Strengthening capacity to support

Marine Protected AreasPoWPA workshop, 6 December 2011

B. C. Choudhury & K. Sivakumar

With contributions from Tim Carruthers

Ecosystem services supported by MPA’s

Localized threats

• Indiscriminate and uncontrolled over

fishing and fisheries related impacts

• Coastal and marine developmental

projects and chronic impacts

• Stochastic natural events such as

cyclone, earthquake, tsunami, global

warming

Climate changethreats

And related

demographic and

landuse patterns

Restoration and recovery of the

marine habitat types and their obligate

flora and fauna (e.g. Great Barrier

Reef)

Restoration of ecological processes and

their services (E.g. Gulf of Kutch

National Park and Marine Sanctuary in

India)

Enhanced the livelihood options of

local communities using marine

resources (e.g. Gulf of Mannar

National Park)

Positive benefits of protection

Marine Protected Areas in the world

Source: World Environment Library

Gulf of KachchGulf of Kachch

Gulf of MannarGulf of Mannar

BhitarkanikaBhitarkanika

WandurMiddle ButtonNorth Button

Rani JhansiSouth Button

WandurMiddle ButtonNorth Button

Rani JhansiSouth Button

CingueCothbertGalathea

CingueCothbertGalathea

LohabarrackNorth ReefMangrove

South Reef

LohabarrackNorth ReefMangrove

South Reef

KadalundiKadalundi

Marine National ParksWildlife SanctuariesCommunity Reserve No Conservation Reserves

Marine National ParksWildlife SanctuariesCommunity Reserve No Conservation Reserves

LothianHallidaySajnakhali

LothianHallidaySajnakhali

BhitarkankaBhitarkanka

ChilikaChilikaGahirmathaGahirmatha

CoringaCoringa

KrishnaKrishna

PulicatPulicat

Point CalimerePoint Calimere

MalvanMalvan

PittiPitti

Marine Protected Areas in IndiaMarine Protected Areas in India

Coastal and Marine Biosphere Reserves, Ramsar sites & Important Bird Areas in India

Gulf of MannarGulf of Mannar

SunderbansSunderbans

NicobarNicobar

AsthamudiAsthamudi

BitharkanikaBitharkanika

ChilkaChilka

KolleruKolleru

VembanadVembanad Point CalimerePoint Calimere

Biosphere ReservesRamsar sitesImportant Bird Areas

Biosphere ReservesRamsar sitesImportant Bird Areas

Courtesy: Birdlife International

Existing methodologies to identify MCPAsExisting methodologies to identify MCPAs

Global (macro-level) priority setting approaches for biodiversity conservation

Biodiversity hotspotsHabitat based, e.g., rain forests(Myers, 1988)

Major tropical wilderness areas Ecosystem based, e.g., high biodiversity tropical areas(Myers, 1990; Mittermeier, 1990)

Mega-diversity countries Country based biodiversity assessment method e.g., B-17(Mittermeier et al., 1997)

Available methodology in India

•Untawale, 2000

– based on threatened taxa status

•Singh et al., 2000

– both on taxa and habitat types

– suggested 12 sites along Indian coastline

Existing micro-level approach for IndiaExisting micro-level approach for India

• Important Bird Areas (IBAs) – Birdlife International

• Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) – Birdlife Internation al

• Special Area Conservation (SAC) – EU’s Habitat Directive

• Marine Eco-regions – WWF & Nature Conservancy

&• Important Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMB A)

Other options for site IdentificationOther options for site Identification

Criteria for identification of ICMBAsCriteria for identification of ICMBAs

1. Ecosystem resilience

2. Ecosystem function

3. Biodiversity uniqueness

4. Cultural, Religious & Aesthetic significance

5. Socio-economic potential

6. Land tenure

Six “Conservation amplifiers” were picked up from standard methods for criteria development

CRITERION 1

Coastal ecosystem resilienceIndicators1.Considerable area

2.Ecosystem contiguity

3.Habitat diversity (mangrove, mud flat, coral, seagrass, sand beach etc)

4.Adequacy of the site to maintain ecosystem level processes (nutrient flow, salinity changes)

5.Wildlife corridor (connected by vegetation, water or others)

Indicators1.Considerable area

2.Ecosystem contiguity

3.Habitat diversity (mangrove, mud flat, coral, seagrass, sand beach etc)

4.Adequacy of the site to maintain ecosystem level processes (nutrient flow, salinity changes)

5.Wildlife corridor (connected by vegetation, water or others)

Ecosystem functions

Indicators

1.Freshwater discharge/ recharge function

2.Coastal erosion control

3.Carbon sequestration value

4.Natural protection against disaster

Indicators

1.Freshwater discharge/ recharge function

2.Coastal erosion control

3.Carbon sequestration value

4.Natural protection against disaster

CRITERION 2

Biodiversity uniqueness

Indicators1.Presence of Globally threatened species2.Presence of Regionally threatened Species (IWPA 1972)3.Presence of restricted range species4.Presence of flagship species5.Presence of endemic species6.Nursery and Breeding site provisions for species of conservationsignificance7.Congregation area for species of conservation significance8.Congregation area for migratory species

