1. Plenary Session – Policy Component Dugong & Seagrass Conservation Project 3rd Executive Project Steering Committee meeting November, Trang, Thailand

2. Objectives
Review current integration of priorities and measures into relevant policy, planning and regulatory frameworks
Introduce a flexible model for 1) strategic environmental assessment and 2) policy gap analysis that can be used to aid in delivering project outputs (i.e. gaps and recommendations)
Identify critical connections that can create enabling conditions and overcome barriers
Identify effective policy integration and indicators of success (KPIs)
Discuss models through use of case study of Abu Dhabi
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

3. Introduction Outcome Output
Project Component 4 - Mainstreaming of dugong and seagrass conservation priorities into national and regional policies and plans
Conservation priorities and measures for dugongs and their seagrass ecosystems incorporated into relevant policy, planning and regulatory frameworks across the Indian and Pacific Ocean basins.
Outcome
All project countries have: identified policy, planning and regulatory gaps in conservation of dugongs and their seagrass ecosystems, and developed recommendations to address these gaps.
Output
Suggested Activities:
National legislative, policy and regulatory review of gaps and barriers
National workshops and consultation
Development and publication of legal, policy, regulatory and enforcement recommendations (including new/revised protected areas and the recognition and adoption of community-based management at national and local levels)
Preparation and adoption or revision and strengthening of dugong and seagrass national strategies/ action plans

4. Project Indicators Project objective and Outcomes
Description of indicator
Baseline level
Mid-term target
End-of-project target
Level at 30 June 2017
Outcome 4:
Conservation priorities and measures for dugongs and their seagrass ecosystems incorporated into relevant policy, planning and regulatory frameworks across the Indian and Pacific Ocean basins
Progress on implementation of national and regional Strategies/ Action Plans for dugong and seagrass conservation
Five out of eight countries signatories to CMS Dugong MoU;
Three out of eight countries have published national dugong strategy/ action plan, plus two (VU, SB) under regional SPREP Pacific Islands Regional Marine Species Programme)
National Action Plans/ Strategies for dugong and seagrass conservation updated or initiated in 8 countries;
8 NFC established
8 National Action Plans/ Strategies finalised and adopted
At least one more country signs the CMS Dugong MoU
59%
All NFC operational (except for Mozambique)
Draft National Plans/ Strategies updated/ initiated in 3 countries
Incorporation of dugong protection and dugong/ seagrass conservation in other sectors (e.g. fisheries, coastal zone management & regulations)
Environmental protection policies in countries exist but only the environmental legislation of 3 countries (ID, MY and LK) mentions directly the dugongs or seagrass habitats;
Policy gap analysis in 8 countries
Recommendations for at least 3 sectors proposed (tourism, fisheries, environmental protection)
Policy recommendations on dugong and seagrass safeguards and conservation integrated in 3 sectors
Policy gap analysis initiated in 3 countries
Good practices guidelines (drafts) for fishing and tourism developed or in development in 5 countries

5. DPSIR Framework (recommended model)
DPSIR is a causal framework for describing the interactions between society, economy and the environment. For our purposes, it can provide an analytical tool to better understand and prioritize challenges facing dugong and seagrass conservation.
Driving Forces
Societal Responses
State of the Environment
Environmental Pressures
Impact
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

6. DPSIR Framework Benefits
Standardized and repeatable approach, which users can update over time
Flexible with regard to spatial scope, temporal scope and level of detail
Useful for analysis, prioritization, planning and identification of key performance measures
Guides critical thinking about relationships – a form of route cause analysis
Guides the identification of “key” performance indicators
Process reveals data and information gaps, as well as key priorities for response
Enables prioritization of key challenges and assessment of responses
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

7. DPSIR Risks/Pitfalls
Working with inappropriate scope / scale (i.e. spatial, temporal, environmental)
Having key research gaps (i.e. environmental or socio-economic)
Having key monitoring gaps (i.e. pressures and drivers)
Lacking adequate information to establish root cause (i.e. drivers)
Not measuring effectiveness of policy actions (i.e. responses)
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

8. DPSIR and Critical Thinking
DPSIR framework drives logical and critical analysis:
Ask why three times – root cause tool
Ask for quantification of claims
Ask for evidence, rather than accepting assumptions
Capture all information but prioritize the key findings
D-P-S-I-R
Driver-economic growth (port development)
Pressure-dredging
State-seagrass loss
Impact-productivity decline (fisheries)
Response-higher port fees, permitting guidelines, habitat restoration
Driving Forces
Societal Responses
State of the Environment
Environmental Pressures
Impact
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

9. DPSIR and Information Gaps
DPSIR framework often reveals gaps (some important and some not):
Environmental status and trend gaps
Environmental monitoring gaps
Gaps in understanding pressures (often non-environmental)
Gaps in understanding drivers (most often non-environmental)
Gaps in impacts are common (e.g. economic impacts of environmental change)
Gaps can contribute to research agenda, monitoring programs, collaboration building and response priorities
Capture all the gaps but prioritize investments in closing gaps
Don’t delay action, just because gaps are present!
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

10. DPSIR and Response Identification
DPSIR framework should capture “existing” responses:
Consider all types of responses (see “what is policy” slide)
Regulation and compliance
Planning
Financial
Behavior change
Provision of alternatives
Capture details for responses to the “key” pressures and drivers identified
DPSIR is not a substitute for policy gap analysis
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

11. DPSIR and Key Performance Measures
DPSIR framework can improve performance management (better, not more):
Select “key” performance measures (perhaps eliminating others)
Select performance measures around each DPSIR element to monitor “dynamics”
Understand your KPIs (i.e. definition sheet/catalog)
Measure effectiveness of responses (continue effective interventions)

12. Policy Gap Analysis (i.e. Assessing Responses)
Policy Gap Analysis is a review of existing “policy” (and the identification of barriers to successful implementation) to respond to the key drivers, pressures and/or impacts identified
Many different examples of policy gap analysis
Template provided is streamlined approach that builds on DPSIR analysis
Question driven, and assesses 1) presence and 2) effectiveness
Gaps and barriers can be addressed with new or amended policy responses
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

13. What is “Policy”
Policy – Principle and practice that guides decisions in order to achieve desired goals and outcomes (For this project, policy also includes “non-regulatory” and “non-governmental” responses that appropriately respond to identified drivers, pressures or impacts.)
Category
Examples
Regulation & Compliance
Legal Framework - Laws, Regulations & Standards, Standard Operating Procedures & Codes of Practice, MPA Establishment
Enforcement Regime - Permits, Inspections, Patrols, Violations, Penalties
Planning
Spatial Plans, Strategies, Conservation Action Plans, MPA Management Plans, Green Papers, White Papers
Financial
Budget Allocations, Loan Guarantees, Subsidies, Boat or Gear Buy-backs, Fish Catch or Tourism Allocations, Informant Rewards, Ghost Net Rewards
Behavior Change
Public Education, Outreach Campaigns, Product Labeling Schemes, Method Trainers, Community Empowerment
Provision of Alternatives
Sector Investments, Sustainability Assessments, Incentive Measures, Retraining Programs
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

14. Policy Management Cycle
DPSIR Analysis
- 1 -
Issue identification & characterization
- 2 -
Identification and analysis of policies and instruments
- 3 -
Drafting of policy and instruments
- 5 -
Decision making and approval
- 6 -
Implementation of policy and instruments
- 7 -
Evaluation of policy and instruments
Measuring Effectiveness
Gap Analysis & Recommendations
- 4 – Stakeholder consultation
Policy Integration
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

