Beyond the GEF Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project Bali, Indonesia, 28 February 2019 Donna Kwan, UN Environment CMS Dugong MOU Secretariat

Convention on Migratory Species The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Legally binding environmental treaty administered under the UN Environment Programme (UN Environment) Global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats CMS Office - Abu Dhabi Funded by United Arab Emirates Government Hosted by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) Provides Secretariat support to: MOU on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and their Habitats throughout their Range (Dugong MOU) MOU on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Birds of Prey (Raptors MOU)

CMS Dugong MOU Non-legally binding instrument Promotes internationally coordinated actions to ensure the conservation of dugongs and their seagrass habitats 27 Signatories 46 Range States Guided by the Conservation and Management Plan (CMP) Developed to support the implementation of the Dugong MOU. Aim is to address the conservation of dugongs and seagrasses, including via awareness and education, cross-cutting issues and enhancing cooperation on national, regional and international scales. The Secretariat facilitates and coordinates global cooperation for dugong and seagrass conservation, including raising funds for conservation.

Dugong, Seagrass and Coastal Communities Initiative Launched in February 2012 Framework to support implementation of the CMP: develop and implement conservation tools pilot projects that demonstrate how innovative partnerships can combine conservation efforts, sustainable development and financial investment Main activities include: Conservation Incentive Pilot Projects (2012 - ongoing) CMS Dugong MOU Standardised Dugong Catch and Bycatch Questionnaire (CMS Dugong MOU Questionnaire) (2010 - ongoing) Global Dugong Genetics Project (2010 - ongoing) GEF-5 Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project (2015 - 2019) IKI Seagrass Ecosystem Services Project (2019 - 2022)

Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit Decision support tool for research into dugongs, seagrasses and associated human communities. Developed by Dugong Technical Group. Audience: marine natural resource managers, decision- makers (government and non-government) and researchers. Purpose: to standardise data sets and methods across countries. to allow for better comparison of global dugong and seagrass conservation status. to ensure that researchers consider the connectedness of dugongs, seagrasses and human communities. www.conservation.tools 1,038 New users since the launch in March 2017 from 81 countries

The GEF Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project Overview of Project Development Timeline and Key Dates February 2013: GEF International Workshop June 2012: Approval of PIF and PPG grant June 2013: Solomon Islands joined February to June 2011: Developed Project Identification Form (PIF) 2011 2012 2013 2014 June 2013: ProDoc reviewed by Project Partners October-November 2012: National Meetings September 2012-April 2013: Develop and agree activities September 2013: Submission of draft ProDoc to UNEP July 2011-June 2012: PIF circulated to potential Country Partners October 2013: Revise ProDoc 7 Country Partners 5 November 2013: Submission of ProDoc and CEO ER to GEFSEC

GEF Project Legacy: Lessons Learned Realistic and practical objectives which match partner capacity (ie,. technical, resources etc) Conservation of biodiversity AND food security and/or improved livelihoods – conservation incentives must be tailored Forging “partnerships” with local communities is KEY (with national government and other stakeholder /sector support) vanderPloeg 2017 (1223) BDM Provision and uptake of technical guidance needed at all stages of project implementation – ensure ongoing and enduring relationships between local and international expertise Tailored and appropriate education & awareness raising which meets needs of local communities. Community engagement For example: Madagascar and Mozambique noted that community involvement and stewardship is key to the success of the project. Food Security and Alternative Livelihoods For example: Sri Lanka, Mozambique and Indonesia explicitly highlight that communities need alternative livelihoods and food security, as well as awareness raising activities. Indonesia – communities need capacity building to provide them with alternative livelihoods and help to establish social enterprises. Longevity and Legacy For example: Integration of data/outcomes into policy is a key component of conservation. Need political support to achieve this. Madagascar noted that a shortage of support at all the right levels, particularly in enforcement, can hinder the success of protected areas and other management policies. Project Design For example: Mozambique noted that projects need to be well researched and scoped before implementation. The lack of this has resulted in difficulties implementing the incentive projects in that country. Technical advice For example: using aerial survey, satellite imagery, genetic techniques can be complex and require specialized knowledge to ensure that the methods used are standardised and replicable. Awareness and Incentives This is perhaps an area where partners needed greater guidance/assistance and is key to successful conservation. C3 – Duck farming (Madagascar)

Project Legacy: Next steps for Project Partners Reflect on achievements – Challenge to next level Share your skills/expertise with others ie., to use appropriate and replicable methods for other contexts Take appropriate action to ensure conservation & policy outcomes, eg. mobilise support & engagement (local communities, business, science, policy makers) vanderPloeg 2017 (1223) BDM DSCP-Indonesia Implementing Partners EWT – Fish processing (Mozambique) C3 – School book delivery (Madagascar)

GEF Project Legacy: Next steps For Partners Non-Signatories to sign the CMS Dugong MOU – this project is already implementing the MOU and the CMP. Use the Tools available to you: Seagrass-Watch CMS Dugong MOU Questionnaire Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit Remember you are part of the Dugong and Seagrass Community (Secretariat, Technical support, resources) Keep the National Facilitating Committee functioning and useful What other enduring actions/lessons from the GEF Project legacy? vanderPloeg 2017 (1223) BDM DSCP-Indonesia Implementing Partners Use your data to inform policy and encourage your governments to sign the MOU. Collect and store you data somewhere where it can be easily accessed e.g. MZ – data hosted by dugongus, ID – data hosted by LIPI, stranding data hosted by Whale Stranding Indonesia Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit – help you to determine the most appropriate tool or technique to use to answer your research question – you want to make sure that the data you are collecting is standardised and replicable, the Toolkit can help with this. CMS Dugong MOU Questionnaire – free to use and very low cost to implement The Dugong MOU Secretariat has a large network of technical advisors outside of the Dugong Technical Group – we can put you in touch with the best person to help with your projects. EWT – Fish processing (Mozambique)

Global dugong conservation into the future CMS Dugong MOU Secretariat role Building on the legacy of the GEF and other projects Broadening focus from single species/habitat conservation to consider communities and ecosystem based management. Flagship Project (2019-2022) Regional project in South East Asia Community capacity to monitor dugongs and seagrass, and evaluate seagrass ecosystem services. Implement business models Business models may be replicable and useful for GEF Project Partners to consider in the future.

Future priorities – Conservation of seagrass ecosystems Business Models Seagrass Ecosystem Services Sustainable funding for conservation Ecotourism Aquaculture Build local community capacity to protect, monitor, restore and conserve seagrass ecosystem services $$ Sustainable Development Improve livelihoods and create economic opportunity $$ Conservation Tools Community based/participatory Technical Advice Dugong Conservation Minimise bycatch and threats Dugong Range States (46) = 161,496 km2   Pacific Islands (5) = 2,444 km2 Dugong Technical Group Business development Marine Protected Areas Seagrass-Watch CMS Dugong MOU Catch and Bycatch Questionnaire Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit Fisheries Management Education and Awareness

Future priorities Regional collaboration– promotion and sharing between communities/countries IKI Project Bazaruto Archipelago – need resources Pacific Islands – need resources Building range state capacity to utilise existing and new tools and resources Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit (www.conservation.tools) CMS Dugong MOU Standardised Dugong Catch and Bycatch Questionnaire Partnerships Leveraging for new partnerships

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