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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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
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15. 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
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16. 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
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17. 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
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18. 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
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19. “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

20. “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

21. “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