PEMSEA E-UPDATES Vol. VIII Issue 02 2007

World Ocean Week 2007 Key Organizers Meet in Xiamen, Plans Laid for 2007

XIAMEN, PR CHINA -- Preparations for this year's World Ocean Week (WOW) are
underway as key organizers met last 28-30 January in Xiamen, PR China, to discuss the
event's activities. The Xiamen Municipal Government, United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) and PEMSEA are jointly
organizing WOW 2007, an annual event in Xiamen.

WOW 2007 will include theme addressing both environmental protection and the marine
economy. Key activities being planned are an Ocean Exhibition, which includes an
international exhibition on cruise ships and yachts and a technology and an equipment
exhibit on desalination and water reuse. The China Ocean Mineral Resources Research
and Development Association and the Chinese Society for Oceanography will also hold
an academic workshop. Other activities include marine-related cultural programs such as
a yacht show, a club cup sailing contest, a competition on family leisure fishing, and a
marine-themed concert.

"I am confident that the Municipal Government has the capability to make this truly
successful annual event," said Dr. Chua-Thia Eng, PEMSEA Regional Programme
Director. Xiamen City is host to one of PEMSEA's ICM demonstration sites and was
recently awarded the PEMSEA Gold Award for Outstanding Performance in Coastal
Governance during the East Asian Seas Congress 2006 in Haikou City, PR China.

The meeting was also attended by Vice Mayor Pan Shi Jian, Dr. Li Haiqing and Mr.
Liang Fengkui of SOA, and Mr. Zhou Lumin and staff of the Xiamen Ocean and
Fisheries Bureau.

Puerto Galera's CRM Board Convenes on EUF Municipal Ordinance

PUERTO GALERA, PHILIPPINES -- The Puerto Galera Coastal Resources
Management (CRM) Board held a meeting on 9 February to discuss the draft
Implementing Rule and Regulations (IRR) for Municipal Ordinance 06-03. The
municipality's said ordinance establishes the Environmental Users Fee (EUF) system in
Puerto Galera, a premier tourist destination famous for its beaches and dive sites, in
support of the Municipality's Coastal Resources Management Plan (CRMP).

The growing coastal population, the increase in the number of tourists and other
economic and development activities have intensified environmental degradation,
including the deterioration of water quality in the area and intensified the need to
implement an EUF system.

The proposed EUF is set at PHP50.00 and would be collected by designated and
authorized collectors from all tourists, travelers and guests upon entering the municipality
or any landing sites/entry points to any of the barangays (villages) of Puerto Galera. The
collected funds would form part of the municipality's income and would be used to fund
projects such as research, training, information and education campaigns, the
establishment of a sewage treatment system, and the promotion and use of appropriate
and indigenous technologies that will ensure the protection, conservation and sustainable
use of the natural environment.

Twenty percent of the net collected EUF would be allotted to a Barangay Environmental
Fund for the purpose of implementing the CRMP at the community level.

The Board Meeting chaired by Mayor Atienza noted that the IRR needs to be revised to
address some issues between the IRR as drafted and the adopted Ordinance. The
Redrafted IRR will be presented to the Board for review and recommendation for
adoption during its next meeting.

PEMSEA is assisting Puerto Galera to develop and implement a municipal sewage
project, using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) process.

EMS Implementation in Asian Ports

HAIPHONG, VIETNAM -- The Conference on Ports and Environment, held 1 February
in Haiphong, served as a venue for sharing lessons from the Indochina Ecoports Project
on Environmental Management Systems (EMS).

The Indochina Ecoports Project was co-financed by the European Union's Asia Pro Eco
Programme II, a European Community initiative to promote cleaner, more resource
efficient and sustainable solutions to environmental problems in Asia. The project was
implemented in five major ports in Vietnam and Cambodia -- the Ports of Haiphong,
Danang and Vung Tau in Vietnam and the Ports of Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville in
Cambodia).

Presentations focused on environmental issues and environmental programs developed in
each port, including a study on the strategic environmental assessment for port
development in Vung Tau Area.

