REGIONAL PLAN OF ACTION OF SEA TURTLE FORAGING HABITATS IN SOUTH EAST ASIAN WATERS

Transcription

1 The Seventeenth Meeting of Fisheries Consultative Group of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Strategic Partnership (FCG/ASSP) Sunee Grand Hotel & Convention Center, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand 4-5 December 2014 WP06.5a REGIONAL PLAN OF ACTION OF SEA TURTLE FORAGING HABITATS IN SOUTH EAST ASIAN WATERS Executive Summary The Regional Plan of Action of Sea Turtle Foraging Habitats in South East Asian Waters had been developed through a series of meetings, participatory and consultative process involving fishery, national park and sea turtle experts from the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Member Countries organized by the Marine Fishery Resources Development and Management Department (MFRDMD). The Regional Plan of Action was finalized and adopted by experts from participating ASEAN Member States (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) at the Regional Meeting on Conservation and Management of Sea Turtle Foraging Habitats in Southeast Asian Waters held on 22 nd -24 th October 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Plan of Action outlines the possible future actions in the ASEAN region in conservation of sea turtle populations. There are nine countries in the Southeast Asian region, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia Myanmar Singapore, the Philippines Thailand and Vietnam who confirmed that sea turtle landed and nested on their beaches. Most of these countries have small areas of foraging Thus it is imperative that the Regional Plan of Action needs to be implemented in all countries to ensure the survivals of sea turtle populations. We hope that all countries will implement the Regional Plan of Action based on their expertise and capability. This Regional Plan of Action will complement the existing National Plan of Action that has been established in some countries in the region. There are six objectives of the Regional Plan of Action. Each country is welcome to set their deadline based on their capabilities. The objectives are: i) To Protect and Conserve Sea Turtle Foraging Habitats; ii) To Reduce Direct and Indirect Cause of Sea Turtle Mortality in Foraging Habitats; iii) To Strengthen Research and Monitoring in Sea Turtle Foraging Habitats; iv) To Increase Community Participation through Information Dissemination and Education; v) To Strengthen Integrated Management of Sea Turtles; and vi) Secure Funding for Sea Turtle Conservation. Several programs and actions had been proposed in order to achieve the objectives. These programs and actions were prepared as guidelines for each country in the region to carry out according to their own capability. The outputs and indicators of each activity were also proposed in the Regional Plan of Action to evaluate the achievements. Required Consideration by the 17 th FCG/ASSP The 17 th FCG/ASSP Meeting is requested to endorse the Regional Plan of Action of Sea Turtle Foraging Habitats in South East Asian Waters and recognize it as a regional plan of action. SEAFDEC/MFRDMD 1

2 REGIONAL PLAN OF ACTION OF SEA TURTLE FORAGING HABITATS IN SOUTHEAST ASIAN WATERS OBJECTIVE 1: PROTECT AND CONSERVE SEA TURTLE FOMGING HABITATS a) ldentify an determine the a) Database of status of sea status of sea turtle foraging turtle foraging habitat. b) Designate, declare/gazette b) Increase protection of sea and manage protected/ turtle foraging conservation areas of foraging habitats and other sea turtle critical habitats through legal and practical means. a) Sea turtle foraging habitats are identified within 5 years. b) Most FB0Yo) of the major sea turtle foraging habitats are protected by legislation, c) Develop incentives and promote usage of turtlefriendly fishing gears and methods amongst local communities and fisheries sector. Increase usage of turtlefriendly fishingears and methods. c) Significant reduction by at least 50o/o within 5 vears 0 ldentify and manage d) Dialog sessions anthropogenic impacts at sea turue foraging Significant reduction of anthropogenic impacts at sea turtle foraging (Benchmark percentage will depend on each counfy) e) ldentify and establish best practice waste disposal programmes to reduce imoact of marine debris at sea turtle foraging Best practice waste disposale) Significant reduction of programmes adopted. marine debris at sea turtle foraging timeframe 5 years 0 lncorporate sea turtle conservation issues within national integrated coastal zone management or other equivalent management systems. lmproved conservation measures for sea turtles. National integrated coastal zone management or other equivalent management system includes sea turtles conservation issues in olace. g) Ensure tourism guidelines include sea turtle conservation issues in their eco{ourism activities. Sea turtle conservation issues g) Increased awareness are included ecotourism (> B0o/o) of sea tuftle activities -Pre and post conservation in the ecotourism assessmen$. industry. a) Organize regular clean-up a) Clean sea turtle foraging exercises at foraging a) At least twice per year. b) Enhance recovery of degraded b) lmproved sea turtle foraging b) Significant reduction of foraging habitats by closing the areas to human activities. anthropogenic impacts on sea turtle foraging

