Establishment of community level GBV Response Mechanism

The GBV Response mechanism at community level was establish to prevent and respond to the GBV cases and fishing illegalities which occours in the fisheries sector due to the lack of reporting structures and long distances from the fishing communities to the formal GBV response structures through the establishment of GBV Watch Committees. The GBV Watch Commitees provide awareness in the fishing camp and fishing communities about the exploitative sex for fish practices. They also respond to GBV disclosures at community level, the committees also link survivors to proffessional services and operate as safe space in the community among other functions. 

  1. Engaging communities in establishing and managing GBV Watch Committees ensures community ownership and fosters trust, and sustainability.
  2. Capacity building and training of the committees and raising community awareness strengthen GBV prevention and response in the fisheries sector.
  3. Connecting committees with formal services ensures survivors receive holistic support.
  4. Integrating GBV committees into policies for further institutional support enhances their effectiveness and legitimacy.
  1. Local mechanisms to bridge structural gaps are essential where formal GBV structures are lacking.
  2. Leveraging local and traditional knowledge and adapting to their ways ensures community resilience and sustainable outcomes.
  3. Addressing cross-sectoral approaches such as GBV and environmental/climate issues together achieves a broader impact.
  4. Collaboration matters when resource-owning communities and partners work together and the results delivered are more impactful.
  5. Financing partners do not need to impose what they wish from the resource-owning communities, results may only last as much as the intervention lasts.
Delopment of the SIREN App

This building block is to explain how I developped an App that allow fishers to contribute to marine science knowledge in Africa. 

Initially we gave fishers a pre-printed form to report opportunistic sightings they encountered. However, the form was getting lost most of the time. 

We decided to move to a digital solution. The existing App by then required internet to work and was just too complicated for fishers. So we thought we shoud develop an App that will be more userfriendly for fishers. 

We wrote the  algorithm (workflow) of the App and then contracted an Indian development company to write the code. 

Later we had to bring the development of SIREN back to Cameroon to reduce the cost of developement. 

We work with volunteer around the world that will continuously support with the development of the SIREN

  • passion and determination
  • availability of seed fund to develop an initial version of the SIREN App
  • Collaboration with local App developpers
  • Extending the collaboration to international volunteers 
  • understand
  • The first developper company I contracted for the development of SIREN was a foreign company based in India. The cost of develpment was very high and there was a lot of miscomunication due to language barriers. When we started working with local developpers, the cost of development decreased importantly and it was easier to communicate.
  • Before giving a smarphone to fisher for data collection you must develop a trust relationship with him before otherwise the phone will never be used by the fisher to report sightings.
Establishing a satellite-based IoT communication system

Relevant ecological processes and incidents that are of interest in environmental change research typically occur in remote areas beyond the reach of terrestrial communication infrastructures. Data generated in the field using animal tags in these regions can often only be transmitted with a delay of days or even weeks. To overcome this delay and ensure no delay in the early-warning system, GAIA develops a satellite communication module for the tags as well as a nanosatellite operating in low earth orbit (LEO): In order to be able to transmit collected data and information directly from the transmitting node to the LEO satellite (Low Earth Orbit), a high-performance satellite IoT radio module will be integrated into the new tags. This guarantees immediate, secure and energy-efficient transmission of the extracted data. The communication system is based on the terrestrial mioty® technology and will be adapted to satellite-typical frequency bands such as L- and S-band for the project. Typical communication protocols, which are sometimes used in the IoT sector, are usually designed for small packet sizes. Further development of the mioty® system will therefore also aim to increase the data rate and message size to enable application scenarios such as image transmissions.

The satellite IoT system will be key for a no-delay communication and thus for an early-warning system. It greatly contributes to the GAIA system in achieving GBF target 4 "Halt Extinction, Protect Genetic Diversity and Manage Human-Wildlife Conflicts". 

A significant share of the GAIA research and development was funded by the German Space Agency (DLR). This provided not only budgets for the development of the mioty® communication modules in the tags and first modules and concepts of the nanosatellites, but also access to an ecosystem of space-tech stakeholders. The start-up Rapidcubes became a key partner in the Initiative for the satellite development and plans for subsequent project phases include collaboration with existing DLR infrastructure such as the Heinrich Hertz satellite. 

The adaptation of the terrestrial mioty® protocols for satellite communication were successful. With the Ariane 6, an experimental nanosatellite was launched into a low earth orbit in July 2024. Since then, communication protocols are tested and refined for future application for the GAIA early-warning system.

Educational Initiatives

Programs like eco-classrooms, guided tours, and school collaborations raised awareness, while immersive experiences, such as observing salmon in their natural habitats, fostered public engagement.

  • The Formosan landlocked salmon serves as a vital environmental indicator; protecting this species contributes to overall environmental improvement.
  • Environmental education initiatives include interpretive services and guided tours along Qijiawan River, collaborative community and tribal education efforts, conservation-focused courses and ecological camps designed with schools, and volunteer recruitment for hands-on conservation work.
  • Plans are underway to introduce immersive experience classrooms, where participants can wear wetsuits and enter the stream to observe the Formosan landlocked salmon in its natural habitat. These experiences aim to deepen public understanding, foster care, and inspire action to protect stream ecosystems and water resources.
  • The general public lacks sufficient awareness of the Formosan landlocked salmon. Environmental education through diverse channels is essential to garner greater support for conservation efforts.
Reintroducing the Salmon to Its Historical Habitats (Ex-Situ Conservation)

Following habitat restoration efforts, including the removal of silt traps and reforestation along riverbanks, the salmon were reintroduced to five historical streams. Technologies, such as mini radio transmitters, were used to track the salmon’s behavior and assess the suitability of their restored habitats.

