Regional Strategic Action Program

Foreword

The Sustainable Fisheries Management Project for the Sulu-Celebes Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (SCS-LME) is the first regional collaborative project of the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion (SSME) Program under the stewardship of the Tri-National Committee (Tri-Com) and is implemented with direct guidance from its Sub-Committee on Sustainable Fisheries. This Program has boldly taken on the colossal task to improve the SCS-LME as part of its noble goal to undertake marine biodiversity conservation in the Sulu and Sulawesi seas. Much support is needed to follow through this important work such as from external resources, informed local participation, and joint action.

This Strategic Action Program (SAP) for the Sulu-Celebes Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (SCS-LME, also known as SSME) is the result of the 3-countries discussions on the follow-up actions to be undertaken on the issues and problems identified during the recent review and update of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the SCS-LME. Focusing on the fisheries as the top priority problem, key stakeholders, experts, and focal government units of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines have formulated solutions and approaches to improve and sustain the small pelagic fisheries of the region using the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) framework.

Forty years ago global marine fisheries used to be productive and healthy. Since then, up to 60% og the 600 marine fish stocks monitored globally by FAO are already fully exploited. With population fast rising, global climate changing, and other pressing anthropogenic impacts, ensuring sustainable fisheries is our best approach to simultaneously address food security. poverty, and environmental protection.

Datuk Rayner Stuel Galid
Director, Department of Fisheries Sabah
Chair, SSME Sub-Committee on Sustainable Fisheries