secretariat of the pacific regional environment programme report from the pacific region...

Secretariat of the PacificRegionalEnvironmentProgramme

Report from the Pacific region

• Presentation on regional context and SPREP activities-Dominique Benzaken, SPREP

• Presentation on the Coral Reef Initative in the south pacific (CRISP) Eric clua, AFD coordinator

• Presentation on SPC Reef fisheries observatory activities -Being Yeeting, SPC

• Comments from Pacific countries and open Forum


Coral reefs and associated systems –Regional perspective

Dominique BenzakenCoastal management adviser


Outline of presentation

• Island environment and lifestyles• Policy guidance -International • Regional priorities• SPREP activities• Challenges, gaps and opportunities• Concluding remarks


Island environments and lifestyle• Islands environments is basis of island life• Over the years, decline in island resources

(eg less fish, fresh water, mangroves and forests, more waste, dirty waters, invasive plants and animals)

• Why? • More people and changes in lifestyles

and needs driving overuse of island resources

• Small and fragile island environments and economies

• Ability to respond to change


International context• Mauritius strategy

• Blue print for sustainable development of island countries (environment, economic, society)

• Integration of biodiversity into National sustainable development Strategies (NSDSs) to promote sustainable use of biodiversity

• Focus on governance, partnerships and Integrated management systems of coastal, marine and freshwater and biodiversity resources

• Island biodiversity programme of work• Sets targets for 2010 for conservation and sustainable

use• National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP)• mainstream island biodiversity into sustainable

development strategies


Regional priorities and partnerships• Pacific Plan endorsed by Pacific Islands

leaders Forum• To improve regional coordination on sustainable

development (reference to biodiversity protection and sustainable use)

• Action Strategy for Nature conservation in the Pacific Islands 2003-2007 –• Targets and actions for environment, society and economy

Roundtable: government, NGO partnership• Pacific Islands regional Oceans Policy and

framework for Integrated Strategic Action• To ensure the future sustainable use of our oceans and

its resources by pacific Islands communities and external partners. Marine Sector Working Group


SPREP at a glance

• Established under the SPREP Convention• Environment Ministers’ Forum and Meeting of

Officials• Secretariat to the Apia/SPREP convention • 25 member countries (PICTs including French

territories, OZ, NZ US, France as observer)• “to promote cooperation in the Pacific islands

region and to provide assistance in order to protect and improve the environment and to ensure sustainable development for present and future generations”


SPREP strategic framework• Action Plan for managing the

environment if the Pacific island Region 2005-2009• “People of the Pacific islands better able to plan,

protect, manage and use their environment for sustainable development”

• Strategic Programmes 2004-2013• Island Ecosystems (terrestrial, coastal and marine

ecosystems, species of special interest)• Pacific Futures (climate change, waste management

and marine pollution, sustainable development)


Coastal and marine ecosystemsObjective“promote and support the sustainable management

and conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems and marine species of special interest”

Key activities• ICRAN funded SPREP component of Coral Reef

Initiative in the South Pacific (CRISP) • Regional initiative under Ramsar• CMS MoU on marine Mammals • Year of the sea Turtle 2006• Progressing the regional oceans policy through the

MSWG


SPREP and CRISPApproach: • Work closely with CRISP partners• Facilitate on going national engagement in CRISP • Build on existing knowledge/successes/lessons learnt• Equip SPREP countries to maximise benefits of CRISP initiativeFocus of SPREP action:• Capacity for integrated governance of coastal and marine

resources at national level• Increase profile&integration of coastal and marine resources in

sustainable development agendas with policy makers• Dissemination of CRISP and results/know how to policy

makers and coastal managers• Capacity and access to appropriate methodologies

&technologies (Knowledge/training/networks/livelihoods)


Challenges, gaps and opportunitiesIntegration of biodiversity and sustainable

resource management at regional and national levels

• Improve regional coordination through Pacific Forum marine Sector working group

• Promote the incorporation of regional oceans policy principles into National sustainable Development Strategies

• Improve national capacity for effective integration at national levelSustainability of community based initiatives • Facilitate and support development of policy and legislative

framework for long term support (eg networks of MPA)• Encourage government/community partnerships• Sustainable livelihoods• Strengthening community based institutions and traditional

management systems


Challenges, issues and opportunities

Areas needed support and greater coordination

• Climate change (Resilience, Adaptability of management systems)

• Marine invasive species management• land based marine pollution (Hilltops2oceans)

Emerging issues• Oceans/High seas biodiversity (Seamounds, valuing

oceans, access and benefit sharing, C credits)


Concluding remarksRegional partnerships key mechanism• for effective integration of protection of

biodiversity and sustainable resource use• To engage countries in setting the regional agenda

on common and transboundary issues• To engage broad range of regional and

international partners (eg private sector, churches)• To facilitate access to resources egRegional partnerships on oceans policy and Action

Strategy on Nature Conservation


Concluding remarks

Expectations from ICRI• Greater strategic focus – action orientation• Greater interaction with regional

programmes• Facilitating access to resources (eg

technical, financial)• Support Pacific Island countries in

international fora to implement the region’s priorities and programmes

secretariat of the pacific regional environment programme report from the pacific region...

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