Scientists, who have been monitoring the area before it was closed, estimate a 500% increase in biomass within the area since the closure. The area, previously covered with sea urchins, is now a thriving biodiversity hotspot with the balance restored. The elders report new species in the MPA that have not been seen in living memory. The coral, previously destroyed by human feet, has recovered quickly and the lagoon area is now known as one of the best snorkelling destinations on the Kenyan coast. Local and international students come and learn in our living marine classroom. Turtles feed on the seagrass beds undisturbed, and the number of nests has increased significantly. The area has returned from being a marine desert to a marine paradise and a critical model globally that shows how a poor community can help conserve nature and benefit from it too. Bigger and better catches outside the MPA has ensured support for the permanent closure.

The purpose of designing cage to be undertaken is to abate identified threats from predators.  Young clams are highly vulnerable to crabs (e.g. Thalamita spp., Demania spp.) that use their chelae to crush the shell valves; wrasses (Halichoeres spp.) feed on the byssus and foot of unanchored clams; and pyramidellid and ranellid snails are parasitic (Alcazar 1986). Tooth marks on the outer shell surfaces are indicative of attacks by grazing reef fish (Stasek 1965). For older clams, potential predators include eagle rays, turtles and large benthivorous fish (Bustard 1972; Govan et al. 1993), but their impact is reduced as the clams grow towards escape size (Adams et al. 1988).This is an explanation of why different cage design have been selected.

By working with the people’s organizations and fish wardens, the communities were sensitized on the negative effects of illegal fishing, unregulated mangrove cutting and as well as the hazards brought about by climate change.  SIKAT , a non-government organization and a member of the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, conducts workshops and provides support to the community organizations . They develop and distribute Information, Education, Communication (IEC) materials and distribute them to the communities to transfer knowledge and promote environment protection and conservation.   Surigao State College of Technology also mobilizes their students and faculties to do climate change related researches and to develop climate-resilient technologies for fishers and farmers, aside from conducting capacity building and public awareness raising activities on climate change. 

The local government unit (LGU) in Siargao Island recognized the importance of involving the communities in the implementation of adaptation strategies to ensure sustainability, and for the communities to own the responsibility in the care of their natural resources. The mayor of Del Carmen organized  fish wardens from among the local fisherfolk, trained and deputized them to enforce the fisheries laws and ordinances.  He also organized people’s organization at the village level and trained and deputized them to manage the marine protected areas, and to carry out alternative livelihood activities. Empowering these groups , through trainings other government agencies and from Sentro Para sa Ikauunland ng Katutubong Agham at Teknolohiya (SIKAT), a non-government organization implementing community-based coastal resource management and disaster risk reduction programs meant that they will be able to effectively carry out their tasks and responsibilities with minimal supervision from the LGU, and ensure the success in the implementation of adaptation strategies.  

The municipality of Del Carmen showed that it is serious in the implementation of fisheries law and ordinances when it organized the fish wardens and the People's Organizations (POs) in all its villages.  The local government and the Center for the Development of Indigenous Science and Technology or locally known as SIKAT, a non-government organization and a member of the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network,  provide the fish wardens support in form of training, honorarium and provision of supplies.  The fish wardens , in partnership with law enforcers, are instrumental in the apprehension of illegal fishers and illegal mangrove cutters and in significantly lowering down the number fishermen practicing said illegal activities.  The people’s organizations were also trained and deputized by the LGU and were instrumental in the protection of designated protected areas. Sugba Lagoon likewise became a “no-fishing” zone. These efforts helped in slowly restoring the marine resources of Sugba Lagoon, and of Del Carmen.

Through community consultations, the LGU  and non-government organizations regularly update the communities on policies and reminds them of the possible impact if the lagoon is degraded.  Dialogue on issues and discussions on solutions happen during these community consultations.  Information,  Education and Communication materials in brochure form are handed out and posters are placed in strategic locations. 

The active participation of organized community groups like DECATPOA , a People's Organization (PO) from Caub village where the lagoon is, and BACAMA, a PO composed of fisherfolk is crucial in this community-based venture.  Both POs were registered with the Security and Exchange Commission, were trained and deputized by the LGU to do environmental management, particularly management of marine protected areas. SIKAT, a non-government organization with significant years of experience in community-based coastal resource management trained them on basic ecology and provided them training and support on Marine Protected Area Management. Both POs have clearly defined organizational set-up, system of rules, defined roles and clear objective on sustaining resource management.  

Participatory mapping was done by local communities in collaboration with the forestry administration and support by GIZ. It involved a true ‘cantonal’ approach by facilitating joint meetings between communities. They prepared their land use maps with guidance from advisors. This allowed to develop the relevant knowledge base for land use and restoration opportunities at regional scale and showed the importance of ecosystem connectivity in a landscape. Main steps of mapping:

1. Preparation: Analysis & documentation of existing information, local visits to potential restoration sites, meetings with leaders of the prefecture and a launching workshop
2. Awareness raising campaign in all 9 cantons and identification of two local cartographers per village (150 in total)  
3. Training of local cartographers in the development of participatory maps and the use of geoinformation tools including GPS  
4. Participatory mapping with 77 communities including joint identification of problems, mapping, verification and ground truthing of land use units by local experts and cartographers
5. Development of final maps, validation and return of maps to local stakeholders

The various zones engage in joint zonal networking activities such as having joint learning and sharing forums, joint farmer exchange visits, joint exhibitions, joint proposal writing and implementation among others. This enhances learning and sharing amongst the network members as this provides an opportunity to interact. Through the zonal initiative, members are able to apply for consortium funds are this enhances their level of winning the funds. For instance,  five members from Nairobi and Central zone are currently implementing a joint project by the name Food Security and Livelihoods (FOSELI). This is a way of creating synergy and doing things that one member organization cannot do alone.

The decentralised zonal networking operates in such a manner that member organizations from a certain geographical region are clustered together in one zone. This brings together members who are experiencing similar challenges based on their geographical locations together.

The members are able to engage in decision making process and representation in various initiative in the national network is based on zonal representation and decisions

Members in the same zone are therefore able to meet more in a cost effective manner as limited time and resources is require to engage a fellow member organization in the same zone

The members in a certain zone are also able to engage in joint advocacy initiatives in their various regions