1. UNEP/GEF Regional Working Group on Fisheries (RWG-F)
REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
Establishing a Regional System of Fisheries Refugia in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand
UNEP/GEF Regional Working Group on Fisheries (RWG-F)

2. Fishing and the Loss of Marine Habitats and Biodiversity
REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
Fishing and the Loss of Marine Habitats and Biodiversity
Regional consensus that fisheries habitats play a critical role in the maintenance of fisheries production, livelihoods, and food security
Estimated decadal rates of loss of fisheries habitats in the South China Sea are high: seagrass (30%), mangroves (16%), and coral reefs (16%)
Fishing identified as a key factor in the continued loss of marine habitats and biodiversity in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand
Key characteristics of Southeast Asian fisheries contributing to loss:
over-capitalisation and over-exploitation,
large numbers of small scale craft and high level community dependence on fish for food and income,
excessively high fishing effort in most inshore areas, and
widespread use of destructive fishing gear and practices.

3. Need for Improved Management of Fish Stock and Habitat Linkages
REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
Need for Improved Management of Fish Stock and Habitat Linkages
The RWG-F identified an urgent need for a regional initiative that fosters improved management of critical fish stocks and habitat linkages
It was noted by the RWG-F that:
Past environment initiatives, such as the development of MPA systems, have been promoted in terms of benefits to fisheries, but have not effectively integrated fisheries issues into overall planning
Sites for marine habitat protection (such as MPAs) have been based on biodiversity rather than fisheries considerations and have had little demonstrable benefit to fish stocks or regional fisheries
Fisheries ministries and departments are focused on sustaining yields in face of high community dependence and participation in small-scale fisheries, and have little experience working with the environment sector
“Prohibition” of fishing in any coastal area is a difficult if not futile task

4. The RWG-F recommended that any mechanism developed should:
REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
Developing a Mechanism for Integrated Fisheries and Habitat Management: the Refugia Concept
The RWG-F recommended that any mechanism developed should:
Focus on maximising the benefit-cost ratio of actions for fishing communities;
Promote sustainable use rather than prohibition of fishing;
Focus on 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
Fisheries Refugia as defined by the RWG-F are “spatially and geographically defined, marine or coastal areas in which specific management measures are applied to sustain important species [fisheries resources] during critical stages of their life-cycle, for their sustainable use”.

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

6. Stakeholder Consultations on Refugia Concept
REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
Stakeholder Consultations on Refugia Concept
Technical Workshops on Mapping Known Refugia
Review of Fish Egg and Larvae Data for Refugia Identification
Conduct of Regional Training on Fish Egg and Larvae Identification

7. Outputs and Outcomes to Date
REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
Outputs and Outcomes to Date
Publication of Regional Guidelines on the Use of Fisheries Refugia in Capture Fisheries Management in the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Regional Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries in Southeast Asia,
Characterisation of 46 sites in the South China Sea known as critical spawning and nursery areas for species of transboundary significance,
Regional agreement on the inclusion of 14 sites in an initial system of fisheries refugia,
Prioritisation of an additional nine sites from the remaining 32 sites for which further information is required prior to inclusion in the regional system,
Production of a regional fisheries refugia information base, and
Inclusion of the refugia concept in National fisheries policies of Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines.