1. Beyond the GEF Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project
Bali, Indonesia, 28 February 2019
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
27 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.

4. Dugong, Seagrass and Coastal Communities Initiative
Launched in February 2012
Framework to support implementation of the CMP:
develop and implement conservation tools
pilot projects that demonstrate how innovative partnerships can combine conservation efforts, sustainable development and financial investment
Main activities include:
Conservation Incentive Pilot Projects ( ongoing)
CMS Dugong MOU Standardised Dugong Catch and Bycatch Questionnaire (CMS Dugong MOU Questionnaire) ( ongoing)
Global Dugong Genetics Project ( ongoing)
GEF-5 Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project ( )
IKI Seagrass Ecosystem Services Project ( )

5. Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit
Decision support tool for research into dugongs, seagrasses and associated human communities.
Developed by Dugong Technical Group.
Audience: marine natural resource managers, decision- makers (government and non-government) and researchers.
Purpose:
to standardise data sets and methods across countries.
to allow for better comparison of global dugong and seagrass conservation status.
to ensure that researchers consider the connectedness of dugongs, seagrasses and human communities.
1,038 New users since the launch in March 2017 from 81 countries

6. The GEF Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project
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: Lessons Learned
Realistic and practical objectives which match partner capacity (ie,. technical, resources etc)
Conservation of biodiversity AND food security and/or improved livelihoods – conservation incentives must be tailored
Forging “partnerships” with local communities is KEY
(with national government and other stakeholder /sector support)
vanderPloeg 2017 (1223) BDM
Provision and uptake of technical guidance needed at all stages of project implementation – ensure ongoing and enduring relationships between local and international expertise
Tailored and appropriate education & awareness raising which meets needs of local communities.
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.
C3 – Duck farming (Madagascar)

8. Project Legacy: Next steps for Project Partners
Reflect on achievements – Challenge to next level
Share your skills/expertise with others ie., to use appropriate and replicable methods for other contexts
Take appropriate action to ensure conservation & policy outcomes, eg. mobilise support & engagement (local communities, business, science, policy makers)
vanderPloeg 2017 (1223) BDM
DSCP-Indonesia Implementing Partners
EWT – Fish processing (Mozambique)
C3 – School book delivery (Madagascar)

9. GEF Project Legacy: Next steps
For Partners
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
Remember you are part of the Dugong and Seagrass Community (Secretariat, Technical support, resources)
Keep the National Facilitating Committee functioning and useful
What other enduring actions/lessons from the GEF Project legacy?
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)

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.
Flagship Project ( )
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 – Conservation of seagrass ecosystems
Business Models
Seagrass Ecosystem Services
Sustainable funding for conservation
Ecotourism
Aquaculture
Build local community capacity to protect, monitor, restore and conserve seagrass ecosystem services $$
Sustainable Development
Improve livelihoods and create economic opportunity $$
Conservation Tools
Community based/participatory
Technical Advice
Dugong Conservation
Minimise bycatch and threats
Dugong Range States (46) = 161,496 km2
Pacific Islands (5) = 2,444 km2
Dugong Technical Group
Business development
Marine Protected Areas
Seagrass-Watch
CMS Dugong MOU Catch and Bycatch Questionnaire
Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit
Fisheries Management
Education and Awareness

12. Future priorities
Regional collaboration– promotion and sharing between communities/countries
IKI Project
Bazaruto Archipelago – need resources
Pacific Islands – need resources
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
Leveraging for new partnerships

13. Questions