3 OBJECTIVE 2: REDUCEDIRECT AND INDIRECT CAUSES OF SEA TURTLE MORTALITYIN FORAGING HABITATS Programs ' Adiqr+s OutPuts _ ln(ficdrtors a) Document and collate a) Documentation of threats existing anecdotal and to sea turtle populations in empirical data on nature and foraging grounds. magnitude of threats to sea turtle populations including poaching. a) Annual update of the documents. a) Develop research and Turtle friendly fishingears technologies to reduce developed impacts of coastal gillnets and other fishing gears (e.9. sonic pinger). b).strengthen implementationlmproved implementation of of existing legislation which existing legislation. prohibits direct harvest and domestic trade of meat, parts and products of all species of SCA tuftics, The technology will be practiced if found effective. Significant reduction in direct harvest and domestic trade of meat, parts and products of all species of sea turtles. c) Enact and enforce legislation requiring the use of sea turtle-friendly fishingears and methods. Relevant legislations are enacted. n\ Significant increase usage of sea turtle-friendly fishing gears and methods. g) Establish regular stakeholder consultations prior to development and modification of areas near sea turtle foraging h) Eliminate harvest of sea turtles by coastal communities in foraging habitats through awareness pr0gramme. Regulated/minimized fishing activities at major foraging d).regulate, and where appropriate eliminate, fishing practices at major foraging e) Observer programme on fishing vessels (if possible) should also include recording of sea turtle by-catch f) Strengthencooperation among regional member countries to combat poacning of sea turtles. Database on sea turtle bycatch on fishing vessels. Establish networki ng and mutual agreements on sea turtle poaching. - Compilailon of known poaching activities and legal Consensus among stakeholders on developments and modifications. Awareness programmes in place. Significant reduction in sea turtle mortality. Annual updates on records of sea turtle by-catch on fishing vessels Significant reduction in sea turtle poaching. Rational developments and modifications. Significant reduction in sea turtle harvest.

4 Programs Actions Outputs Indicators Adopt and adapt the best conservation and management practices for sea turtle populations. Best conservation and management practices for sea turtle populations are adopted. Increased population of sea tunles. Monitor and regulate incidents of illegal trade of sea turtles and their products. Database on illegal trades of Availability of records sea turtles and their products. reflecting the true volume of illegal trade on sea turtles and their products. a) Incorporate sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation activities into existing wildlife management, government agency and educational/ research facilities. lmproved sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation activities. Established rescue and rehabilitation facilities. b) Promote establishment of seab) Sea turtle stranding network. tufrle stranding network. c) Promote collaboration c) Established collaboration and and information exchange updated information. among regional and national - alert system through agencies and institutions website IOSEA-M0U during emergency or disaster situations (e.9. oil spill, turtle injuries) Minimum of one network per country. lmproved collaboration and information exchange. d) 0rganize specialized training in sea tudle rescue and rehabilitation procedures just after network Established rapid response team. At least two trainings per year per c0unlry. e) 0rganize training for e) Knowledgeablefishermen e) At least two trainings per year fishermen and enforcementand enforcement oersonnel. per counlry, personnel in the use of sea turtle-friendly fishing gears and relevant laws. -:.{i3. *... t., 3 -',,-.i...,* I

