Inception phase | PANORAMA

Successful trust fund operationalization

Skilled personnel, effective governance and functioning technical systems are essential for successful operation. Key elements to support this include training for National Conservation Trust Funds, staff and board members, establishment of clear accounting systems, operations manuals, learning from best practices, mentoring, and peer exchange.

In this regard, the CBF has established training on its accounting system for its staff. It has also become a member of the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Conservation Trust Funds (RedLAC) to learn from similar institutions.

Staffing: Hiring of a highly capable executive director. Additional support staff may also be needed.
Office: Set up initial logistical office operations.
Board: Establishment and training of the board of directors and executive director.
Committees: Establishment of board sub-committees and other advisory committees.
Development of an operations manual.
Finance and accounting.
Mentoring and overall organizational development.

Developing all necessary systems (accounting, other operations systems) often takes longer than expected. It is important to establish realistic timelines for establishing a CTFs operation. Tasks for the appropriate set-up of operations multiply quickly.
Support from donors and partners; not only in cash, but also in-kind, is key during the initial 1-2 years of operations.
Mistakes along the way will occur and it is important to recognize and address these quickly and continue to move forward.
It is key essential to have formal and informal advisor and other kinds of technical support. Many other CTF are currently under operation and can provide important insights in this process. RedLAC is a key resource for example.

Inception phase

National

Multi-national

Independent National Conservation Trust Funds (NCTFs)

CBF endowment proceeds will be channeled through the NCTFs, which in turn will lead the grant-making process for on the ground and water activities. They are governed by majority non-government member boards reflecting a broad range of sectors and interests, and provide grants to both government and civil society.

Drawing on internationally recognized standards, the characteristics of NCTFs to be supported by the CBF are:

Purpose: Purpose aligned with the purpose of the CBF.
Board composition: Broad composition and representation, with majority civil society board membership and no single majority interest group dominating the board.
Civil society board members: Board members representing civil society not solely selected by the government.
Asset control: Well-designed and independent asset control.
Audit requirements: Well-defined annual external audit requirements.
Grants: Grant making to government and civil society.

Multiple-stakeholder dialogue to guarantee participation of all relevant sectors in governance structures.
Clear legal instruments that reflect independent structures and guarantee the rights and responsibilities of the different stakeholders.

It is challenging to find the right balance between government and civil society representation in governance structures at the national level. Government actors may feel that majority non-governmental governance structure will exclude them from decision making and civil society may feel that majority government boards will result in inefficient institutions controlled by government.
Donors have a strong preference for NCTFs governance that is independent from government control, although government may participate in it.
Finding a balance in NCTFs constitutive instruments and other agreements to different points of views, needs and requirements, and reassure all stakeholders that the governance structure and decision making process will be transparent and inclusive is essential.

Collaborative data and information gathering

Stakeholders gathering information on the use of marine ecosystems

Collaborative data and information gathering was used to: identify and acquire secondary information; document local knowledge of resources and space-use; develop an appropriate habitat classification scheme; conduct marine habitat mapping field surveys; validate information produced; and ascertain the technological capacity and information preferences of stakeholders. Furthermore, participatory research demonstrates the relevance of information provided by stakeholders, strengthens capacity and provides ownership of the information produced.

The preliminary appraisal was essential to understand stakeholders’ capacity for participation and develop appropriate methods.
Periodic validation meetings allowed for the production of accurate information based on local knowledge. This also demonstrated to stakeholders the legitimacy of their knowledge thereby promoting ownership of the information.
Public access to information served to empower stakeholders, build capacity and cultivated a cross-scale alliance.

PGIS resulted in the production of comprehensive and accessible information tailored to the needs of the Grenada Bank stakeholders. Collaborative data and information gathering served to: identify existing information; build stakeholder capacity in the understanding of the marine environment and related human uses; provide credibility to local knowledge; increase confidence and ownership in the information produced; and underscore the role stakeholders can and should play in marine governance. Communication and information exchange are important aspects of this building block and should not be underestimated. Providing access to all data, maps, and information via a public access website supported transparency and inclusiveness and served to strengthen the capacity and ownership of information by stakeholders.

