PEMSEA E-UPDATES Vol. IV Issue 02 February 2003
PEMSEA Designates Third ICM Parallel Site
PALABUHANRATU, INDONESIA -- The Sukabumi Regency has been formally
designated as PEMSEA's third parallel site for Integrated Coastal Management (ICM). In
a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between PEMSEA Regional Programme
Director, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, and Sukabumi Regency Head, Mr. Maman Sulaeman,
Sukabumi Regency will implement the ICM framework and processes developed by
PEMSEA.
Sukabumi Parliament Vice-chair, H. Abdul Madjid, and heads of various government
agencies, NGOs, and concerned stakeholders' representatives were also present at the
signing ceremony held on 24 February 2003.
Prior to the signing ceremony, a core group of Sukabumi officials and stakeholders
underwent a three-day training on the development, implementation and management a
coastal and marine environment project. Bali ICM Demonstration Site Director, Ms. Ni
Wayan Sudji; PEMSEA National Focal Point for Indonesia, Mr. Sudariyono; PEMSEA
Fellow, Ms. Zulhasni; and former PEMSEA intern, Mr. Alam Syah Mapparessa, served
as training course as instructors.
Environmental Risks Identified in Danang ICM Site
DANANG, VIETNAM -- An initial environmental risk assessment (IRA) of Danang's
integrated coastal management (ICM) site has identified priority chemical, physical and
biological stressors suspected of posing risks to the ecosystem and human health. The
IRA, conducted by a multidisciplinary group of technical experts, concluded that adverse
changes were occurring in resources and habitats in the area and identified possible
causes for the decline.
Declines in aquaculture products were attributed to the deterioration of water quality.
Similarly, area decline in beaches, wetlands and forests were identified and were
attributed to various land and resource use activities such as reclamation, construction,
sand mining, deforestation and tourism development.
The IRA also identified levels of coliform bacteria in beaches, rivers, lakes and
freshwater used for domestic water supply which represented a threat to human health.
Further were associated with nutrients, organic matter, cyanide and heavy metals
including mercury, arsenic, lead and iron in the ground water and surface waters. These
findings have raised concerns on the potential risks associated with drinking water and
fish products from the contaminated areas.
Oil and grease, nutrients, organic matter, mercury and cyanide in coastal, river and lake
waters were cited as priority contaminants of concern to the respective ecosystems. In
addition, suspended solids and other heavy metals such as lead, copper, iron, cadmium,
zinc and arsenic were listed as "a cause for concern" in certain "hotspot" areas.
The results of the risk assessment will provide a basis for formulating environmental
management and policy decisions in Danang including an enhanced environmental
monitoring program.
PEMSEA and GPA Ink Knowledge-sharing Agreement
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- PEMSEA and the United Nations Environment
Programme Global Programme of Action (GPA) recently signed a memorandum of
understanding for a collaborative partnership on sharing experiences and knowledge in
the sustainable development of marine and coastal resources and in the governance of
regional seas and oceans.
This new knowledge-sharing partnership includes the joint production of two issues of
Tropical Coasts Magazine, and its online distribution; the sharing of good practices
through the production and dissemination of case studies on national coastal policy
development in PR China and RO Korea; and case studies on good policy practices in
Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, the Philippines, PR China and RO Korea. PEMSEA staff will
also participate as resource persons in upcoming GPA-organized activities in South Asia.
The agreement was signed by PEMSEA Regional Programme Director, Dr. Chua Thia-
Eng and GPA Coordinator, Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd and shall take effect immediately.
International Network on Ocean Governance Initiated
TOKYO, JAPAN -- Seven international experts who were invited by the Nippon
Foundation met here last February 13-14 to discuss a network mechanism for
strengthening human resource capacity and research in ocean governance. The invitees
included Center for the Study of Marine Policy Director, Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sains of
Delaware University, USA; PEMSEA Regional Programme Director, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng
of PEMSEA; Dr. Isao Kioike of Tokyo University, Japan; Dr. Gunnar Kullenberg of the
International Ocean Institute, Malta; Dr. Russell Reichelt of CRC Reef Research Centre,
Australia; and Institute for Ocean Policy Executive Director Mr. Hiroshi Terashima of
the Ship and Ocean Foundation, Japan.