15. Case Study – Abu Dhabi

16. Template - DPSIR Assessment for Dugong
Drivers
Pressure
State
Impact
Response
Root Causes (only for key pressures)
Key Performance Indicator –
Incidental By-catch
Hunting
Boat Strikes
Excessive Tourist Interaction
Population Status
Population Trends
Population Composition / Recruitment Levels
Mortality Events and Trends
Environmental Impacts (from loss)
Social Cultural Impacts (from loss)
Economic Impacts (from loss)
Legal Framework - Laws, Regulations & Standards, Standard Operating Procedures & Codes of Practice, MPA Establishment
Enforcement Regime - Permits, Inspections, Patrols, Violations, Penalties
Planning - Spatial Plans, Strategies, Conservation Action Plans, MPA Management Plans, Green Papers, White Papers
Financial - Budget Allocations, Loan Guarantees, Subsidies, Boat or Gear Buy-backs, Fish Catch or Tourism Allocations, Informant Rewards, Ghost Net Rewards
Behavior Change - Public Education, Outreach Campaigns, Product Labeling Schemes, Method Trainers, Community Empowerment
Provision of Alternatives - Sector Investments, Sustainability Assessments, Incentive Measures, Retraining Programs

17. Case Study – DPSIR (Abu Dhabi)
Sequence of Completing Template:
Status and Trends
Impacts
Pressures
Drivers
Responses
Key Performance Metrics
(throughout capture gaps in research, monitoring, understanding etc)
Steps Required:
Separated dugong and seagrass habitat work
Collected available data and information
Workshop I – Introduce template and fill data gaps
Assembled DPSIR (highlighting questions and information requests)
Workshop II – Validate DPSIR and captures existing responses
Follow-up and completion via
(only then is Policy Gap Analysis is possible)
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

18. DPSIR (Abu Dhabi) – Status and Trends

19. DPSIR (Abu Dhabi) – Status and Trends

20. DPSIR (Abu Dhabi) – Pressures and Drivers

21. DPSIR (Abu Dhabi) – Existing Responses
Law 23 (1999) as amended (2007) (Bylaw 302 (2001)
Article 21 “”forbidden to use drifting nets (Hiyali) whatsoever”.
Article 41, “illegal to catch dugong” “if caught by fishermen, must release”
Article 44 “illegal to extract eggs, skins, fins or body parts”
Articles 53 & 54 contain relevant liabilities and penalties.
Law 23 (1999) as amended (2007) (Bylaw 302 (2001)
Article 21 “”forbidden to use drifting nets (Hiyali) whatsoever”.
Article 41, “illegal to catch dugong” “if caught by fishermen, must release”
Article 44 “illegal to extract eggs, skins, fins or body parts”
Articles 53 & 54 contain relevant liabilities and penalties.

22. DPSIR (Abu Dhabi) – Key Gaps (examples)
Seagrass Habitat
Baseline Information - Extent of seagrass habitat (below 8m)
Monitoring Gap - Trends of seagrass habitat extent
Monitoring Gap – Quantity of seagrass habitat lost through development and dredging
Dugong
Research Gap – Validation of drivers of illegal fishing behavior
Monitoring Gap – Enforcement and compliance levels
Research Gap - Type of vessels, locations and circumstance around boat strikes

23. Template – PGA for Dugong
Policy Gap Analysis for Dugong -
Key Pressure(s) from DPSIR
Response (Policy) Category
Response - Detail
Sample Questions (Assessing 1) presence and 2) effectiveness
Yes / No
Gap / Action Required
Presence
Mortality data over 17 years indicates drowning in abandoned, lost and/or illegal fishing nets as the greatest cause of mortality at 69.7 %
Regulations and Compliance
Legislation - specific to protecting dugongs
Are dugongs protected by law?
Legislation specific to the pressure
Is illegal fishing defined in law?
Regulation
Are detailed regulations present making the law legally enforceable?
Penalties and deterrents
Are penalties for illegal fishing and killing dugongs codified in law?
Effectiveness
Enforcement
Is the entity responsible for enforcement, identified in the regulations, trained, motivated and resourced to carry out enforcement action?
Are penalties sever enough to act as a deterrent i.e. are fines significantly greater than the value of a dugong?
Judicial action
Is the judiciary trained in environmental law and using the law to create a deterrent?
Planning
Master planning
Is a coastal/maritime master planning process conducted in country?
Environmental Assessment
Are Environmental Impact Assessments conducted for coastal development projects?
Protected areas designation
Have protected areas been established for the protection of dugong and sea grass?
Fishing restrictions
Have no fishing zones been established to protect dugong or closed seasons?
Are master plans approved by the Government and implemented?
Protected areas management
Data provision
Is dugong and sea grass data provided into the planning process?
Mitigation
In the planning process are steps taken to avoid or mitigate additional pressure on dugong or sea grass?
Financial
Net exchange scheme
Is a fishing net exchange scheme in place where financial support is provided to replace old or damaged nets providing the old one is returned to prevent ghost fishing?
Behavior Change
Stakeholder identification
Have the key stakeholders (fisherman and fishing boat owners) been identified?
Stakeholder engagement
Has a stakeholder engagement plan been developed and executed?
Awareness raising
Do fishermen and fishing boat owners understand the fishing laws and penalties and the impacts of illegal activity?
Behavior change
Have behavior change indicators been identified and is performance assessed?
Provision of Alternatives
Provision of alternative sources of food or income
Do stakeholders rely on illegal fishing to meet their basic needs for food or income?
Do stakeholders rely on catching dugong to meet their basic needs for food or income?

