PEMSEA E-UPDATES Vol. V Issue 08 2004
PEMSEA Facilitates Bilateral Cooperation for the Implementation of the SDS-SEA
MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- A delegation of high-ranking officials from the State
Oceanic Administration (SOA) of PR China visited Manila from 7-10 December to
explore with Philippine officials, approaches and measures to strengthen interaction and
cooperation in coastal and marine environmental resource research and management.
The implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia
(SDS-SEA) was seen as providing opportunities for the further enhancement of bilateral
cooperation. The visit was facilitated by PEMSEA, with the collaboration and support of
the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the
Philippine Coast Guard.
Lead by SOA Administrator Hon. Wang Shuguang, the delegates held meetings with
DENR officials where they shared experiences and lessons learned from the application
of integrated management approaches to coastal and marine environment and natural
resources.
DENR Undersecretary Rolando Metin expressed appreciation for the visit seeing it as a
valuable opportunity to discuss measures to strengthen collaboration between China and
the Philippines, particularly in the field of marine science, technology and services, and
to exchange ideas with regard to the follow-up activities on the SDS-SEA. The
Philippines and China are signatories to the Putrajaya Declaration on the Sustainable
Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia and both countries have embarked on
developing integrated national coastal and ocean policies to implement the strategy.
The SOA delegates also visited the headquarters of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
and were welcomed by PCG Deputy Commandant Rear Admiral Elpidio Padama. The
visit resulted in discussions with senior coast guard commanders on the Philippine
Government's experience in law enforcement relevant to marine environmental
protection and pollution prevention. The delegates were also offered a tour of a search
and rescue vessel.
Other members of the Chinese delegation included SOA Department of International
Cooperation Director General, Mr. Li Haiquing; SOA Office of China Ocean Mineral
Resources Research and Development Association Director General, Mr. Zhang Limin;
SOA South China Sea Branch Director General, Mr. Li Lixin; SOA Third Institute of
Oceanography Director General, Mr. Zheng Lianfu; and Hainan Province Marine and
Fishereis Department Director General, Mr. Li Yingi.
The discussions between the two sides has led to an agreement on the follow ups needed
to strengthen cooperation and specific areas of joint activities for further consultation and
implementation. PEMSEA's role in facilitating the exchange within the framework of the
SDS-SEA was appreciated, and the need to augment such a role was recognized.
MOU Signing Marks Quang Nam as Newest PEMSEA ICM Site
QUANG NAM, VIETNAM -- Quam Nam Province has been formally designated as
PEMSEA's fifth and newest parallel site for Integrated Coastal Management (ICM). In
the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between PEMSEA, the Provincial People's
Committee of Quang Nam and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
(MONRE) on 11 November, Quang Nam will implement the ICM framework and
processes developed by PEMSEA.
Signed by Quang Nam People's Committee Vice-Chair, Mr. Le Minh Anh; MONRE
Vice-Minister, Mr. Pham Khoi Nguyen; and PEMSEA Regional Programme Director, Dr.
Chua Thia-Eng, the MOA aims to address Quang Nam's escalating environmental
problems by developing and implementing an ICM program for the sustainable use,
management, preservation, and protection of its coastal and marine resources.
Quang Nam People's Committee Vice-Chair, Ms. Ho Thi Than Lam gave the official
address during the signing ceremony. She indicated that the priority of Quang Nam was
economic development, but in a sustainable manner. Being one of the poorest provinces
in Vietnam, there are a number of development activities that are of concern to the
People's Committee, such as overfishing, alternative livelihood programs, mining, eco-
tourism, aquaculture, and marine protected area management. Ms. Lam also emphasized
the province's commitment to the ICM program.
Quang Nam joins Shihwa in the Republic of Korea, Sukabumi in Indonesia, and Bataan
and Cavite in the Philippines as PEMSEA ICM Parallel Sites in the region.
China Developing 10 ICM Parallel Sites with PEMSEA
HAIKOU, PR CHINA -- Efforts are being made in PR China to develop 10 new
integrated coastal management (ICM) sites. In partnership with PEMSEA and the Hainan
Province Department of Marine and Fishery, the State Oceanic Administration of PR
China organized the Consultation Meeting on ICM Parallel Site Development on 11-12
November. The meeting evaluated candidate sites for development and discussed
effective mechanisms for ICM replication in PR China since the sites can potentially
provide the region with new experiences in the application of ICM.
The 10 candidate sites include Wenchang City (Hainan Province), Fangchenggang City
(Guangxi), Yangjiang City (Guangdong Province), Quangzhou City (Fujian Province),
Ningbo Municipality (Zhejiang Province), Qingdao Municipality (Shandong Province),
Dongying City (Shandong Province), Tanggu District (Tianjin), Laoting City (Hebei
Province), and Panjin Municipality (Liaoning Province).