5 OBJECTIVE 3: STRENGTHEN RESEARCH AND MONITORING ln FORAGING HABITATS a) Compile, collate and document a) Country reports highlighting. One report by each country per research information on sea uodated information, year. turtles and their foraging summarized data on foraging habitats and the species comoosition within each habitat. Assess current projects and b) A threat-analysis document o At least one document per methodology and continue/ leading to a prioritisation country on threats. expand successful research. exercise and subsequent identification of key habitats and populations. Expand present surveys on c) A sharedatabase to o One sharedatabase. major sea turtle populations and their foraging habitats based on the IUCN Marine Turlle Specialist Group accommodate research and monitoring information in keeping with standard international orotocols. standard methods. Prioritise major foraging sites in each country and A complete list of regional major foraging sites and the. At least two research activities within 5 years per country determine theiresearch and management needs. research and management activities needed to be canied out. lnclude in IOSEA-MOU database site network Initiate long-term research Establishment of. At least two research activities and monitoring activities at comprehensive scientif ic within 5 years per country key foraging habitats by each c0untry. information on key foraging Utilise genetic analysis to Mixed stock of sea turtle. Complete report on mixed stock identify mixed stock of sea populations in foraging of sea turtle population in each turtle populations in foraging habitats were identified key foraging Continue studies on sea turtle s) Comprehensive informationo One national report on sea population dynamics (growth on the status of sea turtles' turtle biology & population rate, sex ratio, population size, biology and populations and and migration pattern in key survival rates, etc.), diet and their migration patterns in key foraging sites of each country. their migration patterns. foraging sites. Mitigate the impacts of naturalh) Mitigation measures to. Significant reduction and anthropogenic factors to sea turtle survival in their foraging reduce sea turtle mortality due to natural impacts and anthropogenic factors in foraging habitats are implemented. Determine the genetic origin The natal origin of sea turtles o Complete report on the natal of sea turtles confiscated from confiscated from poaching and origin of sea turtles confiscated poaching incidents and bycatch by-catch in foraging habitats from poaching and by-catch in in foraging were identified. key foraging habitats from each country. Analyse information on tagging, satellite tracking and Determining the migration patterns or routes of sea o Shared information on tagging by using remote sensing and foraging habitat using remote sensing and GIS systems. turtles at key foraging habitats in the region. GIS systems.

6 Programs Actions Outputs Indicators Intensify collaborative a) Published documentations, At least one document per research amongovernment c0unrry, agencies, NG0s and other related stakeholders within a country. Intensify efforts on regional collaborations towards research and monitoring activities of sea tuftles in foraging Develop collaborative efforts to assess the impacts of bycatch of sea turtles through fishing activities and ghost fishing (caught incidentally ghost net). Increase awareness among the scientific communities through regular meetings and fora. Strengthened the national and regional collaboration efforts on a by-catch through fishing activities and ghost f ishing. At least one meeting the region every two years. One national report once per year One regional report every two years. Promote publication and dissemination of research findings. Develop/utilize an updated regional database on sea turtles and their foraging Published research f indings At least one report by each and dissemination to member country per year countries. One regional scientific report every two years a) Updated regional database.. a One shared regional database -losea-m0u database Develop a clearing house b) A clearing house mechanismone regional clearing house mechanism to disseminate information to relevant stakeholders within the Southeast Asian countries. - IOSEA-MOU website mechanism. Lltla r...i1+{ r.: ',.i --J i :

