Designation of Astola Island, Pakistan’s first Marine Protected Area
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The rugged coastline and pristine waters of Astola Island.
MFF Pakistan
Located approximately 25 km off the coast of Balochistan province, Astola is Pakistan’s largest offshore island. Also known as “Jezira Haft Talar” (Island of the Seven Hills) due to the small, rocky mountains that span the 6.7 km2 island. This pristine island with sandy beaches, crystal waters, and a remarkable biodiversity has all the traits of a tourist destination. The Astola saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus astolae) is endemic to this island and its beaches are a nesting ground for the endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbracata). A variety of coral species are found in the surrounding waters along with the Arabian Sea Humpback Whale and dolphins. In order to relieve pressure put on the island’s natural resources in recent years by human activities MFF Pakistan worked with its National Coordinating Body to have Astola declared Pakistan’s first Marine Protected Area in 2017.
Last update: 28 Mar 2019
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Context
Challenges addressed
- Unsustainable fishing and illegal extraction of corals
- Pollution, including discarded fishing nets and plastic waste from fisheries activities
- Introduced pest species, e.g. feral cats
- Preserving the island’s natural heritage and resources for current and future generations
Location
Pasni, Balochistan, Pakistan
South Asia
Process
Summary of the process
Using the unique convening power of the MFF NCB, and its multi-stakeholder membership, provided a cross sectoral platform to undertake the necessary processes to establish the MPA. Baseline surveys provided decision makers with the information they needed to consider the importance of the area. Continued advocacy and the development of awareness raising materials helped to raise the profile of Astola Island. These factors combined ultimately led to the successful designation of the Astola MPA. The next step is to build on the lessons learned throughout the process in order to develop a comprehensive management plan for the area, and continue to seek the establishment of other MPAs to protect and conserve Pakistan’s diverse and rich coastal and marine natural heritage.
Building Blocks
Mulit stakeholder process
To support the process of to establish Astola Island MPA, MFF Pakistan utilized the membership of its National Coordinating Body to undertake the necessary feasibility assessments, conduct consultations, and raise awareness about the importance of the area. Membership of the NCB includes several government agencies with an interest in marine and coastal resources, the private sector, and civil society organisations. This unique ‘soft governance’ platform facilitated cross sectoral dialogues and advocacy that enabled the declaration of the MPA more quickly than would have otherwise been possible.
Enabling factors
- The MFF National Coordinating Body, a unique multi-stakeholder 'soft governance’ platform, provided opportunities to engage partners from relevant sectors in decision making processes
- Engagement of non-traditional actors such as Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Pakistan Navy (PN) with their active role in influencing coastal policy decisions.
- Face to face advocacy with decision makers, and media engagement
Lesson learned
Several previous attempts to establish MPAs in Pakistan had not succeed due to the lack of a systematic approach and engagement of all relevant stakeholders. In this case the MFF NCB proved to be an invaluable asset, providing an inclusive platform the NCB could engage with all the key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Defense and Navy, to develop wider consensus among all involved for the establishment of MPAs in Pakistan.
Resources
Science informing decision making
As part of the process to establish the MPA, an ecological and resource use baseline of Astola Island was conducted providing first-hand information on the importance and use of biodiversity resources. These surveys engaged several government agencies and academics from research institutions thereby building awareness of the importance of the areas. The synthesis of these surveys filled an important knowledge gap for decision makers and provided further impetus for the MPA declaration. This information will also support informed management planning for the area.
A video documentary showcasing the natural heritage and biodiversity on the island, as we as threats due to increasing human activity, served to support dialogues with decision makers and was a valuable tool in raising awareness.
A workshop on Management Planning of Astola Island MPA organized with technical support from IUCN’s Regional Protected Areas experts and attended by all key stakeholders representing provincial and federal government, research institutions and civil society. The findings of socio-ecological baseline shared in the workshop and the future course of actions for preparation of management plan of Astola Island MPA was formulated.
