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.)

From 1991-1994 Chumbe Island Coral Park Limited (CHICOP) successfully negotiated with the semi-autonomous government of Zanzibar, Tanzania for the western coral reef and forest of Chumbe Island to be gazetted as an MPA, with management of the MPA entrusted to CHICOP. The company was specifically established for the purpose of developing and managing the MPA financially self-sustainably, utilizing ecotourism to generate revenue for all MPA operational costs and associated conservation, research and education activities. Through this Chumbe became the first managed marine park in Tanzania, the first privately managed MPA in the world, and to date is one of the only financially self-sustainable MPAs globally. The company objectives are not-for-profit, implementing conservation and education initiatives over more than 20 years under the framework of two management plan iterations that were developed with wide stakeholder participation (1995-2005 and 2006-2016). Ecotourism business operations follow commercial principles for maximizing revenue and promoting cost-effectiveness to ensure a sustainable revenue stream for MPA activities, exemplifying a successful business-oriented approach to sustainable and effective MPA management.

The conservation and management programme formalizes jointly agreed regulations. It contains various sub-programmes with defined objectives, actions and guidelines to improve the state of conservation and management.

To receive federal government funding from the National Commission on Protected Areas and other supporters, the enterprise must demonstrate its environmental and social benefits (as detailed in the business plan) alongside the ability to be self-sustaining within a given period of time. The grant is used to purchase necessary equipment and train staff.

By interviewing stakeholders who are depending on the ecosystem in question for their income (e.g. dive shop owners, fishers, tourists and other tourism industry) and the use of complementary data, a compelling picture of the importance of healthy marine ecosystems for the economy can be painted, e.g. through displaying the expected annual revenues in the different commercial sectors related to the coral reef. This valuation method is based on an approach developed by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the World Resource Institute’s (WRI) Coastal Capital Project. Moreover, the use of questionnaires supports awareness building among the various stakeholders being interviewed and initiates a dialogue about the importance of conservation and sustainable management.

The results of our demonstrative models provide us with recommendations to improve national public policy and strengthen public agencies. The components of this program are:

1. Identification of problems and potential solutions. We conduct participatory research that engages both experts and local knowledge.

2. Evaluation of working arena. We develop a stakeholder map and an assessment to have the political context and identify key allies, including our community partners.

3. Work plan design. We design a plan (strategies and actions) aligned with national goals and international agreements, using the most best information available.

4. Work plan implementation. We implement and evaluate our activities and strategies to ensure our impact is strengthening public policy and agencies.

Currently, we have five strategies: capacity building for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture; the creation of the National Prize for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture; the strengthening public participation in fisheries management and research; and the alignment of local actions to international agreements and instruments (Aichi Goals, SDG14, and FAO SSF Guidelines).

Through a workshop stakeholders start to understand how powerful valuing ecosystem services can be as a tool to address relevant policy decisions. Exercises during the workshop based on local cases generate information about local ecosystems, ecosystem services, beneficiaries, stakeholders and issues. Participants start to understand how they can use this tool to create important insights for all-inclusive decision-making. Moreover, during the research, continue to communicate with all stakeholders through newspapers and radio.

Research into the effectiveness of restoration methods has proven invaluable for addressing the problem of dune degradation in New Zealand. This information has assisted community-led projects in both the design and implementation of initiatives. Working off a sound knowledge base is important for all restoration projects but especially critical for community-based projects where voluntary inputs are high. This knowledge not only improves the likelihood of success from a restoration ecology stand-point but also improves the degree of confidence among participants in what they are trying to do. Implementation of this building block relies largely on professional input into the problems being addressed. In New Zealand there has been considerable research into the success of methods for the restoration of dune ecosystems using indigenous species. This includes aspects such as methods for seed collection, propagation and re-establishment of dune plant species at various sites, and for effective management of restoration sites with regard to threats such as weeds and physical disturbance. Importantly, these studies have identified techniques that are practical and effective for achieving biodiversity goals .