Indicators1.Presence of Globally threatened species2.Presence of Regionally threatened Species (IWPA 1972)3.Presence of restricted range species4.Presence of flagship species5.Presence of endemic species6.Nursery and Breeding site provisions for species of conservationsignificance7.Congregation area for species of conservation significance8.Congregation area for migratory species

CRITERION 3

Cultural, Religious & Aesthetic significance

Indicators

1.Cultural value

2.Religious value

3.Historical value

4.Aesthetic value

Indicators

1.Cultural value

2.Religious value

3.Historical value

4.Aesthetic value

CRITERION 4

Socio-economic potential

Indicators

1.Renewable natural resource extraction opportunity

2.Ecotourism prospects

3.Support for agriculture

4.Aquaculture and Fisheries

Indicators

1.Renewable natural resource extraction opportunity

2.Ecotourism prospects

3.Support for agriculture

4.Aquaculture and Fisheries

CRITERION 5

Land tenure (Governance)

Indicators

1.Government ownership or other private ownership

Indicators

1.Government ownership or other private ownership

CRITERION 6

Survey for identification of ICMBAsSurvey for identification of ICMBAs

Coast StatesCoastal Length (Km)

Number of sites surveyed and examined *

West

Gujarat 1610 44

Maharashtra 720 32

Goa 120 10

Karnataka 280 46

Kerala 590 75

East

West Bengal 210 16

Orissa 480 25

Andhra Pradesh 1014 42

Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry 950 60

Total 5974 350

* within 5 km on the landward side

Number of sites visited and examined

Coast States Identified ICMBAs Total

West

Gujarat & Diu-Daman 15

62

Maharashtra 14

Goa 4

Karnataka 12

Kerala 17

East

West Bengal 2

44Orissa 14

Andhra Pradesh 15

Tamil Nadu & Puducherry 13

Total 106 *

Identified ICMBA sites

* An ATLAS of 106 ICMBA site prepared

Prioritization based on

Prioritization among ICMBAs for immediate attentionPrioritization among ICMBAs for immediate attention

• Additional biodiversity values of candidate site’s

surrounding landscape matrix

• Habitat vulnerability to range of threat

• Land tenure system

Coast States Prioritized ICMBAs Total

West

Gujarat & Diu-Daman 3

13Maharashtra 3

Karnataka 3

Kerala 4

East

West Bengal -

9Orissa 3

Andhra Pradesh 3

Tamil Nadu & Puducherry 3

Total 22 *

Prioritized ICMBA sites

* Fact Sheets in ICMBA Atlas were coloured in Red

Prioritized ICMBA sites

• For example – Gujarat and Tamil Nadu

Chandipur

ChilkaRushikulya

Naupada

BantumilliMachilipatnam

Kaliveli

Pichavaram

Palk Bay

MadhavpurAlia Bet

Purna

Thane

Purnagad

Achra-Malvan

KaliNetraniKundapur

Kolavipalem

Vypin-Fort KochiKumarakom

Kumbalangi

Identified ICMBAs in Gujarat & Diu - DamanIdentified ICMBAs in Gujarat & Diu - Daman

Prioritized sites

KoteswarSangi

Gasabara

Porbandar

Madhavpur

Diu

Alia betWadgham

Sabarmati

Navbandar

Kotpar Narmada

Purna

UmergaonDamanganga

Mangroves in Purna

Mudflat in Alia Bet

Turtle hatchery in Madhavpur

Protection of migratory species requires networks of protected areas including Trans

Boundary Protected Areas

• Sea turtles

• Dugong

• Whales

• Sharks

• Birds

Many of the threats to marine habitats are land based: a ‘ridge to reef’ approach is recommended

• Unsustainable coastal development

• Forest clear-felling

• Strip mining

• Hill-slope erosion

• Unsustainable agriculture

• Pesticide runoff

• Nutrient input from urban areas

• Nutrient inputs from farming

Goal 1.2: Integrate land and seascape

Trans Boundary Marine Protected Areas

E,g. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere

Reserve (India and Sri Lanka)

• Dugong

• Sea turtles

• Sharks

• Whales

• Sea birds etc

Goal 1.3: Transboundary protected areas and MPA collaborations

Ability and capacity to enforce an MPA is essential for success

• All links in the

enforcement chain

need to be strong

Goal 1.4: Substantially improve site based MPA planning and management

Internal issues as well as identified external threats

influence enforcement efforts

Goal 1.5: Prevent and mitigate impacts of key threats

Protected seascape can increase catches in surrounding buffer areas

• This was measured after establishing ‘no take’ zones in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Goal 2.1: Promote equity and benefit sharing

