National | PANORAMA

Establish value of the dolphins to New Zealanders

Cover of New Zealand Report

We financed a country wide survey and co-authored an economic report based on the survey with Economists At Large, Melbourne, Australia. The survey assessed "willingness to pay" for conservation of the dolphins which indicated that New Zealanders were willing to pay higher prices for their fish to ensure that the Dolphins weren't subject to bycatch. We presented this work in a report which went to New Zealand politicians and we also prepared a poster which was presented at the Biennial Marine Mammal Conference in Dunedin, New Zealand in Dec. 2013.

Key supporting facts that made the survey and report possible include cooperation of New Zealand scientists to refine the survey, an outside economist group separate from ourselves to ensure impartiality and to evaluate where we stood. All of this was essential to directing our future efforts and to know where and how we might be effective.

Although the survey and economic report supported conservation and were reported favourably in the media, we realized that it would take more direct action and involvement by New Zealanders in their communities to execute change in terms of gaining more protection and removing the nets.

Planning phase

Hoyt, E., McGrath, G., Bossley, M., Knowles, T. 2014. Assessing New Zealanders’ Willingness-to-pay to Protect the Endangered New Zealand Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori): A benefit-cost analysis comparing three scenarios. Economists at Large, Melbourne, Australia and Critical Habitat Marine Protected Areas Programme, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Chippenham, UK, 20pp

Setting up a long-term research project

This collaboration between the Far East Russia Orca Project (FEROP) of Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), the Russian Academy of Science and researchers from Moscow State and St. Petersburg State universities has focussed on the following research areas: Abundance and distribution, behavioural ecology of whales, dolphins and porpoises in Russian Far East waters, and how they inform conservation of these species.The funding for a multi-year study was obtained to train and enlist young Russian researchers in the study and conservation of these species.

The work in the various research areas has been presented in papers and popular articles, and other media. Building links with various local and national institutions in Russia through key researchers has been vital to our success.

It takes more years than originally envisioned to do the baseline studies and to get the quantity of data needed to progress to thinking about protection. Part of this is due to the logistics of working in the unpredictable conditions of the Russian Far East, but it's also because results from photo-ID and acoustic research techniques to indicate habitat require multiple years.

Inception phase

Planning phase

Sustainable agriculture in watersheds and vulnerable coasts

- Institutional support to producers in organizing themselves, to better engage with the local and regional markets and implement a more uniform plan and approach; reduce market competition and provide more inclusive access to production activities. - Promotion of more sustainable agricultural potential products, such as Ylang-Ylang used for perfume production, using more efficient, sustainable and resource-efficient technologies. For example, using copper stills and providing better distillation techniques that allow growers to also enter the production chain and command a better price for a better quality product. Agro-forestry techniques reduce the amount of primary fuelwood needed for the stills, and reduce impacts on the watersheds for the island. - Developing market-gardens and vegetable production to supply tourist facilities, such as hotels, restaurants, yachts within Comoros.

As above, the revitalization of collaborative planning and action, shared governance and better trust between actors is an essential step.The Comoros supplies 80% of the world’s ylang-ylang, so an existing market and practice is in place, but such a global market is fragile. Engaging the interest of leading sourcers of ylang-ylang, and convincing them to support sustainability in their sourcing is an important factor that enables more environmentally and socially responsible production. Proven transferable techniques and methods are available for ylang-ylang

The key lesson is that existing markets and resource opportunities should be the first to be developed, adapted and made more sustainable than looking at the very high transaction costs of introducing new alternatives. The link to sustainable production in watersheds and the quality of water, and reduced impact on coral reefs is not an obvious one, and can be forgotten once programmes are up and running. Maintaining a connection through awareness-raising, collaboration between sectors, and regular engagement is essential for long periods of time. An initial campaign may start the right track, but messages may soon be relegated if they are not maintained. Products such as ylang-ylang are part of a global market. As such, the commitment from sources and buyers, along the chain of production, is essential to avoid catastrophic market failures in the future. Using consumer groups and networks to encourage company buy-in to sustainability at source is an important contributing factor.

Engaging citizens to control the spread of invasive species

Invasive species in Amboseli, Tsavo and Nakuru NPs had covered large areas of wildlife habitat, displaced native biodiversity, reduced favorable forage, affected wildlife distribution and lessened visitor enjoyment. In each park, KWS staff worked with local people and other scientists to identify invasive species, their impact on wildlife, strategies for early detection, and mechanisms for control and eradication. Special focus was given to species that were growing fast, breeding profusely, dispersing widely and outgrowing native species. Areas of heavy infestation were mapped and divided into blocks to enable systematic control. Mechanical removal was preferred over chemical-based eradication to minimize risks to non-target species. KWS organized volunteer groups from local institutions and communities to mechanically uproot invasive plants from designated areas. In some cases local people were hired to work in difficult areas. The uprooted trash was either burnt in abandoned quarries or buried to prevent re-invasion. Plots were revisited for three growing seasons and regrowth removed.

