Implementation | PANORAMA

Evaluation of suitable sponge species

The slow growth rates of sponges and the seasonal variations given in Zanzibar require evaluation periods of at least two years to allow a judgement for a sponge species’ suitability. The process comprises several phases:

Collection of specimens of different sponge species in the wild (totally, more than 100 species were found and tested).
Evaluation of each species’ suitability as bath- or cosmetic sponges (e.g. consistency, hardness, water absorption capacity, attractiveness). Promising samples were directly taken to potential customers to evaluate market acceptance.
Growth tests of promising candidates (e.g. growth behaviour, growth rate, pest resistance, susceptibility to algal growth).
Candidates will be subjected to propagation and farming tests (questions to be answered were: can the sponges be efficiently multiplied via segmentation; what are the chances of survival for a cutting; do the cuttings grow fast enough; how much maintenance is required; is the process profitable etc.)

The most important factors for a successful evaluation phase are sufficient funds, continuous local presence of project managers, reliable local partners, partners in academia, a lot of patience and the ability to pitch both project and product to future producers and buyers respectively.

The long period of two years it took to find a suitable sponge species and to establish of the cultivation method was the greatest challenge in the initial phase of the project.

Initially, the determination of growth rates was approached using quantitative methods (i.e. tracking volume, weight and environmental factors over time). Over time, however, it became clear that the factors influencing sponge growth are myriad while the people working on the projects are not used to work according to exact criteria. The quality and suitability of a sponge are appropriately assessed by close observation and by developing a feel for the various indicators.

Inception phase

Implementation

Subnational

Background information

Marinecultures

Participatory landscape management

Mangrove nursery

A Rocha Ghana

Mangroves after 2months

A Rocha Ghana

Mangroves after 1year

A Rocha Ghana

Degradation of mangrove resources at the site led to loss of biodiversity undermined the ecological integrity of the site. This also affected the livelihood of community members who are predominantly fisherfolks. As part of efforts to restore the ecological integrity of the site, community members volunteered and supported efforts by A Rocha Ghana to replant degraded mangrove areas along the lagoon shore. Subsequently, it has improved the recovery of biodiversity at the site with records of migratory birds increasing as well as reports of increased fish recruitment for fisherfolk due to availability of spawning grounds for fish.

1. Increased awareness of impacts of anthropogenic activities on both biodiversity and livelihood. 2. Participatory planning of project design and implementation. 3. Good leadership ensures successful project outcomes.

Salinity levels can affect the growth of mangroves species planted at a site. Though diversification of species planted is important in supporting biodiversity, the history of the site being planted and feasibility of species survival should be considered so as to maximize resources used in restoration activities. The wider environment where restoration activities such as tree/mangrove planting are done should be monitored regularly to forestall incidents of domestic animals feeding on the planted area due to their proximity to living quarters’ of community members. If there are any such areas, these should be secured to prevent loss of plants to domestic animals.

Implementation

Local

Certification events

This building block is concerned with establishing a process for the use of the instruments and tools in assessing the competence of professionals and their suitability for certification. Such a process is known in WIO-COMPAS as an ‘event’, and starts with a call for applications from suitable professionals working at the appropriate level for the certification level focus of the event. The application process provides an initial screening to ensure as far as possible that the applicants have a very reasonable chance of certification. Applicants who are successful become ‘candidates’ and are invited to a 4 day event where the interactive assessment instruments are employed by experienced assessors. Prior to the event portfolios and the case studies are developed by the candidates. Assessors are appointed, following a rigorous selection and training process, and at Levels 1 and 2 each is assigned 3 or 4 candidates, whom they mentor through the process. At Level 3 the assessors work in concert as a panel. The final decision on whether to certify a candidate is not that of the assessors, but of the Certification Board acting on their recommendation.

Appointment of appropriately experienced, qualified and trained assessors with a good tacit knowledge of the field and/or assessment processes
Assessors acting as supportive mentors, rather than as judges
Inclusion of a rigorous application process
Provision of clear guidelines on all aspects of the process for applicants/candidates
Inclusion of a clear appeals process for dis-satisfied candidates
Established and trusted network which the Certifying Bodies are able to access for engaging organizations to send their staff to Events.