The conference concluded the following:

· EMS in relation to health and safety has been internationally recognized since the
1990s and is now gaining interest from the port and harbor sectors;

· Networking among donors and projects is important, as there is significant
progress in EMS, particularly with regard to laws and regulations and instruments
development (method and standards). The Port Safety, Health and Environmental
Management System (PSHEMS) of PEMSEA was recognized as one of the
instruments that fulfills the objectives of EMS implementation;

· Exchange of experiences among ports at the national level is an effective medium
for networking;

· With the increasing number of ports implementing EMS, the introduction of legal
instruments to support EMS, and the growing consensus on the benefits of
implementing EMS, in spite of variations in environmental issues and priorities
among ports, the concept of sustainable port operations is gradually being
accepted; and

· The weaknesses in EMS implementation, such as: lack of human resources and
facilities to implement an effective EMS, and the need to develop programs that
focus on awareness raising, education and training, need to be addressed.

PEMSEA's PSHEMS was developed and demonstrated at two ports in the region (Port of
Bangkok in Thailand and Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia) as a framework for
ensuring that implementation of safety, health and environmental programs can be
successfully integrated into the daily activities of ports.

PEMSEA Opens Applications for Task Force

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- In a span of one month, more than 100 individuals
within and outside the East Asian region have registered for inclusion in the PEMSEA
Task Force.

In February, the PEMSEA Regional Programme Office officially opened applications for
the PEMSEA Task Force. The aim of the announcement was to encourage recent
graduates, practitioners and specialists in coastal and ocean management to become part
of a multidisciplinary dynamic technical support network dedicated to the sustainable
development of the East Asian seas.

Through the PEMSEA Task Force, PEMSEA wants to expand its capacity building
services across the countries of the region by facilitating access to technical advice and
assistance in project management and implementation, particularly in the application and
scaling up of integrated coastal management (ICM).

The PEMSEA Task Force is envisioned to provide a strong foundation for the
advancement of both short- and long-term goals in coastal and marine management in the
region.

A series of application assessments are scheduled, with the initial screening set for 31
March. Subsequent assessments will be on 30 May, 30 July and 31 August. The official
startup of the PEMSEA Task Force is scheduled in October.

For more information on the Task Force and to submit applications, visit
http://www.pemsea.org/abt%20pemsea/taskforce.htm. Inquiries may also be sent to
taskforce@pemsea.org .

PEMSEA Presents Awards and Recognition to Outstanding Organizations and
Individuals

HAIKOU CITY, PR CHINA -- During the East Asian Seas Congress 2006, PEMSEA
gave recognition to organizations that have worked to address critical issues for
sustainable development. The PEMSEA Awards and Recognition Night was held on 13
December 2006 and had two categories: The Port Safety, Health and Environmental
Management System (PSHEMS) and Integrated Coastal Management (ICM).

The PSHEMS Certificate of Recognition was awarded to two ports demonstrating
continued improvement in their commitment to port safety, health and environmental
protection. Both ports completed the development and implementation of their respective
PSHEMS system and underwent an implementation audit conducted by PEMSEA. The
first PSHEMS award was given to the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia, and was
presented by Mr. Jianxin Zhu, Deputy Director, Technical Cooperation Division of the
International Maritime Organization. Mr. Othman Ibrahim, Head of Internal Audit,
Office of the Chairman and Integrated Management Representative, Port of Tanjung
Pelepas, accepted the award.

The second PSHEMS Certificate of Recognition was awarded to the Port of Bangkok,
Thailand, and was presented by Mr. Jean-Claude Sainlos, Director, Marine Environment
Division, International Maritime Organization. Ms. Sunida Skulratana, Director General
of the Port Authority of Thailand, accepted the award.

Three awards were given in the ICM category: the PEMSEA Award for Outstanding
Performance as a Partner in Integrated Coastal Management; the PEMSEA Award for
Outstanding Performance in ICM; and the PEMSEA Gold Award for Outstanding
Performance in Coastal Governance.

The PEMSEA Award for Outstanding Performance as a Partner in ICM was presented to
the Bataan Coastal Care Foundation, Incorporated (BCCF), Philippines, for its active
involvement in the development and implementation of ICM and in forging partnerships
with the government and other stakeholders to achieve environmental sustainability,
while providing a harmonious environment for investments. Dr. Magda Lovei,
Environment Sector Manager of The World Bank, presented the award to Mr. Ronald

Allan Victorino representing BCCF, on behalf of Ms. Marilou Erni, President of BCCF
and Executive Director of the Petron Foundation.