24. Case Study – PGA (Abu Dhabi)
Sequence of Completing Template:
Identify the 1-2 key pressures, drivers or impacts from DPSIR
Identify existing responses from DPSIR analysis
Allow questions within template to provoke analysis of presence and effectiveness
Document policy gaps (i.e. its not there) and effectiveness gaps (i.e. its not working)
Where gaps or barriers are identified, then response recommendations (i.e. actions) were developed
Steps Required:
Workshop II – Validate DPSIR & Capture Responses
Collected detailed information regarding policy instruments
follow-up regarding questions and recommendations (Could be done as workshop)
Assembled PGA
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

25. PGA (Abu Dhabi) – Presence Gaps (Examples)
Policy Gaps (Examples):
Stakeholder engagement and outreach plan for fishermen
National Conservation Management Plan
Approved Master Plans (protecting seagrass habitat)
Approved MPA Management Plans (with clear monitoring and enforcement regimes)
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

26. PGA (Abu Dhabi) – Effectiveness Gaps (Examples)
Response Effectiveness Gaps (Examples):
Effective enforcement over illegal fishing
Awareness and/or compliance with fishing regulations
Effective consideration of seagrass protection in master planning processes
Compliance with permitting processes for dredging activities
Effective monitoring and regulatory regimes for MPAs
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

27. Discussion
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

28. Next Steps DPSIR for Dugong (project-level)
DPSIR for Seagrass Habitat (project-level)
Policy Gap Analysis for Dugong (project-level)
Policy Gap Analysis for Seagrass Habitat (project-level)
GEF Project Policy Gap Assessment (Cross-country Policy Gap Assessment)
Materials Provided
Presentation Slides
Case Study (Abu Dhabi)
DPSIR for Dugong
DPSIR for Seagrass Habitat
Policy Gap Analysis for Dugong
Policy Gap Analysis for Seagrass Habitat
Templates
DPSIR Template
Policy Gap Analysis Template
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

29. Contact Information
how protection has been/ is/ is to be insured

31. Indicator Catalog Indicator Indicator Title Theme
Air quality/Water/Climate Change/Biodiversity/Marine water quality/Waste
Brief Definition
Provide brief definition on the indicator, the definition should show what is included in the calculation
Purpose
Why this indicator is relevant?
Unit of Measurement
(e.g. km2 , number of individuals, % change)
Calculation Method
It should explain how was the indicator measured and show the calculation when possible
Geographical scale
(Global, Regional, National, State/Emirate)
Update Frequency
Every X years, annually, quarterly, monthly, daily
Limitations of the Indicator
Highlight what are major limitation of the reported indicator
Data needed to compile the indicator
Some indicators are reported with single source of data some are more complex show all the data used to compile a particular indicator
Data source
(origins, dates, units, sample size and extent, custodians)
Relevant references
Where can the user obtain additional information and comments

32. Considering Policy Options (PESTLE)