Documentation and dissemination of results

Improving Sanctuary policy and management practice

As the concerned governments started implementing the Agreement during successive Meetings of Parties, it had become clear that the countries had no intention of creating a proper management body for the Pelagos Sanctuary, and that, as a consequence, management action was insufficient to contrast the existing threats to the area’s cetaceans (shipping, disturbance, noise and chemical pollution, etc.). This stimulated the NGO and scientific communities in France and Italy to exert pressure on government agencies and promote awareness action through the media and other means, the communication of scientific results, and the dissemination of a petition to increase the Sanctuary conservation effectiveness.

Engaging NGO community

political will for MPA designation is not necessarily followed by sufficient commitment on ensuring that the MPA achieves its goals; dropping the initial Biosphere Reserve proposal was a mistake.

Multi-national

Notarbartolo di Sciara et al 2008

http://www.tethys.org/tethys/pelagos-sanctuary/

Developing and implementing an international agreement

After the signature (Brussels, 1993) of a joint declaration leading to the designation of a marine mammal sanctuary by the ministers of the Environment of France, Italy and Monaco, negotiations for a trilateral Agreement started. After several negotiation meetings, an agreement text was developed and the Agreement was signed in Rome in November 1999. The Agreement came into force in 2002.

Political support by the Prince of Monaco and others.

More stringent agreements leading to implementation of management plans and proper funding commitments.

Implementation

Documentation and dissemination of results

Multi-national

Rehabilitation of the banks of the mouth of Lake Togo

Structure built in the ocean to protect the city of Aného.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Bank of the lagoon and rehabilitated road.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Southern embankment in the city of Aného. The stabilized bank enables the resumption of fishing activities.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Embankment in the city of Aného.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Phosphate mud in Kpémé.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Primary school threatened by erosion in the village of Agbodrafo.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Beach erosion before construction work.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Abandoned house in the city of Aného.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Several abandoned houses in an area subject to erosion.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Proposition for a protection plan.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Resource extraction.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Unprotected sectors in Baguida.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Rehabilitated mangroves.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Reinforcement of embankments of the mouth of Lake Togo: construction of a rocky structure, paving of the street and creation of a parking area.

Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Contribution à l’amélioration de la résilience à l‘érosion côtière au Togo’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.

Planning phase

Implementation

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

Subnational

National

Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Contribution à l’amélioration de la résilience à l‘érosion côtière au Togo’

Use of Information and Communication Technologies

Awareness-raising activity on the beach on the themes of erosion.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

Coastal seascape model in Togo.

Pessièzoum Adjoussi

A vulnerability map was compiled after performing a field survey with use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies. This has allowed to identify the areas most vulnerable to erosion.

Planning phase

Implementation

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Contribution à l’amélioration de la résilience à l‘érosion côtière au Togo’

Post training monitoring of progress and feedback

The monitoring of the interpretive efforts over time is essential as it provides continued reinforcement that the interpretation is working. Furthermore, it also acts as an opportunity for the operators to come together and discuss openly challenges faced, challenges overcome and success stories they have enjoyed. Learning from each other is the best possible feedback and having a facilitated opportunity to do this makes it realistic and beneficial to the overall effort of protecting the marine resources. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) took on the responsibility of monitoring the interpretive efforts. The KWS was able to oversee a few meetings with various operators to discuss progress but sadly the monitoring momentum slowed down after the initial meetings.

Having regular meetings is essential. Do not assume that since the interpretive efforts are working well 2 weeks after the workshop that they will continue to do so for many more weeks thereafter. Continual reinforcement is a necessity.

In this particular solution the feedback sessions were appointed to a third party. Sadly this third party did not uphold their commitment to host these feedback sessions and as a result the interpretive efforts gradually reduced over time. When the same workshop was conducted in another Kenyan marine park efforts were made to maintain these feedback sessions and as a result interpretive efforts worked better over the long run.

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Review phase

Local

Interpretive tools to influence behavior

Distribution of materials on the reef environment to snorkel operators.

Sander den Haring

Distribution of materials on the reef environment to snorkel operators.

Sander den Haring

Distribution of materials on the reef environment to snorkel operators.

Sander den Haring

Distribution of materials on the reef environment to snorkel operators.

Sander den Haring

To facilitate the interpretive efforts reaching the snorkeling clients a set of materials was designed and created to be used by the snorkel operators. This set of materials included: a 20-sided, A3, waterproof flip chart depicting organized information on the reef environment, a double sided water proof marine life identification slate, a salesman folder (used to sell excursions in a more organized and professional manner), flags used to brand the boats that undertook the training and deliver interpretive efforts, a uniform branded with the workshop logo and sign boards placed along the beach explaining what the branded logo stands for (so clients can choose their boats accordingly) and also depicting the newly developed code of conduct all boats will adhere to. This code of conduct was developed during the workshop in one of the group discussions.