Planning phase

Inception phase

Implementation

Documentation and dissemination of results

Baldwin, K and H.A. Oxenford. 2014. A participatory approach to marine habitat …

Ecotourism marketing

A simple market analysis was conducted in order to define marketing strategies for ecotourism services, together with artisanal fishermen. Partnerships were also established with local tourism agencies and the regional government to promote these services. Flyers were designed and handed out to advertise trips and showcase manta ray conservation. Workshops in local schools and dissemination through local press also promoted manta ray conservation and presented tourism alternatives. In addition, a proposal for national protection of Giant Manta Rays was presented to national authorities, which will contribute to protecting this valuable tourism resource.

The area of influence is close to popular tourism destinations on the north coast of Peru, which welcome both national and international tourists.
Interest from local tourism agencies and the regional government was high, as we introduced an innovative service to the market.
Prior research on Manta Rays provided a good understanding of the challenges faced by this species in the area, and justifies the proposal for protection.

As understanding of main sites for manta ray observation increases, and fishermen consolidate their services over time, the profile of tourists can vary. At an initial stage, promotion is focused on tourists interested in exploratory trips, with the expectation of incorporating additional offerings as the initiative expands.

Snorkel with Mantas brochure

Policy proposal for protection of manta rays

Business development training

Fishermen were invited to monthly workshops focused on building capacity regarding business and tourism management. These included hospitality management, safety, and basic understanding of English. Manta ray conservation status and data collection was also incorporated in these meetings. Local professionals (e.g. Coast Guard, Tourism authorities, etc.) were invited to give presentations, showcasing local knowledge. Meetings also encouraged fishermen to design their own business plans and strategies to implement ecotourism services, and enabled the selection of the most committed fishermen who would receive funding and personalized support.

A group of fishermen interested in participating was identified through project outreach and general introductory workshops.
Local infrastructure (e.g. space for meetings, local field coordinator) was in place for the series of meetings.

Commitment to participate in these meetings was required; therefore, observed participation constituted a ‘self-selecting’ mechanism to identify which fishermen to be support.
As strategies for ecotourism are defined together with fishermen, it is important to consider external factors that could influence the project, e.g. conflict between fishermen’s organizations, etc.
Although in some cases only captains participated in the workshops, it is also important for all crew members to receive training and be aware of the project.

Inception phase

Local

Training Fishermen in Ecotourism and Business

Introductory workshops for artisanal fishermen

Workshops were organized in multiple communities in the region, in order to raise awareness on manta ray conservation status among artisanal fishermen. These general workshops also presented our project, gathered project feedback from artisanal fishermen and allowed introductions to fishermen interested in developing ecotourism. Workshops were promoted through local press, social media and collaboration of fishermen organizations.

Funds to develop workshops and the rest of the project were provided by Project Aware, Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund and the abc* Foundation.
Prior research on Manta Rays provided a good understanding of the challenges faced by this species in the area.

Initially approaching a wide number of beneficiaries is crucial in order to later identify specific environmental leaders.
The message is important. Fishermen were most interested in attending a meeting that will clearly provide socioeconomic benefits (e.g. generating additional income through ecotourism) as opposed to only focusing on species conservation.
Coordination with local fishermen organizations is crucial to make sure fishermen can attend workshops.

Inception phase

Local

First Workshop For Manta Ray Ecotourism with artisanal fishermen

Consultative establishment of protected area sites

Chivoko establish their Locally Managed Marine Area

The community’s request to include a site into the conservation plan is judged by LLCTC’s environment officer based on its conservation value and the community’s level of commitment. Through continuous interactions with the community, the area is explored, and demarcated by GIS references. A committee formed by the community oversees and manages the new protected area. The management plan and map for the new LMMA are created and added to the network master plan.

Financial and advisory support by an NGO (TNC) in setting up the network and in supporting each participating community
A solid partnership between communities and LLCTC
Commitment for financial support by the provincial government

For the success of LMMAs, communities must have the lead from establishment to enforcement. It is therefore important to ensure that all groups in the community have agreed to the site proposed to be included as protected area in the network. There is a need to develop more consistent management plans for each site, particularly in the case of recently established conservation areas. Several community management committees lack skills and thus have problems in starting to draft their management plans and also to oversee the management of their protected area. They need capacity and support from LLCTC. Without consistent management plans for each site, there is no accountable oversight and clear representation of regulations for resources harvested or harvesting protocols. Management plans do not need to be in any specific format, but certain principles need to be defined and agreed upon by the whole community.