The PEMSEA Award for Outstanding Performance in ICM went to the Provincial
Government of Batangas, Republic of the Philippines, for its significant contributions in
the East Asian Seas region, demonstrating persistent efforts and distinguished
achievements in effective application of ICM for pollution management, conservation,
conflict resolution and improving the standard of living of its people. The award was
presented by Dr. Andrew Hudson, Principal Technical Advisor, International Waters,
UNDP/GEF, to Hon. Armando Sanchez, Governor of Batangas.

The Xiamen Municipal Government, PR China, was the recipient of the PEMSEA Gold
Award for Outstanding Performance in Coastal Governance, for its establishment and
continual improvement of institutional arrangements in support of a sustainable coastal
governance program. Hon. Pan Shi Jian, Vice Mayor of the Xiamen Municipal
Government received the Gold Award presented by Dr. Alfred Duda, Senior Advisor on
International Waters, GEF Secretariat.

A special award was also presented to Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, PEMSEA Regional
Programme Director, signed by PEMSEA Focal Points, in recognition of his dedicated
service in successfully promoting and building partnerships for enhanced capacity in
marine and coastal management in the region. The award was presented by Hon. Khieu
Muth, representing Hon. Mok Mareth, Minister, Ministry of Environment and National
Focal Point of Cambodia.

The Recognition and Awards Night was emceed by Dr. Cielito Habito of the Ateneo De
Manila University, Philippines.

PARTNER NEWS

Asian Fisheries Society Announces Forum Theme: "Fisheries and Aquaculture:
Strategic Outlook for Asia"

The 8th Asian Fisheries Forum will be held in Kochi, India, from 20-23 November 2007,
with the theme "Fisheries and Aquaculture: Strategic Outlook for Asia." The Forum will
have several simultaneous technical sessions, a poster session, two symposia, a trade
exhibition and post-forum tours.

The Asian Fisheries Society (AFS) endeavors to make the 8th Asian Fisheries Forum the
largest fisheries gathering in the Asian region and provides an opportunity for scientists
from various countries to present their research outputs and interact to develop future
collaborative researches and development agenda.

The topics for the technical sessions are: 1) Living Aquatic Resources, Capture Fisheries
and Management; 2) Aquaculture: Production System and Management, Productivity
Enhancement; 3) Biodiversity and Conservation; 4) Environment, Pollution, Impacts; 5)
Biotechnology; 6) Fish Health; 7) Harvest and Post-harvest Technology, Value Addition;
8) Fisheries and Society; 9) Human Resource, Policy and Governance; and 10)
Economics, Marketing, Exports, Trade, Globalization.

The Asian Fisheries Society, established in 1986, is the largest fisheries nongovernmental
organization in the Asian region with a membership of over 3,000 scientists, technocrats,
fish farmers, administrators and activists. The AFS has been holding the Asian Fisheries
Forum once in every three years since its inception.

Deadline for submission of abstracts is on 30 June 2007. Abstracts can be submitted
online through the website www.8aff2007.org or by email to 8aff2007@gmail.com.

2008 is the International Year of the Reef (IYOR)

Year 2008 was designated as the International Year of the Reef (IYOR 2008) by the
International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) during its General Meeting held last 22-23
October 2006 in Conzumel, Mexico. This recent declaration is in response to the urgent
need to increase awareness and generate action to develop and implement effective
strategies for the further conservation and management of coral reefs and associated
ecosystems, as well as to increase appreciation for the value of these resources.

The first IYOR was declared and implemented in 1997 in response to the increasing
threats and loss of coral reefs and associated ecosystems. IYOR 97 was a global effort to
raise awareness and understanding of coral reefs and the threats they face, and support
related conservation, research and management efforts.

The ICRI is a partnership of nations and organizations seeking to implement the
recommendations of the Rio Earth Summit (Agenda 21, Ch.17) and other international
conventions and agreements for the benefit of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, such
as mangroves and seagrasses.

For more information, visit www.iyor.org or contact info@iyor.org.