  • The Formosan landlocked salmon is a keystone species in stream ecosystems, with its presence helps maintain ecological balance. Restoring populations in historically distributed areas promotes the integrity and stability of local ecosystems.
  • The three-phase goal set at the 2000 Formosan Landlocked Salmon Conservation Research Symposium aims to restore its natural habitats, expand the species' natural distribution range, and reduce survival risks posed by issues like climate change.
  • The 2005 Wuling Stream Long-Term Monitoring Integrated Plan (2005-2013) involved monitoring habitats and species prior to the silt trap improvement plan, laying the groundwork for the restoration of ecosystem balance.
  • In 2017, a cross-regional collaboration with Taroko National Park enabled the release of Formosan landlocked salmon into Hehuan and Nanhu rivers, which are at higher elevations than the Qijiawan River.
  • Releasing salmon into different streams and different sections of the same stream fosters evolutionary diversity, contributing to the genetic diversity of the Formosan landlocked salmon.
  • In October 2023, a breakthrough in reintroduction techniques overcame the challenge of transporting fish over long distances. Through waterless transport, the eggs were transported and reintroduced into the upper reaches of Nanhu River, at an altitude of 2,200 meters in Zhongyangjian River.
  • In 2004, Typhoon Aere brought heavy rains and landslides that destroyed the hatchery along the Qijiawan River. The previous efforts were washed away, causing a 2–3-year disruption in the off-site conservation work. However, researchers and conservationists, equipped with prior experience, remained determined to persist in their efforts. To mitigate the impact of future extreme weather events, they also began releasing salmon into multiple streams, dispersing the risks associated with such climatic challenges.
Comprehensive life-cycle breeding program (Ex-Situ Conservation)

A comprehensive artificial breeding program was established over four years, producing 10,000 fish annually for conservation and reintroduction. Challenges included low genetic diversity and habitat-specific requirements.

  • A gene bank was established based on the concept of Noah’s Ark, aimed at increasing the population of the Formosan landlocked salmon through artificial breeding.
  • In 2000, the Formosan Landlocked Salmon Conservation Symposium was held, where a comprehensive conservation framework was developed. The goal was to gradually restore the five historical streams in the upper Dajia River, where the salmon originally thrived, within 30 years. A dual strategy of in-situ (on-site) and ex-situ (off-site) conservation was adopted.
  • Purely artificial breeding methods can reduce genetic diversity, so it is essential to establish a complete and sustainable breeding program.
  • There is limited experience in reintroducing endangered species, making it crucial to understand the life history and habitat requirements of the Formosan landlocked salmon. 
The Establishment of Shei-Pa National Park in 1992

Shei-Pa National Park has included the Qijiawan River catchment in its protected area, with conservation plans focusing on habitat preservation and breeding programs.

  • The Formosan landlocked salmon, discovered in 1917, is a unique species that is considered a "glacial relict." It is found exclusively in the high-altitude streams of central Taiwan, marking the southernmost and highest-altitude wild distribution of any salmon species in the world. This species is regarded as a natural monument and an iconic national treasure.
  • By 1984, the Formosan landlocked salmon was nearly extinct, with 90% of its historic range across five streams reduced, leaving only about 200 individuals.
  • In 1989, the Wildlife Conservation Act was enacted, listing the Formosan landlocked salmon as an endangered species (EN), signaling the urgent need for conservation.
  • During Taiwan's economic miracle in the 1960s to 1980s, human development spread to the mountains, leading to overfishing, water pollution, and habitat destruction. To conserve the Formosan landlocked salmon, the Wildlife Conservation Act was enacted, and Shei-Pa National Park was established to strengthen protection efforts.
Committee establishment, formalization and operationalization

Inclusive and participatory mapping of all stakeholders in the mangrove space in the five counties of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu. A series of meetings for sensitization on the National Mangrove Management Plan, and later facilitated formation of the national and five county committees. The committees were then facilitated in developing their workplans and executing some of the activities. This has since been picked up. 

Partnership and collaboration.

Inclusive processes

Willingness and trust amongst partners 

Good Governance

Good governance is essential for the sustainable growth of Randilen Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Effective leadership, transparency, and accountability ensure that tourism revenues are managed efficiently, benefiting both conservation efforts and local communities. Strong governance structures help in decision-making, equitable distribution of resources, and the enforcement of policies that protect wildlife and natural habitats. By fostering community participation and fair representation, Randilen WMA can enhance trust among stakeholders, attract more investment, and promote long-term sustainability. Ultimately, good governance ensures that conservation and development go hand in hand, securing a prosperous future for both people and nature.

 

 

 

 

Clear communication channels among stakeholders.

Stakeholder commitment to transparency and accountability.

  • Developement suppose to reach the community and it is only possible with good governce in place 

     

use AI

To preserve natural resources, artificial intelligence must be introduced to preserve them, and automation must be used to preserve environmental diversity by linking to the use of the Internet today, which is everywhere, controlling it, and following up. It was made into a real reserve and controlled using connected surveillance cameras. Transporting animals to a safe environment protected by surveillance cameras to reduce poaching.