Inception phase

Local

Conservation plan built on local and scientific knowledge

Developing the conservation plan with the help of 3D modelling

Participatory 3D mappying

Provides the foundation for the LMMA network and helps communities decide which request to prioritize. In a participatory mapping workshop all relevant community and governmental stakeholders map key features, cultural heritage and ecosystem services. MPA planning software (MARXAN) helps to identify options for the most cost-effective networks of protected areas. 3D models link science and local knowledge so that communities can explore land-use options.

Awareness of local stakeholders and resource owners of the value, and willingness to protect marine resources
Strong customary ownership of land and sea
Technical and financial support from partners, including the provincial government

It is imperative to settle conflicts over land ownership and internal community agreements before beginning the process of LMMA establishment. For the success of LMMAs, communities must have the lead from establishment to enforcement. It is therefore important to ensure that all groups in the community are engaged and agree to engage in the LMMA project.The use of user friendly and easy to operate marine planning software, such as MARXAN is a helpful tool to guide the decision making process. Of course, also other factors must be taken into account.

Inception phase

Local

Modelling the future (video on BoeBoe community using 3D modelling)

Golden, A.S., Naisilsisili, W., Ligairi, I., Drew, J.A. 2014: Combining natural…

Loos, S.: Marxan analyses and prioritization of conservation areas for the Cent…

Coastal scenery value determination

Scenery is a resource that has to be evaluated in an objective and quantitative manner to provide a means of comparison against other resource considerations and environmental impact assessments. Stakeholders survey specific littoral areas to determine the Scenic Evaluation, which indicates the ‘beauty’ of the study area. This is performed by using a coastal scenery survey checklist which itemizes 26 physical and human parameters, as a first step in quantifying scenery values.

Select and georeference the limits of the study area to replicate the survey in the future
Centralize information. There are often many people involved, multiple surveys, and lot of data, but just one previously-designated stakeholder is in charge of the analysis.

Organization - scheduling activities is important.
Data collection can complement a school class about coastal zone-related topics (geomorphology, geology, biology).
Data sources should be in a good balance. Local knowledge and stakeholder consultation are necessary.

Inception phase

Local

Ergin, A., Karaesmen, E., Micallef, A., & Williams, A. T. (2004). A new methodo…

Ergin, A., Williams, A. T., & Micallef, A. (2006). Coastal scenery: appreciatio…

Rangel-Buitrago, N., Contreras-Lopez, M., Martinez, C., Williams A (2018)Can co…

Rangel-Buitrago, N (2019)

Ecosystem services valuation

Priority mangrove ecosystem services, such as fishing, are chosen through a participatory process with local communities

Quantifying the value of ecosystem services provided by mangroves to the local communities is a required component of blue carbon projects. This informs the design of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes. As a full valuation is challenging and costly, priority services are chosen through a participatory consultation process with local communities. Raw data are collected locally and mined through bibliographic searches and interviews. Results emphasize the importance of coastal-marine ecosystems with decision makers, as mangrove losses can be explained as capital losses.

The availability of local and national data is a determining factor for an adequate valuation of ecosystem services. Even when those data are not available relationships with local officials may provide useful expert criteria and inputs. Also, the participation of the communities in the diagnostics to identify and later quantify priority services is important to guarantee their buy-in into the process. A clear understanding of local livelihoods is also necessary.

Local perceptions of what constitutes a “priority” ecosystem service for valuation may differ from that of project developers and researchers. In addition, data constraints may limit the extent of the valuation study. It may thus be necessary to negotiate with locals during the preliminary diagnostics phase what services meet their needs and those of the project, and which can be valued. The wide range of services provided by mangroves and surrounding coastal-marine ecosystems make a full valuation exercise very challenging. Thus, most valuation studies are partial and depend on a set of assumptions and a variety of different methods. Good working relationships with government representatives in charge of data processing and archiving, as well as a solid understanding of the details of the local livelihoods and business models is highly advantageous, which is why a livelihoods study should be conducted in parallel.