LGN Workshop - The Role of Local Governments in Sustainable Fisheries Management in Coral Triangle Areas, Jakarta, Indonesia

About This Event

The Coral Triangle (CT) is an expanse of ocean covering 5.7million sq. km and is considered the epicenter of marine life abundance and biodiversity on the planet. Natural processes, however such as wave action and storm surges as well as human activities-reef dynamiting and cyanide poisoning for fish, sand mining for construction, reef breaking for corals and pollution from land-based sources have resulted in the continuing loss of valuable coastal habitats, particularly coral reefs, and consequent economic and social losses. In addition, climate change impacts have adversely affected marine and coastal resources. Coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangroves, and coastal ecosystems are vulnerable to elevated sea temperature and increase intensity of sea storms. While rise in sea level and flooding degrade coastal land and freshwater resources, displace populations and cause economic hardships to large sections of the local communities in CT countries. In addition to resource degradation and poverty issues, there are policy, legal, and institutional constraints affecting resource management in the CT coastal areas. While environmental and resource management policies and laws that meet the basic instruments of coastal resource management are in place in the CT countries, these are not fully and effectively implement due to lack of budgetary resources and weaknesses among government agencies at the national and local governments.

In 2009, member nations of the Coral Triangle have committed to implement the Five Goals of the CTI Regional (RPOA) and National Plans of Action (NPOA). The five conservation goals laid out in the RPOA present clear goals and targets necessary to achieve local, national and regional outcomes within 10 to 15 years. These five CTI goals are Goal 1. Priority Seascapes Designed and Effectively Managed; Goal 2. Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) and Other Marine Resources Fully Applied; Goal 3. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Established and Effectively Managed; Goal 4. Climate Change Adaptation Measures Achieved; Goal 5. Threatened Species Status Improving

Established in 2011, Maritime Local Government Network of Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (LGN) is intended to mainly support the implementation of the CTI-CFF Goals and Plans. The Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) essentially recognizes the importance of Local Governments (LGs) and communities in coastal and marine management and protection.The role of local governments is of great importance and significance particularly in achieving Goal 2 with the following targets: (1). strong legislative, policy, and regulatory frameworks in place for achieving an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM), (2). Improved income, livelihoods and food security of an increasingly significant number (trend) of coastal communities across the region through a sustainable coastal fisheries and poverty reduction initiative (“COASTFISH”), (3). Effective measures in place to help ensure exploitation of shared tuna stocks is sustainable, with tuna spawning areas and juvenile growth stages adequately protected, (4). A more effective management and more sustainable trade in live-reef fish and reef-based ornamentals achieved. Most of local governments in the Coral Triangle region have common challenges to achieve the intended Goal 2.

In the light of crucial role of local governments particularly in sustainable fisheries management and generally in coastal and marine management and protection, the Maritime Local Government Network is to conduct a Local Government Network Workshop which will be taking place on 8 May 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and supported by USAID-RDMA, USDOI and CTC, in collaboration with CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat and CTI-CFF NCCs. The workshop is anticipating the valuable attendance of Minister of Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in his capacity as the Chair of National Coordinating Committee of CTI-CFF Indonesia.