• Many citizen groups showed willingness to participate in the eradication of invasive species • There was plenty of local labor for mechanical control, a labor intensive method. • A good understanding of the impact of invasive species existed at individual and community levels • Traditional and expert knowledge was available for identifying invasive species and their impacts • Sufficient funding was available to purchase the required implements, pay casual workers when necessary and to support logistics

• Re-invasion was observed and complete eradication was only possible after three consecutive mechanical removal sessions spanning several growing seasons. • Herbivores were immediately able to utilize cleared areas, but large predators were disadvantaged as stalking prey was more difficult in more open areas. • Disposal of uprooted biomass can pose a significant challenge and should be planned for in advance • Understanding the cause and mechanism of invasion can help in the eradication or containment of invasive species • Providing free park entry to volunteers can be an initial incentive for volunteers to participate in invasive species control • Communicating the success and challenges of invasive species control can attract additional support from stakeholders and donors.

Invasive alien species affecting Kenya's wildlife areas

Formal and informal training for adaptation

Scientists monitoring plant regeneration in one of the exclosures in Ambesil NP

As people cannot adapt to climate change without first having the capacity to do so, the project aimed at equipping a broad range of partners with knowledge and skills necessary for effective implementation of adaptation actions. The main target groups comprised KWS staff and local communities. Specific areas of training included methods and techniques of ecological restoration, management of modern tree nurseries, including seedling production and propagation. Others were reforestation techniques, invasive species identification, control and management, water quality and quantity monitoring, and fence maintenance. Training was provided at individual, institutional and community levels and was done either through formal institutions or on-the-job training. The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) provided specialized training to KWS and community groups in establishment and management of tree nurseries, reforestation, and invasive species management. Most volunteer groups received on-the-ground training from KWS staff and other relevant professionals and technicians

• Funding availability • Professional expertise in different areas available • Support from organized community groups such as community forest associations, tour groups and learning institutions.

• Capacity needs (in terms of skills) may vary between locations due to the differences in climate change impacts and differences in site-specific interventions • Responding to climate change impacts require a great diversity of skills and resources which reside outside conservation agencies and can be tapped through collaborations and partnerships. • Skills obtained through training were transferable to areas of human pursuit

Biodiversity stewardship contracts with private land-owners

Biodiversity Stewardship is the practice of safeguarding biodiversity outside of the existing state-owned PA network. It places the responsibility to conserve into the hands of private landowners through a variety of contractual agreements. CapeNature adopted Biodiversity Stewardship in 2003 as a core strategy as most of conservation-worthy biodiversity is located on private land. Stewardship is also widely regarded as one of the most cost-effective mechanisms for protecting biodiversity. The programme has resulted in the signing of over 90 contracts between private land owners or communities and CapeNature. 43 of these (amounting to 49 000 ha) have led to formal protection while the remainder represent less formal conservation agreements which nonetheless result in improved ecological management. The major limitation of the programme is that of capacity within CapeNature. Signing new contracts and servicing existing sites require human and financial resources. For this reason, only top priority sites can join the programme. This is an unfortunate situation as demand from land owners to protect is exceeding the capacity of CapeNature to assist.

• A culture of respect for the natural environment which has resulted in a high demand from private land owners for conserving land. • An organisation which is skilled in negotiating and facilitating the formal declaration of private land as Protected Areas as well as a well-experienced and dedicated programme manager. • A provincial-wide review committee comprised of all key partners involved in stewardship within the province to objectively review all new applications.

• The demand for Biodiversity Stewardship (i.e. land owners wanting to protect their land) can be higher than the capacity of the conservation agency to deliver. Be careful not to over-sell the programme unless there are resources available within the agency to supply to all. • Set up a rigorous review process whereby only land of real biodiversity value should be formally protected. Less important land should be freed up for sustainable development. • Unblock potential of land use decisions to contribute towards PA expansion – i.e. biodiversity offsets. • Caution not to over commit yourself as the agreements are mostly in perpetuity or else very long term. The same staff who are responsible for signing up in the first few years will need to pick up on auditing and servicing at a later stage. If we cannot deliver on our promises, the programme’s reputation is at stake.