The establishment of an international network of education and research institutions on
ocean governance was discussed at length. The idea is to create a mechanism for pooling
collective institutional efforts and resources to build a critical mass of human resources
for implementing plans of action related to the sustainable development of coasts and
oceans. The plans of action agreed to at the World Summit for Sustainable Development
(WSSD) would be a principal focus of the network.
The network will be developed and strengthened through a phased-process and involve
relevant institutions. The group shall explore research issues of immediate relevance to
ocean governance, including implementation of international instruments, regional
cooperation in ocean governance, national policies on exclusive economic zones, and
lessons drawn from integrated coastal management practices.
Bali Shares ICM Knowledge and Experience with Sukabumi Parallel Site
SUKABUMI, INDONESIA -- Bali is sharing its knowledge and experiences in integrated
coastal management (ICM) with Sukabumi, PEMSEA's newest parallel site in the region.
The signing of the Bali Coastal Strategy declaration, held on 2 June 2002 was an initial
opportunity for Sukabumi representatives to witness the successes and experiences in
Bali's ICM project. The event gave Sukabumi representatives an opportunity to discuss
with Bali's Project Management Office (PMO) various issues concerning the
development and implementation of the ICM program. About 40 Sukabumi stakeholders
joined a study tour to Bali and visited traditional village groups in Sanur and Jimbaran
villages. The Sukabumi stakeholders learned how traditional village groups take active
roles in planning, developing and implementing coastal development as well as
maintaining the environment of their coastal areas.
A training workshop was also organized by PEMSEA in cooperation with the Ministry of
Environment and the Local Government of Sukabumi Regency, to prepare key project
officers who will be involved in the development and implementation of the ICM
program. A total of 26 participants from government and non-government organizations
joined the training workshop.
The On-site Training Course on the Development, Implementation and Management of
Coastal and Marine Environmental Project, which was held 18 21 February 2003 also
provided Sukabumi with first hand experience. Bali ICM Demonstration Project PMO
Director, Ms. Ni Wayan Sudji, shared her experiences in the development and
implementation of ICM in Bali.
"We are inspired by Bali's success, and our strong commitment to balance economic
development and environmental management to achieve sustainable coastal
development," said Sukabumi Regency Head Mr. Maman Sulaeman.
Tree Planting and Beach Clean-up Initiated in Sukabumi
SUKABUMI, INDONESIA -- Learning from the experiences of Bali stakeholders in
maintaining the cleanliness of their Sanur and Jimbaran Beaches, stakeholders in
Sukabumi are initiating efforts to keep their own Palabuhanratu Bay clean and green.
A group of local stakeholders called the Palabuhanratu Conservation and Management
Team (TP3TP) are implementing tree planting and beach clean-up programs on a
voluntary basis. TP3TP mobilizes school children in Palabuhanratu sub-district to plant
and nurse trees as well as clean the beach every Friday morning. Aside from providing
shade in the recreational facilities along the sandy beaches, the program educates the
school children in caring for their environment. The activity teaches children to protect
their coastal area and to increase their awareness on the importance beaches play in their
daily life. This encourages others to keep the beaches clean.
To motivate the children to take care of the trees, TP3TP plans to hold a competition in
the future. TP3TP is also advocating Sukabumi's education sector to include the
environment as one of the subjects being taught in schools.
PEMSEA Regional Programme Director, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, also witnessed the
activities undertaken by the local government of Sukabumi Regency in partnerships with
TP3TP in building public awareness among the parents and children. Sukabumi Regency
Head Mr. Maman Sulaeman and Dr Chua who also planted trees hoped that the
implementation of the ICM program would help ensure the sustainability of stakeholder
programs already being implemented in the area and to protect and manage
Palabuhanratu Bay as a whole.
The WorldFish Center Co-organizes East Asian Seas Congress 2003
PENANG, MALAYSIA -- The WorldFish Center has joined PEMSEA in co-organizing
the thematic workshop on "Fisheries and Aquaculture" for the East Asian Seas Congress
2003, slated for 8-12 December 2003. The agreement was reached in a meeting between
PEMSEA Regional Programme Director, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, and WorldFish Center
Director-General, Dr. Meryl Williams, last February 18. As co-organizers, the WorldFish
Center will invite keynote speakers and paper presenters to participate in the fisheries and
aquaculture workshop.
