1. Reef Check Key examples: of “add-on” activities for reefcheck MPA / Marine sanctuary / park establishment Mactraq Coral planting Divers Fees / user fees Socmon

2. Why have – Add ons? To add to the interest in conducting reefcheck To ensure that we not only assist in the evaluation but also selected implementation To increase awareness and other activities related to reef management Reefcheck is just the beginning of reef management, there is plenty more activities out there

3. Going back to the first day – CRM planning presentation We noted that CRM was a cyclical process and that reefcheck can assist in monitoring and evaluating not only reefs, but changes over time – and therefore coastal management interventions

4. 8. Update Information Base 7. Monitor and Evaluate Results 3. Formulate Management Policies Goals and Objectives 4. Develop Strategies and Actions 5. Test Strategies and Actions 6. Implement Actions through Projects 2. Prioritize Issues Continue Cycle Refine Issues Refine Policies and Objectives Improve Strategies and Actions Implement Strategies and Actions 1. Collect Baseline Information and Develop Database Fig. 1. Basic Planning and Implementation Cycle Reefcheck

5. Marine Protected Area (MPA) “Any specific marine area which has been reserved by law or other effective means and is governed by specific rules or guidelines to manage activities and protect part or the entire enclosed coastal and marine environment.” SanctuarySanctuary “An MPA where all extractive practices, such as fishing, shell collection, seaweed gleaning, and collecting of anything else is prohibited. It also allows for control of other human activities, including access, in order to protect the ecosystem within the specific site.”

6. Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) One of the fastest growing management interventions in the world The favorite tool of most coastal managers Because it is: Easy and simple to establish and management unlike other tools Proven to work Has many positive impacts on coral reefs and related habitats

7. ReserveReserve Marine Park ‘An MPA where strict sanctuary conditions are not mandated for the entire area yet there is still a desire to control access and activities, such as boating, mooring, and various fishing techniques. It allows for zones that include a sanctuary area.” “An MPA where multiple uses are encouraged that emphasize education, recreation, and preservation; usually implemented by zonation schemes that can include a sanctuary area (White 1988).”

8. Objectives of Marine Protected Areas Possible Objectives for establishing MPAs adapted from R.V. Salm, John Clark and Erkki Siirila (2000)  Preservation of biodiversity and genetic biodiversity  Conserving ecosystems and maintaining ecological processes  Sustainable use of resources  Protecting commercially valuable species  Replenish depleted stocks  Education and Research  Protection from natural hazards  Recreation and Tourism  Multiple Objective MPAs

9.  Participation and Equity What do stakeholders want?  Feasibility (realistic) Size, area etc.?  Sustainability How to try and make it as sustainable as possible  Use Adaptive Management Project Cycle (ensures better monitoring and lessons to be learned) and keep referring back to the plan and adjusting as you go along Considerations for choosing management objectives:

10. Benefits of Reserves 1. Increased spawning stock 2. Increased spawning per unit stock 3. “Spillover” – Enhanced catches close to reserves 4. Migratory species also benefit 5. Improved habitats, increased productivity and carrying capacity 6. Maintained genetic diversity within stocks 7. Enhanced biodiversity and species protection 8. Reduced conflict among fishery sectors and between fisheries and other uses

11. Dispersal of Fish and Larvae from the Sanctuary of a Marine Reserve Bohonsack 1990

12. Change in Fish Yield Reported for Sumilon and Apo Island from 1976 through 1986, reflecting the effects of different management regimes White 1989

13.  Reasonable quality of resources, if habitat is poor, make it bigger and include more habitats  Management committee organized and active with clearly defined roles and medium term action plan  All sectors have a role in the sanctuary, women, fishers, youth council etc.  At least 60% of community are willing to support the sanctuary  Clear and strict guidelines developed through a series of consultations  Clear, delineated and marked boundaries and zones with guidelines on the use of each zone  Clear, attractive, well positioned and in local dialect, signboards Attributes of a good MPA

14.  Need a good initiator/facilitator with experience in implementation of coastal projects  Counterparting of resources and involvement of all agencies with a mandate  Involvement of all sectors of community and municipality – Co- management  Continuous IEC  Clear and strict guidelines for the sanctuary  A good management committee is established with clear management plan  Full time guarding and patrolling  Aware and well-informed community  Budget allocated for future years  Variety of strong leaders in the community as well as second liners Factors of the Success of MPA

15.  Slowly – go at the pace of the community  If there are problems go back a step and start again  Need a good area which will give some impact within 6 months to one year  Strong IEC even after establishment  It is a process which takes 6 months to two years to implement  Include large buffer zone with restricted fishing gears  Include landward section and other habitats in the area  Monitor it !  Have a formal launching ceremony  Be open to offer Technical assistance even after establishment  Staff should have a technical background  Make the guardhouse an education center  Make the sanctuary a showcase with other visitors if it is doing well Lessons learned and recommendations

16. Role of Reefcheck in MPA establishment 1.Help establish a baseline of the state of the area for feedback to local community and govt officials 2.Help establish which site is best for the MPA 3.Help to facilitate collaboration of different groups, local communities and government officials during the reefcheck 4.Help to monitor the impact of the sanctuary over time and identify whether it is working (management) or not 5.If you work with local divers / tourism industry can establish park / user fees very easily as well as helping to guard the area

17. Classic CDF- Reefcheck Phils process of establishment of an MPA (one year) 1.Initial request from government or local community 2.Information Education and Communication workshop to explain what MPAs are 3.Reefcheck – baseline and site selection 4.SocMon – social monitoring of resource users 5.Presentation of results to community and govt officials for their opinion 6.Cross visit to local MPA already established 7.Ordinance / law passing / launching program 8.Prepare management plan for the MPA 9.Management and enforcement / training of enforcers 10.Introduction of user fees / dive fees to facilitate management costs in the future