To maximize SmartFish’s impact, we drew on empirical research and years of experience to establish fishery selection criteria. Fishery partners must:

           a) Be formally organized, with effective institutional structure (eg a cooperative) that includes mechanisms for decision-making, for enforcing group decisions and a collective understanding of and commitment and adherence to fishery sustainability principles;

           b) Have previously and formally adopted sustainability measures (eg: fishing reserves, daily catch quotas, or size limits);

           c) Target biologically resilient species.

We established an Impact Division within SmartFish to determine the elgigibility of potential fishery partners as well as to track the social, environmental and business performance of partners before, during and after our interventions. Please see Impact Evaluation building block for more information.

In order to ensure that the scenery values of the area are effectively protected, interested community members are trained in monitoring of scenery values using standardized techniques. Selection of trainees and implementation of continuous monitoring are done in coordination with the community.

The coastal scenery classification is used by coastal managers, planners, academics, and governmental agencies, and local coastal zone managers. Evaluation of environmental, physical and usage parameters enables the identification and characterization of variables, which must be managed more effectively in order to promote overall improvements of the scenic value. Most sites have physical parameters for which coastal zone managers can do little or nothing to alleviate scenic impact, so emphasis should be given to assessing ways of improving different human usage parameters (i.e. litter collection campaign, fixing sewage-related problems, noise, access, utilities, etc.). Existing management plans can be revised or developed to consider scenery related issues by updating conservation targets’ statuses, identifying additional conservation targets, reviewing and revising weaknesses, and adjusting strategy and monitoring protocols. Additional scenery evaluations are required in order to evaluate plan effectiveness. The scenery management tool ensures a better littoral zone and long-term goods and services for local communities and tourists. It guides littoral managers to anticipate future impacts from human interventions.

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.

As part of a three-year study, an assessment was made of the main parameters essential for documenting coastal scenery perception. The assessment included a literature search, questionnaires given to coastal users in different parts of the world, and consultation with coastal landscape experts. Landscape values ‘can be assessed and described or illustrated in objective and subjective terms by landscape professionals, consulting with a wide range of interest groups and people and analyzing all relevant information’. Results obtained through this work enabled key elements to be condensed down to 26 ‘coastal scenic assessment parameters’. These parameters are: Cliff Height, Cliff Slope, Cliff Special Features, Beach Type, Beach Width, Beach Colour, Shore Slope, Shore Extend, Shore Roughness, Dunes, Valley, Land Form, Tides, Landscape Features, Vistas, Water Colour, Vegetation Cover, Seaweed, Disturbance Factor, Litter, Sewage, Non-Built Environment, Built Environment, Access Type, Skyline, Utilities.

Bamboo T-fences are used to restore eroded floodplains and the fine sediment balance as a precondition for natural regeneration of mangroves forests – the latter will then form part of an effective area coastal protection strategy. After successful restoration of sites suitable for mangrove growth, natural regeneration of mangroves will occur. It is, however, essential that the mangroves are protected from human impacts, otherwise the cycle of degradation/destruction and expensive restoration will continue uninterrupted (see illustration under "How do the building blocks interact in the solution?"). This can best be achieved by involving local people in effective protection and management of mangroves through co-management. For more information see solution “Co-management (shared governance) of natural resources in the coastal area”. If rates of natural regeneration are insufficient, supplementary planting of mangroves may be necessary. In such cases, appropriate species need to be planted at the right sites at the correct time.

A monitoring system is used to measure sediment accretion, and to monitor the condition of the T-fences. In addition, natural regeneration of mangroves is monitored. During the first year after construction, functionality of the T-fences should be ensured through monthly visual inspections and maintenance where necessary. After one year, visual inspections and maintenance should be carried out at least after the end of every storm season. In addition, seasonal GPS surveys of the shore line at low tide can be used to see whether the T-fences have impacts on the shape of the coastline nearby. The natural regeneration of mangroves is documented by recording species, size and density or through fixed-point photos. The latter can also be used as a simple alternative for GPS shore line surveys.

Physical models determine the optimal design of the actual breakwaters. The strength of the bamboo poles was tested during field testing of the fences. Durability information of bamboo is derived from experiences using bamboo in Thailand. Local people are informed of and engaged in the planned activity. With technical support, local people construct breakwaters, i.e. T-shaped fences from natural materials (bamboo). Permeable T-fences do not inhibit sediment input and create calm water conditions for sediment deposition. The long-shore parts break the waves and the cross-shore elements catch sediments suspended in long-shore currents. The gaps in the long-shore parts improve sediment input into the fields created by the fences during flood tide, while drainage is accelerated through the openings during ebb tide, thereby accelerating the soil consolidation process in the fields.

This tool serves the purpose of understanding and projecting natural forces which are shaping the shoreline in order to plan the optimal placement and design of breakwaters: Use available and field data (for all seasons) on near shore bathymetry (depth profiles), wave height, direction, and period; tidal regime and currents; sediment composition (seabed and suspended), and wind patterns, to calibrate and validate numerical models. Map outputs on wave climate, tidal regime, sediment transport and bathymetry. Use projected hydro- and sediment dynamic conditions to determine feasibility, best design and placement of breakwaters.

A technical team developed the methodology and instruments to collect, organize and asses the information. It included guidance for data collectors, a format to download the information, forms to obtain authorization to publish the answers and pictures of the best practices. Technical institute students were trained in using and testing the data collection instruments. A local environmental NGO focused on the northern section of the State, where they interviewed managers of large tourism corporations and developments, based upon the NGO’s long-term relationship with the tourism industry. The technical institute focused on the southern section of the state and interviewed small-scale hotels and houses owners in coastal communities. The technical institute built a database with the information from both areas. The database was thoroughly revised by the technical team and then revised by local experts (architects, engineers, biologists, oceanographers) in workshops, via email and personal interviews organized by the three organizations.