The Endangered Wildlife Trust s Dugong Emergency Protection Project

Transcription

1 The Endangered Wildlife Trust s Dugong Emergency Protection Project In partnership with the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park Securing core Dugong herds and habitat by mitigating major threats and strengthening existing structures from 2011 to 2020.

2 Project Rationale: Acknowledging that East Africa s single remaining Dugong population is located within and bordering the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, and noting that this population is under threat from harmful and illegal fishing activities; the Endangered Wildlife Trust entered into a Support Partnership with The National Directorate of Conservation Areas through the implementation of the Dugong Emergency Protection Project. The Partnership was formalised in 2011, and intends to enhance the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park s law enforcement capabilities where these pertain to illegal fishing and other unlawful and harmful activities that impact on Dugongs and the marine environment. The Dugong Emergency Protection was designed in 2010 by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) in response to the most immanent threats identified through the 2009 Maputo International Dugong Conference proceedings and recommendations. The Project seeks to secure core Dugong herds and habitat by mitigating major threats and strengthening existing structures in collaboration with various institutions and Government authorities. Project Activities: The Dugong Emergency Protection Project is focussed on implementing the following activities in order to enhance Dugong conservation in the Western Indian Ocean and Mozambique: i. Facilitate enhanced law enforcement within the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park by identifying resource, training, and capacity requirements, and providing these where necessary and to the best of EWT s ability. ii. Develop a marine themed local environmental education curriculum, and host teacher-training workshops to facilitate the effective delivery of lesson plans. iii. Identify and implement where feasible, a range of sustainable alternative livelihood opportunities for resident fishing communities in order to reduce dependence on marine resources, maintain the BANP as a prime tourism resource for Mozambique, and stimulate the local economy. iv. Raise the public profile of Dugongs so these become Bazaruto s flagship species. v. Securing National and International funds to sustain the Dugong Emergency Protection project and the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park s Law Enforcement department. Project Progress: In 2011, the DEPP was selected amongst 500 funding applications as 1 of 15 recipients of a SOS grant, to the value of $90,000. This gained the DEPP and the Bazaruto Archipelago International recognition by the IUCN, World Bank, and the Global Environmental Facility. In collaboration with the BANP Administrator, identified resource and equipment needs required to enhance the effectiveness of BANP s Law Enforcement division.

3 Facilitated the development of a revised Law Enforcement Strategy to improve marine patrol coverage and monitoring systems, including the creation of Standard Operational Procedures. Provided support/ funds/ equipment and assistance to the BANP from 2011 until present, to the value of 3,227,608 MZN as per the details below: 1. Bushnell 10x50 binoculars (x5) to the value of R1, Digital camera to the value of R1, Two-man tents (x3) to the value of R Boat hire to transport 22 tourism operators from Vilanculos to Sitone for the annual BANP meeting in 2012, to the value of 12,000MZN. 5. GPS hand-held units (x2) to the value of R2, Rechargeable battery charger to the value of R New 20 foot fiberglass law enforcement boats (x2) with centre console and 40HP four-stroke motors to the value of $35, Catering for the boat inauguration ceremony held for the local community leaders and District Authorities, to the value of 7,085MZN. 9. Boat cleaning supplies to the value of 1,490MZN. 10. Boat moorings and anchor ropes to the value of 1,600MZN. 11. Boat logo stickers to the value of R1, Boat fuel to the value of 59,854MZN. 13. Boat insurance to the value of R5,580 (R558 per month). 14. Boat registration through Maritimo to the value of 14,350MZN 15. Boat services (20hr, 50hr, and 100hr) to the value of R9, Annual skipper licences (x2) to the value of 4,700MZN. 17. Stationary to the value of R2, VHF Radio communication network including 5 base stations, 2 marineapproved boat radios, and 8 waterproof portables to the value of $20, Project management, fund raising, administrative, and governance support to the value of R456, GPS and tablet training. 21. SOP training. 22. Aerial surveillance and monitoring for 20 hours including pilot fees, aircraft maintenance, and fuel to the value of R18,000. Funding for a further 180 hours of surveillance flying has been sourced. 23. Marine patrol mapping and data management.

4 Facilitation of an effective law enforcement strategy including marine patrol route planning, monitoring, and mapping. New boats are welcomed by the island community, and are well maintained according to SOP s to ensure their longevity & effective use.

5 BANP map (left) shows coverage using 200L of fuel in the new law enforcement boats. BANP map (right) shows coverage also using 200L of fuel in the Sasol-donated boat. This indicates the difference in fuel consumption. The new boats are x10 more fuel efficient. GPS training; Head of Law Enforcement- Tomas Manasse assists all Scouts understand the operation of GPS units, and outcomes of marine patrols are demonstrated.

6 A very happy team receives and installs the powerful radio communication network which has proved to be an effective law enforcement tool. Aerial surveillance requires a quick hand and keen eyes. Scouts undergo a practical selection course to determine who is best-suited for the task.

7 Aerial surveillance and monitoring augments boat-based law enforcement activities. While the pilot and a scout fly, they re able to cover vast areas of the park in minutes, and spotting illegal activities is effortless. The aircraft is in constant communication with the law enforcement boats, and relays any illegal activities- to which the boats follow-up on immediately. Over time, this data will allow the Park to create an updated Dugong distribution map showing long-term trends and also identify fishing hot-spots according to tide, moon phase, and possibly season. Accordingly- law enforcement operations can be adjusted. April & May marine patrol coverage (right) performed 1,377km of marine patrols recording; reacting to 69 infringements, confiscating 1,167 items of illegal harvesting equipment including 2 gill nets, and seizing 358kg of illegally harvested resources. 37% of all fishing boats recorded were conducting illegal activities, and 78% of these boats originate from the mainland.

8 Revised patrol coverage map indicating each boat s individual patrol effort during June. Patrol data also allows the Park to map the location of all illegal fishing activities, and determine which areas require follow-up patrol activity or further investigation. Patrol coverage can be measured over the duration of a year, and maps can be produced to display the annual coverage.

9 Environmental education and awareness; EWT delivers interactive marine-themed lessons at Benguerra Primary school weekly, and has compiled 24 lesson plans into a local curriculum. It is hoped that additional funds can be raised in order to host teacher-training workshops in 2014 that will guide teachers through the simple process of delivering these lessons. The EWT has identified 2 sustainable alternative livelihood opportunities for the island communities that involve eco-tourism and responsible seafood consumer choices. These will be tested and evaluated between July 2013 and July 2014.

10 Acknowledgements: The EWT would like to acknowledge the Dugong Emergency Protection Project sponsors, and thank the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park for their collaborative efforts to mitigate Dugong mortality in the Greater Bazaruto region. Contact Information: Dugong Emergency Protection (Project Executant): Karen Allen Contact: Tel: Mobile (South Africa): Mobile (Mozambique): / Web: Estamos juntos!