Presentation by Takehiro Nakamura during the fisheries focused learning discussion at the 4th Biennial GEF International Waters Conference. UNEP/GEF Regional Working Group on Fisheries (RWG-F) http://refugia.unepscs.org

1. REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS
IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
WWW.UNEPSCS.ORG
Establishing a Regional System of Fisheries Refugia in
the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand
UNEP/GEF Regional Working Group on Fisheries (RWG-F)
http://refugia.unepscs.org

2. REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS
IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
WWW.UNEPSCS.ORG
Fishing and the Loss of Marine Habitats and Biodiversity
 Regional consensus that fisheries habitats play a critical role in the
maintenance of fisheries production, livelihoods, and food security
 Estimated decadal rates of loss of fisheries habitats in the South
China Sea are high: seagrass (30%), mangroves (16%), and coral reefs
(16%)
 Fishing identified as a key factor in the continued loss of marine
habitats and biodiversity in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand
 Key characteristics of Southeast Asian fisheries contributing to loss:
 over-capitalisation and over-exploitation,
 large numbers of small scale craft and high level community dependence
on fish for food and income,
 excessively high fishing effort in most inshore areas, and
 widespread use of destructive fishing gear and practices.

3. REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS
IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
WWW.UNEPSCS.ORG
Need for Improved Management of Fish Stock and Habitat Linkages
 The RWG-F identified an urgent need for a regional initiative that
fosters improved management of critical fish stocks and habitat linkages
 It was noted by the RWG-F that:
 Past environment initiatives, such as the development of MPA systems,
have been promoted in terms of benefits to fisheries, but have not effectively
integrated fisheries issues into overall planning
 Sites for marine habitat protection (such as MPAs) have been based on
biodiversity rather than fisheries considerations and have had little
demonstrable benefit to fish stocks or regional fisheries
 Fisheries ministries and departments are focused on sustaining yields in
face of high community dependence and participation in small-scale fisheries,
and have little experience working with the environment sector
 “Prohibition” of fishing in any coastal area is a difficult if not futile task

4. REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS
IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
WWW.UNEPSCS.ORG
Developing a Mechanism for Integrated Fisheries and Habitat
Management: the Refugia Concept
 The RWG-F recommended that any mechanism developed should:
 Focus on maximising the benefit-cost ratio of actions for fishing
communities;
 Promote sustainable use rather than prohibition of fishing;
 Focus on fish life-cycle and critical habitat linkages; and be
 Relevant at the fishery level, i.e., should be easily understood by fishing
communities, local government officials, and provincial level fisheries
managers
 Fisheries Refugia as defined by the RWG-F are “spatially and geographically
defined, marine or coastal areas in which specific management measures are
applied to sustain important species [fisheries resources] during critical stages
of their life-cycle, for their sustainable use”.

5. REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS
IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
WWW.UNEPSCS.ORG

6. REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS
IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
WWW.UNEPSCS.ORG
Stakeholder Consultations
on Refugia Concept
Technical Workshops on
Mapping Known Refugia
Review of Fish Egg and
Larvae Data for Refugia
Identification
Conduct of Regional
Training on Fish Egg and
Larvae Identification

7. REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS
IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
WWW.UNEPSCS.ORG
Outputs and Outcomes to Date
 Publication of Regional Guidelines on the Use of Fisheries Refugia in
Capture Fisheries Management in the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Regional Guidelines for
Responsible Fisheries in Southeast Asia,
 Characterisation of 46 sites in the South China Sea known as critical
spawning and nursery areas for species of transboundary significance,
 Regional agreement on the inclusion of 14 sites in an initial system of
fisheries refugia,
 Prioritisation of an additional nine sites from the remaining 32 sites for
which further information is required prior to inclusion in the regional
system,
 Production of a regional fisheries refugia information base, and
 Inclusion of the refugia concept in National fisheries policies of
Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines.