BD

“Consortium for the Conservation and Restoration of the BOBLME” (CCR-BOBLME) Strengthened institutional mechanisms at regional and national levels for planning, coordination and monitoring of the BOBLME promote information exchange and capacity development, monitor BOBLME health and status, and monitor progress of the SAP implementation activities and associated (“child”) projects Dropping the Program information for IW and BD

“Consortium for the Conservation and Restoration of the BOBLME” (CCR-BOBLME) Additional implementation modality for the indirect implementation of projects/programs: Operational Partners Implementation Modality (OPIM) This modality is used when a high proportion of total project funds received by FAO is transferred to eligible Operational Partners for implementation of project components Operational Partners can be national government entities, academia, research and scientific institutions, NGOs, UN agencies or non-United Nations multilateral and intergovernmental organizations Dropping the Program information for IW and BD

“Consortium for the Conservation and Restoration of the BOBLME” (CCR-BOBLME) 16 Lead Ministries (Fisheries, Environment) and Agencies Local (decentralized) Government Agencies Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Donor Agencies GEF Agencies UN Environment, UNIDO, IUCN, CI RFBs (Bay of Bengal Programme – IGO, and Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Partnerships with Private Sector /CSOs, Academia, NGOs, Regional Initiatives Dropping the Program information for IW and BD

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