7 OBJECTIVE 4: INCREASE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION THAT MAY HAVE DIRECT IMPACT ON FO RAGING HABITATTH ROUGH I N FORMATION DISSEM INATION AN D EDUCATION. a) Involve stakeholders in i) Regular meetings among. At least two stakeholder planning and implementation stakeholders. meetings per year per country. of conservation and ii) One planned project /activity. 0ne project document. management efforts. ii i) Consensus among stakeholeders in formulating management measures. b) Educate public on sea turtle conservation measures. Awareness campaigns and ASSESSMCNIS Increased awareness by at least 10% per year. _ Incorporate local knowledge and best applicable traditional practices into management strategies of sea turtles and their foraging Evaluate and mitigate the impacts of local villagers on sea turtle foraging habitats, including, coral reefs and seagrass beds. Promote the best fishing practices to minimize negative impacts to sea turtle populations and their foraging Encourage immediate release of accidentally-caught sea turtles among fisherman through incentives schemes. More comprehensive and improve management measures. Sites assessments and mitigation measures. Workshops and promotion campaign. Programs on release of sea turtles. More than 950/0 acceptance by stakeholders on management measures. One updated report per year per country. At least one workshop per year per counrry. r At least one program per year.. Significant reduction of mortality in accidentallycaught sea turtles Encourage reporting of More information on origins tag recovery information of turtles coming to the by fisherman through foraging incentives schemes and sharing of such information amongmanagement and research agencies and NGOs. o At least one report per country implementing tagging pr0gram. ldentify and promote suitablee) Suitable alternative livelihood. r Significant reduction alternative livelihood for local harmful activities. communities engaging activities detrimental to sea turtles and their foraging

8 OBJECTIVE 5: STRENGTHEN INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF SEA TURTLESAT FOMGING HABITATS. a) Strengthen regional a) lmproved conservation and collaboration for conservationmanagement of sea turtles at and management of sea foraging turtles at foraging o Guidelines on conservation and management of sea turtles at foraging habitats in place. b) Promote the establishment of b) Sea turtle foraging habitats o At least two foraging habitat sea turtle foraging habitats as gazetted as marine protected cited in IOSEA site network. marine orotected areas. areas. o At least one sea turtle foraging habitat gazetted as MPA within 5 years. c) Encourage where c) Transboundary sea turtle appropriate, the development foraging habitats gazetted as of transboundary sea turtle marine protected areas. foraging habitats as marine orotected areas. d) Strengthen collaboration d) lmproved data collection on with relevant agencies to incidental-catches of sea obtain comprehensive data turtles in the region. on incidental-catches of sea turtles. o At least one transboundary sea turtle foraging habitat, where appropriate, cited in IOSEA site network.. The transboundary sea turtle foraging habitat, where appropriate, declared as orotected area. o Updated data or information on incidental-catches of sea turtles in the region. a) Review existing policies and laws to address gaps in conservation and management of sea turtles at their foraging b) Strengthen enforcement on fishing activities that is detrimental to sea turtles at their foraging Revised policies and laws that include conservation and management of sea turtles al their foraging. ldentified gaps are resolved. b) Reduction in non compliance Significant reduction of non with existing fishing comoliance. regulations. c) Harmonize national Harmonized oolicies and policies and regulations regulations in accordance on conservation and with national legislation and management of sea turtles international aoreements. in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. d) Encourage prior inform d) Increase transparency in consent among appropriate implementing activities on agencies in protecting sea orotection of sea turtle at turtle at their foraging their foraging Harmonized policies and regulations in place. Significant reduction of conflicts among stakeholders

9 lmplement effective e) ldentified gaps in. Significant reduction of measures to reduce poaching enforcement capabilities, poaching activities in sea of sea turtles at their foraging and training of enforcement turtle at their foraging habitats officers. within 5 years. Exchange and discuss information on compliance and trade issues at reular intervals, such as through annual reporting and regional meeting. Resolved issues related to. Significant reduction of illegal illegal trade of sea turtles and trade of sea turtles and by by producb. products. Review, clarify and facilitate a) Obligations are complied to compliance with obligations by countries. under relevant srgned international agreements.. Greater efficiency in conservation and management of sea turtle in their foraging

10 OBJECTIVE 6: SECURE FUNDING FOR SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT a) ldentify available funding a) Database of funding sourceso All known funding sources are sources including govermenl are created. identified. and inter- govermental agencies, non profit organizations, scientif ic research grants and private foundations. b) Develop capacity at national b) capacity to prepare proposals. Trained personnel to prepare level h prepare proposals proposals for funding. which secure funding from gwerment and interg0vermental programs and non- goverment instifu tions. c) Develop regional proposalsc) Suitable proposals are for fund raising which submitted to UNEP-GEF and address multi- sectoral and others. integrated conservation approaches.. Proposals are accepted and fund secured within 3 years.