Enabling factors
Collaboration between both government agencies, non-government organisation and academic institutions provided an appropriate combination of expertise to conduct the surveys and convey the results to decision makers in multiple formats. The MFF NCB also provided a suitable platform with which to convene all parties and disseminate findings across government agencies.
Lesson learned
Although the surveys provided adequate information for the declaration of Astola Island MPA, further studies are needed to inform detailed management planning. In particular, studies are needed to better understand the dynamics of wildlife populations both on the island and in the surrounding waters. Furthermore, comprehensive studies of commercial and small scale fishing practices in the vicinity of the island are needed to better regulate fisheries for sustainability.
Sharing lessons learned for replication
The process of establishing the Pakistan’s first MPA has led to a number of valuable lessons being learned, mainly regarding how stakeholders from various sectors (federal and provincial governments, civil society and academia) can collectively work towards pushing through policies for environmental conservation. Pakistan also has a large coastline, and this process can now be replicated for other sites which are rich in biodiversity. Some other potential MPA sites have already been identified, including Churna Island, Miani Hor, and Gwatar Bay. Through regular meetings of the MFF NCB and other regional gatherings Pakistan continues to share its experience establishing Astola Island MPA and vision to establish additional areas.
Enabling factors
Strong interest from policy-makers, IUCN Members and civil society to replicate the process to establish Astola Island MPA in other coastal areas in Pakistan.
Lesson learned
The MFF NCB is a valuable 'soft governance' platform. Whilst not a formal body, it's unique membership provide a forum for advocay and policy influence with input from a cross section of stakeholders with an interst in coastal resource managment. The continued engagemnt of the NCB will be vital for supporting the development of a management plan for Astola Island and for achieving sustainable coastal resources management in Pakistan.
Impacts
- Species of high conservation importance, and their habitat, will be conserved. This includes the endemic Astola saw-scaled viper, the endangered Green Turtle and Hawksbill Turtle, corals, and numerous fish species.
- The MPA declaration contributes to Pakistan’s efforts to comply with Multilateral Environmental Agreements and treaties to which it is a party. In particular Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 under the Convention on Biological Diversity; Sustainable Development Goal 14 on conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources and the MFF National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
- Improved regulation of fishing within the MPA will have positive impact on fish stocks and species diversity, which subsequently will continue to support community livelihoods.
- The promotion of ecotourism within the MPA will provide sustainable alternative livelihood sources for local communities. This in turn will help raise sense of ownership in the community for the conservation of the natural resources of Astola MPA .
Beneficiaries
- Direct beneficiaries: 20,000 fishing community inhabitants along the Balochistan coast
- Indirect beneficiaries: 50,000 annual tourists (number expected to increase), researchers, and public organizations
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 14 – Life below water
SDG 15 – Life on land
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals
Story
A bird of prey with its catch flies above Astola Island
MFF Pakistan
Astola Island has all the hallmarks of a nature tourism getaway – sandy beaches, crystal waters, and rich biodiversity tucked away in remote and pristine corners of the world.
However, despite its remoteness, Astola faces a number of issues. Fish stocks are gradually being depleted by large commercial trawlers operating in the area. Feral cats, introduced by fishermen during their brief stopovers to the island, now pose a threat to wildlife the reside on the islands and many bird nesting grounds. Abandoned fishing gear, or ghost nets, are clogging the islands shallow waters and beaches, disrupting turtle nesting areas and choking corals.
Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) under its Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 have committed to declare at least 10% of their coastal and marine areas as protected.
In 2015, the National Coordinating Body (NCB) of Mangroves for the Future (MFF) Pakistan, headed by the Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan constituted a Working Group which recommended four potential sites, including Astola Island, as Marine Protected Areas (MPA) for consideration to address Pakistan’s commitment under international conventions. Subsequently, a motion calling for the declaration of Astola Island as an MPA was adopted at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in September 2016.
With the continued commitment of the Government of Pakistan, and with assistance from MFF, Astola Island was declared Pakistan’s first Marine Protected Area on 15 June 2017. MFF Pakistan has since developed an ecological baseline and video documentary which will contribute to raising awareness and development of a management plan for Astola Island MPA.
