Multi-Stakeholder Partnership for eco-friendly Diving
Build public and private partnerships and capacity of resource managers using a multi-disciplinary approach; e.g. training workshops, multi-stakeholder dialogue, in-country volunteers to support the national project team, underwater and beach clean-up events. Institutionalisation of the Green Fins approach within national regulatory frameworks and processes governing tourism industries ensures long-term commitment and sustainability.
• Political will and commitment in each country is a necessary prerequisite to ensure sustainability.
• Financial and professional support to start and maintain the multi-stakeholder process and capacity building activities.
The transparent, neutral and open approach has proven successful to improve or build relationships between public and private partners. Education and awareness of relevant stakeholders and communities are valuable resources to this process.
To render capacity building effective for project implementation on both national and local levels, a clear focus of local and national management teams is paramount. While local management teams should focus on grassroots execution, national management teams should focus on leveraging national support and legal frameworks to support long term implementation.
The cooperation between Reef-World and UNEP supported the promotion and replication of Green Fins successes within the international conservation sector. Reef-World have supported the inception, implementation and expansion of Green Fins in all of the 6 currently active countries and so enabling effective communication of lessons learned and best practice.
The national incentive system for FARMC, a regular programme in BFAR, serves to recognize outstanding FARMCs and FARMC coordinators that may act as role models. It includes cash prizes, trophies and appreciation by the President of the Philippines that are regularly awarded in accordance to a nationwide evaluation process.
Conditions for adoption elsewhere:
• Governmental recognition of the importance of fisheries and aquaculture
• Governmental acknowledgement of efforts and achievements due to cooperation amongst stakeholders, particularly the contributions by local fisherfolk.
The recognition of good work and leadership is appreciated and helps to sustain if not boosting participation, commitment and engagement of FARMC stakeholders and coordinators. It enhances partnership and cooperation amongst group members and creates healthy competition amongst FARMCs. Champions act as models for emulation and inspiration of other and new FARMCs.
It is, however, important to establish a transparent and equitable evaluation and awarding process.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) established this national centre that implements and coordinates the national Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (FARMC) program of the Philippine government. It is charged with the facilitation, coordination and spearheading program implementation nationwide. Strategies and policies to enhance program execution are formulated and based on regular program evaluation.
Conditions for adoption elsewhere:
• Legal framework (the 1998 Philippine Fisheries Code, Republic Act No. 8550 mandates the creation of FARMCs, defines responsibilities and authority of stakeholders and decisive engagement of fisherfolk in coastal resources and fisheries management. The Fisheries Administrative Order No. 196 defined FARMC implementation process).
• Will and commitment of government and community leaders;
• Funding and human resources.
The support provided by governmental agencies and fisherfolk from local communities, including their leaders is a paramount factor of successfully establishing the FARMC and implementation of the programme.
Due to the legal framework and the strong cooperation and participation of all stakeholders concerned, government agencies and entities that were first unwilling to share power could be convinced to cooperate. However, this is a challenging process.
Solutions for inadequate financial and logistical support due to the lack of programme funding, and lack of technical personnel to provide assistance are common problems that need to be taken into account during the planning, inception and implementation phases. National and international partner organisations may be alternative options to be assessed.