The quality and commitment of the assessors is paramount. The relationship developed between assessors and candidates needs to be both collegial and disciplined, maintaining the necessary distance while providing the necessary support. In WIO-COMPAS it has been agreed that assessors should preferably not be from the same institution as any of their candidates. While single assessors can have sufficient capacity to assess at Levels 1 and 2, Level 3 assessment requires a panel of specialists working in concert. Assessors, while having individual responsibility for a pool of candidates (except at Level 3), should frequently interact with each other and share the progress of their candidates. Ultimately the recommendations for certification or not, are submitted as a collective decision. Adequate time must be allowed for each stage in the process from initial applications, and for application of all instruments at the event.

Participatory development of alternative livelihoods

Snail farming - Alernative livelihood option

A Rocha Ghana

Beneficiary with her giant snails

A Rocha Ghana

Grasscutter rearing

A Rocha Ghana

In a participatory dialogue with community members, feasible conservation based livelihood ventures notably grasscutter rearing and giant snail farming were identified. In addition to training, beneficiaries were provided with a startup capital in the form of equipment and logistics. Beneficiaries were encouraged to pay back this start-up into a revolving fund to help support other people in the communities. Thus, the economic status of the communities’ members is enhanced, addressing the issues of poverty which was named as one of the reasons for excessive resource exploitation. This has also enhanced their efforts towards conservation of their natural resources.

1. Participatory planning of project design and implementation. 2. Provide hands-on income earning/skills development components in the project design as this serves as a motivating factor for community action. 3. Good leadership ensures successful project outcomes.

However, beware of community members that show weak leadership and commitment during the project implementation. Ensure that you resolve leadership challenges and find committed people to invest project resources as this can hamper success of project outputs.

Implementation

Local

Development of new sustainable decision-making skills

Community engagement

A Rocha Ghana

Contribution from participant during stakeholder engagement

A Rocha Ghana

Capacity gaps were identified through a survey and an assessment of stakeholders’ and community members’ needs. Based on this analysis, specific activities such as conservation education targeted at both communities and schools, livelihood training and replanting of degraded habitats and tools such as stakeholder dialogue platforms as a communication tool, and marketing techniques building on local conditions were developed. A learning and sharing approach was applied to provide the required technical and logistical support to enable beneficiaries notably community members who are most vulnerable to the challenges to utilize these new tools. The stakeholders and community members developed skills in alternative livelihood options and decision making mechanisms as well as the mandate to take action to stop detrimental activities that destroy resources and the environment. Institutions such as the district assembly were also engaged in some of the decision making mechanisms that could support the actions of community members. Thus, their ability to make informed decisions on issues pertaining to developing a balance between conservation and development is improved.

1. Work with existing institutions (if any) that impacted the area. 2. Try to build synergies. 3. Assign roles to participating stakeholders. 4. Good leadership ensures successful project outcomes.

Institutional collaboration is an essential tool when building synergies. In the past communities and government bodies in charge of resource management worked in isolation. However, collaborative efforts through projects such as the Community Mangrove Restoration, has broadened the opportunities to bridge the gaps between conservation and community development.

Implementation

Local

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.

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'.

Implementation

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

National

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

Sub-regional Alert Network of focal points

Sawfish biological sampling

DRDH

On field inquiries and sensitization with Guinea Focal Points : F. Doumbouya and M. Silla, coastal fisherman village in Tristao Islands.

DRDH

Visits to network members by the focal point of the country for data collection and awareness-raising.

Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘AfricaSaw, Réseau d’alerte/sauvegarde du poisson-scie, Afrique de l’Ouest’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.

