STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WATERS OF THE PACIFIC SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES A programme of the Governments of: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu

SAP to address this through 2 components: ICWM (5 years, SPREP/PCU) and OFM (3 years, FFA and SPC) Formulated in 1997 to address: Degradation of water quality Degradation of associated critical habitats Unsustainable use of resources

Output 1. Effective co-ordination support for enhanced transboundary management regimes – the institutional framework.

Outputs: Improved waste management (4) Effective marine protected areas (4) Better water quality (3) Sustainable fisheries (3) Objective: To promote the integrated sustainable development and management of coastal and watershed resources through demonstration projects that include stakeholder participation. ICWM Component – Output 2

Output: Regional level methodologies and best practices for the conservation and sustainable use of ocean fisheries resources. Objective: To enable the conservation and sustainable yield of ocean living resources OFM Component - Output 3

Start up process - ICZM: Re-affirm priority environmental concerns – linkages to WSSD national assessments, NBSAPs, etc Establish regional consultative arrangements– RTF, inter-agency fora Select focal issue(s) Select pilot site Appoint National Coordinator Formalized arrangements - MoU Establish national consultative arrangements

Strategies and support: Administrative procedures Social Assessment and Participation Strategy Resource Economic Strategy Communication Strategy Public relations Social marketing Education and awareness

Start-up - OFM Existing institutional framework Natural complement to existing processes Address an issue of global significance and critical regional economic interest

OFM Achievements WCPO Tuna Convention, 1995 UN Fish Stocks, all interests engaged, legally binding, precautionary approach, economic responsibility on those that fish, support for SIDS Preparatory Conference – Tuna Commission National reform – complementary - national tuna management plans, fisheries law Improved science – ecosystem approach, reference points, data quality and coverage MCS – observer programmes, VMS, high seas data

Issues and Lessons?

Approval process: Programme formulation – Project Document - early Actual implementation – mid-2001.

Design: The SAP is effectively two Programmes. Opportunities for promoting closer collaboration between regional organisations, but….. …..also presents administrative challenges.

Time frame: 5-year time frame is insufficient for the ICWM community-based component

Assumptions: All countries would implement the Programme simultaneously…….. …….from Programme commencement. Focal areas would match national environmental concerns at implementation Prescriptive allocation of focal areas among demonstration projects (4,4,3,3) would be accommodated

Local approval processes: Memorandum of Understanding approval process. Local implementation: Recruitment of National Coordinators

National Coordinator capacity: Their recruitment. Some require considerable capacity building in core competencies. Time and resources for this

Multi-sectoral consultation: Multi-sectoral dialogue is still in its infancy Such consultation is an integral component of the SAP Requires time and resources.

Community-based approach: Implementation through an inter-governmental agency - community-based approaches present many challenges for most Government agencies. [national interest, non-consultative]

Baseline information: Inadequate TDA – 6 week time frame, urban-based, non-quantitative/anecdotal, no causal chain, no standardized strategy and/or format. Information, generally of questionable quality and limited availability.

Administrative processes: Administrative arrangements - major influence Programme implementation. Local administrative arrangements ensure timely disbursement of Programme resources. Inefficient processes lead to considerable delays that adversely impact on Programme delivery. Implementing agency flexibility

Overall assessment: Solid foundation…….. …….that has taken considerable time to put in place OFM component is setting global precedents, and ICZM implementation only just starting!

More information? ICWM OFM