The thematic workshop will focus discussions on the implementation of the fisheries-
related issues in the Implementation Plan of the World Summit for Sustainable
Development (WSSD). The WorldFish Center will play a critical role in developing
partnerships towards regional implementation of the WSSD plan for the East Asian Seas
region.
PEMSEA's Port Safety Audit Manual Supported by Port Association
PENANG, MALAYSIA -- The 4th International Association of Ports and Harbors
(IAPH) Asia Oceania Regional Meeting, was the venue for a presentation of PEMSEA's
recently published "Port Safety Audit Manual". The meeting, which was hosted by the
Port Klang Authority and attended by more than 60 participants from the Asia-Pacific
region, was held in Penang, Malaysia from 17-21 February 2003.
The Port Safety Audit Manual was presented during a workshop session on Port Safety
and Environmental Management.
PEMSEA Senior Programme Officer, Mr. Adrian Ross, explained that the manual and
associated training course were designed to provide local auditors, i.e., officers and staff
of port authorities/operators, with a process and the technical skills to identify strengths
and shortcomings in existing policies, procedures and programs concerning port safety
and environmental management, and to prepare a plan of action for rectifying any
identified gaps or weaknesses. It was emphasized that the manual was aimed to serve as a
reference to build in-port capacity to safely handle dangerous cargoes, and to respond to
emergency situations in an appropriate manner.
While the manual has been demonstrated as an effective tool in identifying safety and
environmental concerns in port areas, it was emphasized that most ports in the region
lacked a comprehensive management system covering port safety, dockworker health and
environmental management. PEMSEA's ongoing initiative, with the support of IMO, to
develop and demonstrate a Port Safety and Environmental Management System
(PSEMS) has been introduced to fill this gap. The PSEMS and the associated PSEM
Code are voluntary, and may be taken up by any port authority or operator to strengthen
compliance with mandatory national rules, regulations and standards and applicable
international conventions, codes, guidelines, recommendations and standards of
international governmental organizations and non-governmental port industry
associations and organizations.
IAPH Secretary-General, Dr. Satoshi Inoue, indicated that the IAPH was supportive of
the voluntary PSEMS system, and would be willing to provide technical support in the
review of the PSEM Code and PSEMS demonstration projects in the region.
The IAPH is a worldwide association of ports and harbors with members from more than
90 countries and economies throughout the world. Established in 1955, IAPH, whose
head office is in Tokyo, has been working for the improved efficiency of ports and the
betterment of the welfare of ports at large by bringing together the experience and
expertise of each port.
PEMSEA Audit Concludes with Positive Results
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- An external audit covering year 2002 was recently
completed on PEMSEA's Regional Programme Office with positive results.
Headed by Mr. T. Theethan, Accountant General (Audit)-II, from Tamil Nadu as Team
Leader, and Mr. L. K. Rajput, Team Member, they commenced their audit from 17
February-7 March 2003.
Employing an innovative approach, the auditors viewed the programme beyond the
routine bookkeeping of accounts. The audit proved to be a learning experience for them
as well. Both expressed their keen interest to see the programme at work at the local level.
As the audit progressed, they obtained a better understanding of PEMSEA's activities.
The auditors visited the Province of Bataan, a PEMSEA integrated coastal management
parallel site in the Philippines. Mr. Theethan expressed his interest for PEMSEA to
replicate its initiatives and experience in his hometown in India.
Bataan Seeks Private Sector Partners for Solid Waste Management
BATAAN, PHILIPPINES -- The Provincial Government of Bataan aims to be the first
province in the country to have an integrated solid waste management system aimed at
reducing risks to both the environment and human health, and ensure the sustainability of
development efforts.
Through its local government units (LGUs), the province is seeking a private operating
company with proven technical and managerial expertise in solid waste management
(SWM) to carry out the project's objectives through public-private partnership (PPP).
