Scaling up innovative, community-based protection of coastal biodiversity in Indonesia, Philippines, and Pacific

The aim of the project was to promote the conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity in 27 locations in the Philippines, Indonesia and Micronesia. The project trained stakeholders in local communities to develop and manage marine protected areas and to establish exclusive fishing rights for local communities. Selected ‘Conservation Fellows’ received training from universities on how they can change the attitudes and behaviour of local stakeholders, and mobilise support for environmental protection. This work was followed by advisory support provided to local partners on corresponding independently conducted local campaigns. The project was supporting the target countries in complying with their obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other national and international commitments, such as the national action plans of the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) and the Micronesia Challenge (MC).

Project data

Countries: Indonesia, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Philippines
IKI funding: 3,431,165.06 €
Duration: 12/2013 till 12/2017
Status: completed
Implementing organisation: Rare
Political Partner: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Philippines

Department of Resources and Development - Federated States of Micronesia

Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries - Indonesia

Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism - Palau

Office of Environmental Planning and Policy Coordination - Marshall Islands
Implementing Partner: Marine and Environment Resources Foundation Inc. - Philippines

Micronesia Conservation Trust

Ministry of Forestry - Indonesia*

Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries - Indonesia
Online: http://www.rareconservation.org

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State of implementation/results

Project completed

February 2016, the project officially launched the Pride Campaign for Territorial Use Rights for Fishing (TURF) reserves at national level, jointly organized by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and Rare.
Following the national level Pride Campaign launch, several local sites were officially launched with support and attendance from government officials at district level, local community leaders and local press.
The informal multi stakeholder working group established to look at rights-based fisheries management (RBFM), completed their first draft of guidelines for marine protected areas (MPAs) in December 2015.
Project findings were presented at the UN Ocean (SDG14) Conference in New York.
In August 2017, the final phase of university based training for campaign fellows started.
End-of-project data collection survey focusing on ecological indicators and Knowledge, Attitude and Practices measures has been completed.

A Mayors Champion League was created, comprised of 20 mayors from current Rare sites who will advocate for the adoption of managed access of near-shore fisheries in other municipalities and for national adoption of the model.
As of today 29 mayors from existing Rare sites act as advocates for the program and learned how to educate others about their experience working with Rare. Eighteen are new mayors who were engaged through introductory training on improving fisheries management.
The project contributed to three of the nine strategic priorities of the new National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan 2014-2025 of the Philippine Government.
The Coral Triangle Learning Exchange brought together counterparts from Indonesia and the Philippines.
On a closing event the 12 Conservation Fellows presented their work to the relevant national line agencies.

As a continuation of the popular “Fish Talks” launched in July 2015, the local campaign managers conducted another successful Fishermen’s Forum in April 2016. The forum brought together a large constituency of local fishers to define new ways to improve market conditions and management systems for Palau’s local fisheries.
Exchange visit between Koror State, Palau and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority staff exposed a group of 6 managers and legislators to a comprehensive compliance management framework and introduced fisheries management and monitoring concepts for the Rock Island World Heritage Area.
Government agencies, private marketers, and researchers began planning with conservation partners for the development of a state-wide fisheries management plan for Pohnpei FSM that will ideally provide content and guidance for a nation-wide plan.

Latest Update:
04/2025