Implementation

Monitoring

Multi-national

Technical support and research

The FISH-i Africa Task Force is facilitated and supported by a Technical Team of operational, legal and analytical experts and institutional partners, such as the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and the Indian Ocean Commission, that provide the information, skills, networks, experiences and insights required to assist the national enforcement officers of the Task Force. Using advanced satellite technology, vessels are tracked and profiles of the vessels, their fishing activities, their owners and the operation network are analysed. In the case of suspected illegal fishing activities, evidence is gathered and intelligence reports shared with the Task Force. Information is fed into a vessel database that will become a valuable tool for risk assessment, control and enforcement. With limited MCS capacities it is important to focus inspection efforts on vessels identified as high risk. Research on patterns and players of illegal fishing operations, on legal questions, on tools and technology as well as on links to fisheries crime improve the systematic understanding of illegal fishing in the WIO and this information informs future strategies.

An accessible, available and trusted expert Technical Team – that engages through transparent processes and dialogue was essential to provide requested analysis and support. Technical solutions and expertise to build a comprehensive database on vessels operating in the WIO including all relevant information on vessel characteristics, history and ownership and to conduct research on illegal fishing.

The technical expert team provides case-specific direct assistance to Task Force members in the form of legal opinions, investigative support, operational advice, historic analysis of vessels and companies, as well as advice on options for taking action forward. This allows them to do their jobs better and gives them access to support from experts. Challenges: A high level of complexity in cases has been the norm, demanding that integrated intelligence and information, from a range of sources, is gathered and analysed, requiring considerable time and resources. Technical capacity and capability can be an issue, and the integrity of data is reliant on the integrity of the source and reliable inputting of data to systems. The illegal operators have grown wise to e.g. the use of AIS (automatic information system) data and so now turn off their AIS transponders.

Implementation

Monitoring

Multi-national

Information sharing and regional cooperation

The FISH-i Africa Task Force has routine mechanisms to share information on their flagged and licensed fishing vessels and those active in their fishing zones and ports. They cooperate towards shared objectives, which are to take action against those identified as illegal fishing operators. FISH-i Africa uses an easy-to-use and secured web-based interactive communication platform through which relevant information can be shared in near real-time. This information includes satellite tracking data, vessel information on identity, flags, ownership, fishing activities, networks and trade routes, as well as systematic research on illegal fishing activities. Members can post requests and discuss operational, legal or strategic questions. Dedicated face-to-face meetings at least twice a year enable further discussions, analysis, strategy building and planning, whilst building relationships and trust. At country level further information-sharing and cooperation is needed to turn information and evidence into action. FISH-i Africa supports interagency cooperation between fisheries, port, customs, transport, police, health and other authorities to take effective enforcement action.

Political support from regional champions helped to successfully launch the initiative, maintaining momentum and demonstrating a strong will to bring illegal operators to justice.

Cooperation and active participation by all member countries that is based on trust developed over years in the Stop Illegal Fishing working group. An established technical solution for the information sharing platform/mechanism that is populated with information regularly.

Regular communication through the online FISH-i Africa communications platform facilitates rapid information sharing and transparency between Task Force members and regional partners. It also encourages more reticent members to ‘do the right thing’ or to ‘respond’. Most valuable features of FISH-i Africa were the provision of access to information about fishing vessels and licenses from other FISH-i countries; regional cooperation resulting in timely communications; advice provided to support decision making in respect to potential or realised cases and increased awareness about illegal fishing.

Lack of action within the Task Force: at times Task Force members were slow to engage or respond to queries from other Task Force members, due to lack of capacity or specific national concerns, at times slowing down overall progress on potential cases. Conflicts between countries emerged if vessels flagged to FISH-i Africa member countries were involved.

Implementation

Multi-national

Facilitation of alternative livelihoods

Marine turtle hatcheries managed by local stakeholders

José Gómez Peñate

Local tagging a turtle on a Kablaké beach

José Gómez Peñate

Local taking measurements on the beach

José Gómez Peñate

Donation of a crusher to the women of Dawa

José Gómez Peñate

Donation of a crusher to the women of Dawa

José Gómez Peñate

Ecotourism

José Gómez Peñate

Ecotourism

José Gómez Peñate

Ecotourism

José Gómez Peñate

Development of partnerships with local hotels to encourage them to allocate funding to the project.

Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: 'Conservation des tortues marines de Côte d’Ivoire'" from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.

Implementation

Local

Blue Solution Template in French: "Conservation des tortues marines de Côte d’Ivoire"