Protected areas as tools for disaster risk reduction

Creation of awareness raising and policy influencing tools

Multi-stakeholder Dialogue (MSD) platforms are created, comprised of government representatives, NGOs, civil society involved in the project. The platforms consist of management committees set up in each village and at provincial level, to monitor the project’s activities and inform its management. The committees provide support for the daily implementation of the activities as well as for strategic engagement with other institutions. Advocacy material for policy makers is also produced. The engagement at national, regional and global levels is crucial, to ensure that knowledge is transferred, and that policy makers become advocates/implementers of the key lessons learned from the project. Strategic engagements at national, regional and global levels included so far: - A national inception workshop of the project - A national forum with the Directorate of Civil protection on ecosystems-based risk management - Presentation of the project at regional forums and meetings (regional conservation forum, regional consultations for the WCDRR) - Showcasing the project in publications or case studies for global events (UNFCCC COP 21)

-Early involvement and awareness of governments: local governments should take part in the project from its start, and national government representatives should been invited to its inception workshop. - Establishment of MSD platforms at multiple levels of implementation allows monitoring of activities and provides guidance for strategic policy outreach - The international role and presence of an organization like IUCN, allows for opportunities to showcase activities and advocate for nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation at various levels.

- The creation of multi-stakeholders committees, in charge of monitoring and informing field activities, is key for actively involving partners and local governments in the implementation of the project. Their active engagement at every step of the project gives them ownership and encourages interactions between different sectors (research, civil society, environmental organizations, etc.) that usually don’t work together. - Working on policy influence at all levels (local to global) allows to effectively make the case for ecosystem-based solutions for climate change. -Showcasing local traditional knowledge for adaptation encourages government to implement similar actions at broader scales.

Ecosystem Protecting Infrastructure and Communities EPIC

Developing and promoting the tourism product

This building block involves everything related to producing your tourism product. It is recommended that a private sector partner possessing the appropriate market focus and experience in ecotourism be selected before embarking on tourism development in order to ensure long-term sustainability. Our model suffered as a result of not having a partner from the start, putting all responsibility for marketing and tour operation on the project. Selecting and training village tourism service group members is the next important step, and should be done with involvement of community leaders, the local government tourism agency and the private sector partner. Contracts with service group members can be used to create incentives for good service and protection of wildlife. Infrastructure should be built as a community project to instill maximum ownership. A cost effective, high impact marketing tool is a ‘familiarization trip(s)’ for tour companies and journalists, in contrast to printing brochures. Word of mouth is the most important factor and is ultimately determined by a unique and well thought out product.

It’s important for stakeholders to understand the importance to partner with the private sector. It is equally important that the private sector understand the product and the goals of the project. If these conditions are not met, an appropriate partnership may not be created, handicapping the project’s ability to create a sound business model. If a partnership cannot be created from the start, it is important to have the financial resources to incubate the product until the conditions are better for forming a partnership.

Private sector partnership is key to developing a sustainable business model, especially in remote areas that require heavy marketing to attract visitors. In the absence of a clear partnership, the project must be ready to operate the tour, possibly with subsidies from donor funds if tour numbers are low in the beginning. This is not recommended, as it takes resources from other project components and risks failure. Infrastructure built and maintained by the community should be designed in the sturdiest fashion to reduce maintenance costs. In selecting and training village tourism service group members, effort should be made to find responsibilities that allow for gender balance

Selection of relevant MEAs and (sub-)national legislation

The first five steps of the ten step process are classified as preparatory. They provide a conclusive body of research in order to facilitate analysis of the impact of large-scale protected areas on the implementation of MEAs. Steps here include the selection of the relevant international and regional MEAs and the identification of the relevant national legal institutions, including administrative regulations at lower geographic levels. Strict criteria are applied to the selection process such as validity and regional coverage of the respective convention, and in the case of the Thaya Valley National Park certain conventions such as the Alpine Convention and the Ramsar Convention were not included due to the criteria and geographic location of the national park.

• Careful consideration of the protected area’s criteria must be adhered to, to ensure that the most applicable conventions are chosen. • In the case of the Thaya Valley National Park, certain legislation and administrative regulations were included to provide the legal framework for the national park, while others which were not as relevant were excluded. • Workshops with in-depth interviews of park employees facilitated the drafting of Tables of Concordance (ToCs)

• Selection of right conventions is crucial for the subsequent steps. • Preparation of tables of concordance should not exclude any norm that could be addressed by the PA (these tables contain the relevant MEA-norms which are assessed upon their extent of national implementation).