Representatives from the proposed sites presented information on the socioeconomic and
physical characteristics of their respective sites as well as key issues, concerns and
opportunities related to the management of coastal and marine environment and resources.
They also expressed keen interest and commitment in developing ICM programs in
cooperation with PEMSEA.
The meeting was followed by a site evaluation of three of the candidate sites (Wenchang
City, Fangchenggang City, and Yangjiang City). PEMSEA Regional Programme Director
Dr. Chua Thia-Eng and PEMSEA Senior Programme Officer Dr. Jihyun Lee proceeded
to evaluate their suitability and observe issues and problems to be addressed by the ICM
program. The other sites are to be evaluated in March 2005.
The expansion of ICM programs throughout the region is part of PEMSEA's efforts in
the implementing the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia
through site replication by local governments with PEMSEA providing technical
assistance.
PEMSEA Shares Ocean Governance Efforts in the International Conference on
Geo-Agenda for the Future: Securing the Oceans
TOKYO, JAPAN -- The Tokyo Declaration on Securing the Oceans, along with a new
concept on ocean governance, was presented during the International Conference on Geo-
Agenda for the Future: Securing the Oceans. The conference was attended by PEMSEA
Regional Programme Director Dr. Chua Thia-Eng together with participants from USA,
China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines and Singapore.
The conference focused on the legal and policy frameworks and action plans for the
maintenance of peace and for environmental protection of the ocean where a holistic and
integrative management approach in ocean governance for addressing concerns was
proposed.
The Tokyo Declaration on Securing the Oceans calls for the implementation of ocean
governance as an integral part of comprehensive security. The Declaration requires that
all aspects of ocean management, including military activities, the peaceful use of the
oceans, resource extraction, environmental management and scientific research be
addressed in an integrated manner.
The Declaration proposes a series of activities designed to build political will and achieve
the implementation of the approach to securing the oceans. The Declaration, which
expressed the collective views of 26 eminent international ocean law and policy experts,
was a major output of the ocean conference series organized by the Ship and Ocean
Foundation (SOF) of Japan over the last three years.
The conference was the third and final international ocean conference organized by the
SOF since 2001, where issues on food security, environmental and natural resources
sustainability, threats to maritime safety and the recent threats caused by maritime
terrorism were discussed. The first and second conferences discussed ocean security
issues and the progress made in addressing these issues facing the world's oceans.
While in Japan, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng also briefed about 40 senior officials of the Ministry
of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT), the national focal agency on regional
efforts, on the concept of PEMSEA and its activities. He also introduced the Sustainable
Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) and discussed its
implications and significance in promoting coastal and ocean governance for the Seas of
East Asia. He also highlighted PEMSEA's efforts in developing the regional
implementing mechanism for SDS-SEA.
Dr. Chua also consulted MLIT on providing secretariat support services and the future
role of the Regional Programme Office in the implementation of the follow-on phase of
PEMSEA.
Local Governments to Meet in Bali to Share ICM Experiences
BALI, INDONESIA -- Local governments in PEMSEA integrated coastal management
(ICM) national demonstration and parallel sites will gather in Bali to share experiences
and discuss key challenges and issues on sustainable coastal development. The Fourth
Forum of the Regional Network of Local Governments (RNLG) Implementing ICM will
be held on April 2005 with the Government of Indonesia serving as host.
One of the issues to be addressed during the Fourth RNLG will be the sustainable
operation of the network's activities. A proposal to expand existing RNLG membership,
structure and functions will be tabled for discussion. A resolution by participating local
governments expressing their commitments to the sustainable operation of the network
will be submitted for adoption. The forum will also promote the participation of
representatives from recently developed parallel sites, donor agencies, other local
government networks with similar objectives, and local governments implementing ICM
outside of the East Asian Seas region.
The RNLG was formally established by local governments implementing ICM in March
2001 in Seoul, RO Korea. Since then, each government has made progress and
accumulated valuable experiences. Eminent examples include the development and
adoption of coastal strategies, the conduct of environmental risk assessments, the
strengthening of political support and leadership and the widening of public awareness
and participation.
Current members of the network include the local governments of Bali, Indonesia;
Batangas and Bataan, Philippines; Chonburi, Thailand; Danang, Vietnam; Klang,
Malaysia; Nampo, DPR Korea; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Shihwa, RO Korea; and
Xiamen, PR China.
Sihanoukville Coastal Zoning Plan Now Up for National Approval
SIHANOUKVILLE, CAMBODIA -- Following almost two years of training, zoning
activities and stakeholders' consultations, the Coastal Use Zoning (CUZ) Plan for
PEMSEA's Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Site in Sihanoukville was finalized by
local officials during a Project Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held on 16
November. The meeting agreed that the CUZ can now proceed to the next step and be
presented to the National Government for the legal and institutional support needed for
its implementation.