The multiple effective scales of MPA’s

•Global: Convention on Biological Diversity

•Mesoamerican reef (annual report card)

•National level: governance uniformity

•MPA – Specifically established National Park

Goal 3.1: Provide enabling policy, institutional and socio-economic support

IUCN classification of MPA’s

Goal 3.2: Build capacity for planning, establishment and management

Marine Protected Areas can contain zoning for multiple uses

Goal 3.3: Develop, apply and transfer appropriate technologies

Important permissible activities in various zones of the

Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve and National Park as

per consultation with stakeholders

Mon

itori

ng H

abita

t/ Sp

ecie

s

Cor

al r

eef

rest

orat

ion

Seag

rass

bed

re

stor

atio

n M

angr

ove

rest

orat

ion

End

ange

red

Spec

ies

reco

very

pro

gram

s

Cor

al w

atch

ing

usin

g gl

ass

botto

med

boa

t

Snor

kelin

g

Scub

a di

ving

Fish

ing

& c

rabb

ing

Res

earc

h w

ith p

erm

it

Nav

igat

ion

Aqu

acul

ture

Stoc

k en

hanc

emen

t of

fish

es

Mandapam Y Y Y Y Y N N N N Y N N Y Keelakkarai Y Y Y Y Y N N N N Y N N Y Vembar Y Y Y Y Y N N N N Y N N Y

Core Zone

Tuticorin Y Y Y Y Y N N N N Y N N Y Buffer Zone Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Eco-Development Zone

Y N N Y Y Y N N Y Y Y Y Y

Water Y N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Tourism Zone Land Y N N Y N N N N - Y Y N

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park history

•1975: establishment

•1979: first formal zoning (12, 000 km2)

•1981: first formal zoning plan

(4.7% of area ‘no take’)

•1988: zoning strategy for 98% of area

•2004: implemented revised zoning plan

(including 33% of area ‘no take’)

Goal 3.3: Develop, apply and transfer appropriate technologies

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Goal 3.4: Ensure financial sustainability

Example GBR zoning map, Cairns FNQ

Goal 3.4: Ensure financial sustainability

Effective development and implementation of an MPA requires

e.g. Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park•Adaptive management: built in flexibility

•Appropriate boundary definition: biological, cultural, political

•Transparent and highly participatoryprocess

•Incorporation of both scientific and traditional knowledge

Goal 3.5: Strengthen communication, education and public awareness

Rapid recovery of fish populations with protection

Goal 4.3: Assess and monitor ecosystem status and trends

Participatory Governance of Marine Protected Areas

Resources are in the CPR Regime

Multiple user agencies

Resources use are often non-sustainable

Conflicting interest of resource use

Current Status of EDC Zone (Administrative setup) of Gulf of

Mannar Biosphere Reserve

Director

GOMBRT

Su

b-z

on

e

Eco Developmental Officer

Mandapam Keelakarai Erwadi Thoothukudi

Danushkodi

Pambam

Uchipuli

No sub-zonal officer

Periapattinam

Thinaikulam

Keelakarai

Erwadi

Mariyur

Kamarajapuram

Vembar

Thoothukudi

Ratchenyapuram

No Zonal officer

Transferred

No sub-zonal officer

Zo

ne

No sub-zonal officer

No sub-zonal officerNo sub-zonal officer

No Zonal officer

Sociologist

Proposed Administrative Setup of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere

Reserve Management Authority

Rural Development Officer

(Sociologist)*EDO

(North)

Deputy Director

of Fisheries*

Zonal Officer

Eco-development

(Sayalkudi)

3 sub-zonal

Officers

NGOs

EDCs & VMCCs

Zonal Officer

Eco-development

(Tuticorin)

3 sub-zonal

Officers

NGOs

EDCs & VMCCs

Zonal Officer

Eco-development

(Mandapam)

3 sub-zonal

Officers

NGOs

EDCs & VMCCs

Zonal Officer

Eco-development

(Keelakarai)

3 sub-zonal

Officers

NGOs

EDCs & VMCCs

Tourism and

Interpretation Officer*

Tourism and

Interpretation Officer*

Governing Body

Director

Gulf of Mannar Biosphere

Authority

(CCF)

WLW

GOMNP

Research Biologist*

Scientist C

ACF

Protection, restoration

& Management

(South)

RFO

(Tuticorin)RFO

(Vembar)

ACF

Protection, restoration

& Management

(North)

RFO

(Mandapam)

RFO

(Keelakarai)

GIS & RS

(System Manager)

Laboratory

Aquarium

preservation staff

EDO

(South)

3 sub-zonal

Officers

NGOs

EDCs & VMCCs

Zonal Officer

Eco-development

(Tiruchendur)

Resources…

Thanks!

Stuart Chape