1. Global significance of the Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project
EPSC 3
Trang, Thailand, November 2017
Donna Kwan, UN Environment CMS Dugong MOU Secretariat

2. 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)

3. CMS Dugong MOU Non-legally binding instrument
Promotes internationally coordinated actions to ensure the conservation of dugongs and their seagrass habitats
26 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 Technical Group: advisors provides multi-disciplinary technical expertise

4. Conservation efforts since 2009
Dugong, Seagrass and Coastal Communities Initiative
Launched in February 2012: gong%20Initiative%20Brochure.pdf
Implementation framework to develop and implement conservation tools and pilot projects that demonstrate how innovative partnerships can combine conservation efforts, sustainable development and financial.
The core activities include:
CMS Dugong MOU Questionnaire
GEF-5 Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project
Global Dugong Genetics Project
Conservation Incentive Pilot Projects.

5. Trang Pilot Project
Trang Province is a model location for dugong and seagrass conservation.
Trang Action Plan
Dugong MOU supported the development of the Trang Action Plan for Dugong and Seagrass Conservation by Save Andaman Network
Action Plan has been endorsed by the Provincial Government and is awaiting endorsement by the National Government.
Pilot Incentive Project
Explore ecotourism opportunities which focus on marine and coastal conservation.
Diversify livelihood opportunities to reduce fishing pressure on dugongs:
Engage community to develop tourism activities
Partnership with SAN, Minor Group/Anantara Resorts & Hotels, EnerGaia, Indian Ocean Trepang
Conceptual basis for IKI proposal
Donna – not sure if you wanted an example of an incentive pilot project?? I have included this just in case

6. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Project www.thegef.org
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

7. GEF Project Legacy: From Project to Partnership
The GEF Project has catalyzed some amazing projects – these need longevity and to create a legacy at the national level. This requires support from all levels of government and within policy.
Successful conservation needs site-based engagement at the community level that is sustained long-term (i.e. continued after the GEF Project ends).
For coastal communities, the objectives are broader than biodiversity conservation. Food security and/or improved livelihoods must also be delivered.
When designing a project, realistic and practical objectives which match partner capacity (i.e. technical, resources etc.) need to be set.
When working with multiple partners, it’s important to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal.
Provision and update of technical guidance is needed at all stages of project implementation to ensure ongoing and enduring relationships between local and international expertise.
Awareness raising and incentive activities need to be tailored and appropriate to the needs of local communities – conditional on conservation outcomes.
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.

8. GEF Project Legacy: Next steps
For Partners
Make the most of what you have achieved – keep going with your dugong and seagrass conservation work.
Share your skills and expertise with others.
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
Continue to nurture your relationships with the Dugong Technical Group as well as other local, regional and international technical experts.
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)

9. GEF Project Legacy: Next steps
For the Project
Make the most of the resources developed by the Project
Logo
Website
Other content
Update the status of the GEF Project countries
2002 UNEP Dugong Action Plan
Who should be responsible for the legacy of the GEF Project?
Partners
MBZ Fund
CMS Dugong MOU Secretariat
For the CMS Dugong MOU Secretariat
Continue to build on the legacy of the GEF Project to leverage further funding for dugong and seagrass conservation.
Continue to facilitate technical support for Project Partners.

10. 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.
Pending final approval from International Climate Initiative (IKI)
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.

11. Future priorities Incentive based projects
South East Andaman Community Tourism Initiative
Alternative livelihoods – eg, EnerGaia, Indian Ocean Trepang
Regional collaboration
IKI Project
Building range state capacity to utilise existing and new tools and resources
Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit (
CMS Dugong MOU Standardised Dugong Catch and Bycatch Questionnaire
Partnerships
Corporate sector / Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes
GEF Project website (
Leveraging for new partnerships

12. Future priorities Capacity building Training and workshops
Technical advice (Dugong Technical Group)
Encouraging and enabling collaboration and cooperation across Range States
Fundraising
Language (in support of ecotourism and other fundraising opportunities)
Innovative Exchanges – promotion and sharing between communities/countries
© Edwin Grandcourt
© Mandy Etpison
© Josh Donlan

13. Questions