During the PCC meeting, members thoroughly examined the zones and the implications
of zoning activities on resource utilization. The PCC, which is composed of local
officials from different government agencies, signified their commitment and support in
the implementation of the CUZ scheme. The CUZ scheme is among the efforts to reduce
multiple-use conflicts in the coastal areas of Sihanoukville.
The zoning scheme outlines the activities both permitted and prohibited within 12 zones,
the exact geographic location of these sites and the specific legal/institutional support for
the implementation of the plan. The zones include areas for: Preservation; Drinking water
source; Rehabilitation/restoration; Low-Intensity Use; Agriculture; Fisheries
Management and Fishing Port; Aquaculture/Mariculture; Tourism Development; Port
Management Zone and Shipping Lanes; Airport Development; Multiple-Purpose Use;
and Coastal Industry and Mining.
If approved by the National Government, the CUZ will provide local stakeholders with a
means to guarantee that human activities and development interventions in Sihanoukville
are kept within sustainable limits, a major milestone in any coastal management initiative.
Hong Kong Training Heightens Regional Skills on IEIA
HONG KONG, PR CHINA -- Knowledge and understanding on the approaches and
benefits of integrated environmental impact assessment (IEIA) recently received a boost
with the successful conduct of the Training Course on IEIA for Coastal and Marine Areas
held last 29 November 4 December at the City University of Hong Kong.
The training enhanced the knowledge and skills of participants in the conduct,
methodology, multidisciplinary approach and benefits of IEIA and promoted the
integrated nature of IEIA in the development planning schemes of the participants'
respective countries. The course saw the participation of 31 individuals, which included
participants from the PEMSEA participating countries of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia,
DPR Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, PR China, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Postgraduate students from the Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of
Hong Kong were also in attendance.
The participants received lectures on the concept, tools, methodologies and applications
of IEIA as well as practical applications through a role-play exercise and a field trip to
the Mai Po Marshes in Deep Bay, an internationally recognized conservation site for
waterfowl and migratory birds.
The training course highlighted the importance of cumulative impact assessment in IEIA,
which takes into account all possible interactions of impacts from all existing and
planned individual projects/developments in an area. The course emphasized the
importance of public participation and incorporation of IEIA results into the project at all
stages, and the actual use of the results in decision making. The course also pointed out
the deficiencies of conventional EIAs, which are project specific and normally consider,
in isolation, impacts arising from a single project.
The training course was organized by PEMSEA, the Coastal Management Center and the
Centre for Coastal Pollution and Conservation of the City University of Hong Kong and
is part of PEMSEA's efforts in building technical capacity in relation to the
implementation and scaling up of ICM in participating countries and other interested
regions.
PEMSEA Shares Experiences in Media Congress
SHENZHEN, PR CHINA -- PEMSEA recently took part in an international conference
of media practitioners where it was able to develop working relations with other
international media practitioners and share its communications experiences in the
production of print, video and web-based media. The 16th Congress of the Asia-Pacific
Forum of Environmental Journalists (APFEJ) was held on 26-29 November and brought
together more than 200 environmental media practitioners and communication specialists
from more than 35 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Carrying the theme "Environmental Conservation and Public Participation," the 16th
APFEJ Congress commenced with Shenzhen Mayor Li Hongzhong giving the opening
remarks where he spoke about Shenzhen's heightened environmental awareness and
sensitivity brought about by the active participation of media in environmental issues.
The Congress saw a wide discussion of various topics that included the role of APFEJ in
the Asia-Pacific region, the need for developing partnerships for information sharing and
networking, and the importance of people and the media as driving forces in
environmental protection.
State Environment Protection Administration Deputy Director Pan Yue presided over the
open forum that followed and saw active discussions on China's public participation
initiatives in the field of environmental conservation and protection. The Congress also
included a field trip where the participants were brought to the Shenzhen International
Garden and Flower Expo Park, the Shenzhen Mountain Park and the Shenzhen Botanical
Garden. The trip was to impart to participants the potential value of a healthy
environment.
Strong Turnout in Coastal Cleanup Offers Hope for Manila Bay
MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- Manila Bay received strong stakeholder attention when
3,705 volunteers came and cleaned up an estimated 100 tons of solid waste from the
baywalk area during the 19th International Coastal Cleanup held last September.
PEMSEA's Manila Bay Environmental Management Project (MBEMP) spearheaded the
baywalk coastal cleanup as part of simultaneous world wide coastal cleanup efforts. The
baywalk was one of five cleanup venues along the bay during the event.
The amount of waste gathered served as a reminder to stakeholders on how much work
still needs to be done to ensure the bay's healthy environment. The high volunteer turnout,
however, is an indication of a growing level of awareness among local stakeholders.
The International Coastal Cleanup is the single largest annual one-day volunteer effort in
cleaning marine and coastal environments all around the world. Since its first inception in
the United States 1985, it has since spread to many countries. During the event, the
MBEMP also set up an exhibit and distributed public awareness materials to stakeholders.
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