The United Nations Development Programme in the Philippines, through the support from Global Environment Facility, partners with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau, to implement the SMARTSeas PH Project, a five-year project (USD 8 million, 2014 to 2019) that aims to accelerate the establishment of marine protected areas and MPA networks to include more marine key biodiversity areas (MKBAs).
Despite multi-sectoral efforts to abate the threats on marine and coastal habitat degradation, big challenges remain at hand including inadequate bio-geographic representation and spatial coverage, insufficient funding for marine conservation efforts, and weak institutional framework that support the conservation, protection, and management of countrys marine ecosystem.
To address these, the Project focuses to achieve three outcomes: 1) improved management effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPA) and MPA network; 2) improved financial sustainability of management of MPA and MPA network; and 3) establish enabling policy framework for marine biodiversity conservation. The three outcomes will capacitate the local government unit leaders and peoples organizations on MPA management by helping them improve their management plans and reactivate the MPA management body. The MPA management plans are inclusive of gender, indigenous people, and climate change adaptation components.
The SMARTSeas PH includes the establishment of biodiversity-friendly enterprise as one of the major results of the project since it aims to provide sustainable alternative livelihood to coastal communities.
Further, local and national policy reviews were conducted to identify the gaps on legal framework that is necessary to sustain the conservation initiatives like SMARTSeas PH. Science-based initiatives are also being conducted including the connectivity study in each site to determine the ecological interconnectedness of the individual MPAs that will form a network.
Progress reports
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Type of commitment
- Community or Locally Managed Marine Areas
- Other (please specify): MPA Network
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
Type of commitment
- Compliance, monitoring and enforcement
- Reduction and elimination fishing practices and gear that destroy/degrade marine habitat
- Science-based fisheries management plans
- Ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF)
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
Type of commitment
- No take marine protected area
- Multiple use marine protected area
- Locally or community managed marine areas
- MPA management and/or enforcement
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Type of commitment
- Economic benefits from sustainable fisheries
- Economic benefits from sustainable tourism
- Economic benefits from sustainable aquaculture/mariculture
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
- Research capacity development
- Data access and sharing
- Training and professional development
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
Type of commitment
- Legal/policy/institutional measures
- Community empowerment for fisheries management
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want
Type of commitment
- Activities to develop the capacity of States towards broader participation in and effective implementation of UNCLOS and its implementing Agreements
- Other (please specify): Regulatory framework for the management of MPA network and institutionalize marine biodiversity conservation efforts.
June 2019
Three MPA networks established in Verde Island Passage (Region 4), Davao Gulf (Region 10) and Lanuza Bay (9)
June 2019
Increased capacity in MPA management with capacity development scorecards incorporated into management planning and monitoring process for MPAs/MPANs in five sites.
June 2019
At least 20% increase in local government units (LGUs) or local partners support in five sites
June 2019
At least two MPA Networks implementing financing and business plans targeting increases in revenue generation from the tourism and fisheries sector.