In an investment opportunity brief prepared by PEMSEA, the proposed joint venture
arrangement involves the financing, construction, operation and management of a waste
collection system; three material recovery and composting facilities (MRF) to serve
clustered municipalities; a sanitary landfill for the entire province; and a transfer system
to haul residual wastes from each MRF to the central landfill. The SWM facility is
expected to service three clusters of municipalities covering 11 towns and one city.
The estimated set-up cost of the project is US$ 6.6 million, with an annual operating and
maintenance cost of around US$ 879,000. An additional cost to cover eight stages of
landfill development is expected to be around US$ 12 million over the 25-year life of the
project.
The investment opportunity brief prepared by PEMSEA indicates that revenues will be
generated from two sources, namely: the user fees from households and establishments;
and the sale of compost and recyclable materials. The projected revenue in the initial year
is expected to be US$ 2.1 million, and this is projected to grow as the amount of wastes
generated increases, and waste collection becomes more efficient. Financial indicators,
which include a financial rate of return (FIRR) of 28% and net present value of US$ 43.7
million (using 10% discount rate and 25-year lifespan), show viability of the project.
PEMSEA is currently seeking interested parties wishing to become a private sector
partner for the project. To this end, PEMSEA has provided more information regarding
its various investment opportunities in its website www.pemsea.org.
East Asian Seas Congress 2003 Calls for Papers/Posters Abstracts
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA -- The organizers of the East Asian Seas Congress
2003 are calling for abstracts of papers and posters which would complement the various
presentations for the International Conference on the Sustainable Development of the
East Asian Seas: Towards a New Era of Regional Collaboration and Partnerships. The
conference is one of the main features of the Congress slated 8-12 December in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia.
Subject to the review and evaluation by a technical committee, the abstracts of papers and
posters should focus on any of the following:
· Progress in joint efforts to address key regional concerns, especially pertaining to
the implementation of international instruments and the recommendations of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development;
· Best practices and lessons learned in the application of integrated approaches to
the management of coastal and ocean-related ecosystems and natural resources;
· Obstacles to the effective management of shared waters - actions needed to
overcome governance, finance, scientific, communication, and capacity barriers;
and
· Regional collaboration and partnerships - developing effective and sustainable
regional and subregional mechanisms for environmental and natural resource
governance; building intergovernmental, interagency, and intersectoral
partnerships at regional, national, and subnational levels.
Specifically, selected papers and posters will be linked to the concurrent workshop
sessions on maritime transport; land-based pollution; fisheries and aquaculture;
biodiversity; local governance and alliances; skills and expertise; finance, investments,
and corporate responsibility; and national coastal policies and regional collaborative
arrangements.
Abstracts of papers and posters should be submitted in English, not to exceed 2500
characters including spaces and punctuation, and typed single-space in 12 points Times
New Roman. It should be submitted in electronic Word format to the Congress
Secretariat at congress@pemsea.org not later than 30 June 2003.
Authors will be informed of the status of their submitted abstracts on or before 31 July
2003.
For more information on the East Asian Seas Congress 2003, please contact:
Dr. Chua Thia-Eng
Regional Programme Director
and Congress Secretary-General
PEMSEA
Secretariat
The East Asian Seas Congress 2003
E-mail: congress@pemsea.org
Website: http://way.to./seascongress
PEMSEA Welcomes New Staff
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- PEMSEA welcomes Mr. Thanh Lam Nguyen as the
Regional Programme's newest intern.
Mr. Nguyen, from the National Centre for Natural Science and Technology, Hanoi,
Vietnam, will be working with PEMSEA for six months. A researcher on the coastal and
marine environment, Mr. Nguyen will undergo training in the concept and approaches of
risk assessment/risk management and PEMSEA's framework of project development and
implementation of subregional sea areas/pollution hotspot projects. He will also provide
technical support for the Gulf of Thailand Environmental Management Project.
PEMSEA's professional development program offers selected individuals the opportunity
to acquire hands-on experience and develop technical skills in actual program
development and implementation. Linkages and cooperation among participating
countries are also enhanced through the internship programme.
Previous PEMSEA interns include Ms. Pham Thi Chin from Vietnam and Mr. Oh Seung
Kwon from R.O. Korea.
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