Available funding for material production and free distribution of materials.

It is important to create easy to use and clear materials that any of the target audience (in this case coastal snorkel boat operators) can use. Apart from just designing these materials, it is essential that training be included in how to use these materials. This offers the target audience an opportunity to ask questions about the materials or overcome their fears of not understanding what each material is used for. The training session described above was essential in making the target audience more comfortable with the materials. Some of the participants who were too shy during the training to make use of this practice session were not seen using the materials after the workshop. Showing the target audience how easy it is to use these materials is very important.

Implementation

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

Subnational

National

Community data collection and participatory analysis

Kisiwa Panza Village Fishers Committee participatory analysis workshop

Mwambao

Kisiwa Panza Village Fishers Committee participatory analysis workshop

Mwambao

Training data recorders in Kukuu, Pemba

Mwambao

Kisiwa Panza Village Fishers Committee participatory analysis workshop

Mwambao

This building block relates to the ownership and in situ analysis of collected monitoring data. At the pilot site, four village school-leavers were recruited and trained to record data on octopus catches at each of two landing sites. Training was given in weighing and measuring the catch of 30 fishers/day over the 16 main fishing days of the lunar month (spring tides). Data books were then submitted monthly to the data logger; a local school teacher who was trained in excel using a laptop computer. Project leaders kept in regular contact with data recorders and the results were checked to identify problems at an early stage. After 8 months of recording, two parameters were chosen by which to examine the results of the exercise with the recording team: total catch per fishing period for both landing sites, and average size of octopus per fishing period. Recorders were shown how to make bar-charts to display the results. A detailed discussion with project leaders explored what the data and trends might suggest. The data recorders then visited the headquarters of the Department for Fisheries Development and presented their results. An ensuing discussion explored the implications for management and any changes suggested.

Members of the community that can read and write in order to be able to make written records of catch data
Buyers who are amenable to their catch being weighed and recorded at the landing site
A community member who can be trained to log data on a laptop
Regular support and interest in the work of the data recorders by project leaders
A supporting partner/project leader who can facilitate simple analysis of data collected in a participatory manner

Data recorders need a thorough understanding of the data to be collected and of the importance of correct recordings. (People’s exact names and ages, as well as the time spent fishing are important so that fishing effort can be calculated for instance).
Regular logging and checking of data is crucial so that mistakes or misunderstandings can be picked up early and corrected accordingly (use of a restricted entry form (macro) helps minimize errors).
Participatory analysis of data needs to be given adequate time and kept at a level that is easily assimilated and presented.
Participatory analysis of data gives the data recorders and the Village Fisheries Committee pride and confidence in their work and raises their standing with Fisheries Department officers. It also gives them evidence/references for discussion of future management options with the community.

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Review phase

Local

Alternative livelihoods

Shrimp farming cage

Jonas Kemajou Syapze

Shrimp farming and cassava cultivation to reduce the pressure on mangroves and increase the resilience of women to climate change impacts.

Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

National

Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’

Community management

Amelioration and adaptation of smoking ovens

Jonas Kemajou Syapze

Smoking ovens before and after the project

Jonas Kemajou Syapze

Women organized in initiative groups in each community. Community saving allowing for the regeneration of 3 ha of mangrove forest.

Implementation

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

National

Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’

Critical reflection and review

Reflection and review gives room to an evaluation of the learning and change that has occurred and the contributing factors. It is an essential part of the process to ensure that learning continues. Engaging in a critical reflection and review of the changes that have happened enables dissonance borders to be stretched and for participants to acknowledge mistakes and successes and to be able to determine the reasons why. Through engaging in a reflexive practice, new influences and pressures were also considered as benefits and or constraints. These then informed subsequent actions.

Synthesizing information, creating space for knowledge learning and sharing of experiences to understand and change outcomes from local people’s perspectives. Understanding the different roles and responsibilities has proven to strengthen relationships necessary for sustainable prosperity of interactions locally and globally.

Lesson learning has been a priority from the outset and the project adopted a participatory action framework for its evaluation. A range of data collection methods was used, ranging from informal discussions and focus groups to photo-voice exercises. As the data and lessons learned were through a collaborative process, so the shift toward sustainable change outcomes was also collaborative, highlighting the importance of shared learning and importance of creating space for a deliberative dialogue between different participants. This reflexive approach ensures those lessons are continually learned collaboratively and that sustainable change and adaptation become synonymous.

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Review phase

Local

Subnational

Official website of Sazani