Overview of the BCC and implementation of the ... - DLIST Benguela

Stakeholder Involvement & Info Sharing• Radio/TV Talks• Print media• Web-based platforms• Email list servers• Guest talks/lectures• Film festivals• Workshops/meetings• Special events• National Inter-sectoral Stakeholder Groups (NISG)Recommend other ways to inform and involve stakeholders

BENEFITBCLMESAP Implementation1998Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis –identify key threats and their root causes2002Development of Strategic Action Programme (SAP)Interim Agreement to establish BCCShared fish stocks identified as key living transboundaryresource of Global Biodiversity Importance - GEF2007/ 2008- Development of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP)Implementation Project- Closure of BCLME Programme - Recommendations2013- Establish BCC – NOT FISHERIES ONLY- Develop Convention- Strategic Environmental Assessment- Valuation of Goods and Services- Demonstration sites- Harmonisation of policies and lawsStakeholderParticipationBCC focuses on mainstreaming and integrating other sectors [non-fisheries] to ensureall issues are identified/addressed and stakeholders involved

How far have we come –Background to the BenguelaCurrent Commission (BCC)Nico E. WillemseSr. Project ManagerBCLME SAP IMP Project

BCLME Programme GoalIntegrated management,sustainable development andprotection of the Benguela CurrentLarge Marine Ecosystem

Benguela Current LME Programme• Countries: Angola, Namibiaand South Africa• Duration: 2002 - 2008• Implementing agency: UNDP• Executing agency: UNOPS• GEF: US$ 15,000,000.00• In-kind: US$ 18,000,000.00

BCLME ProgrammeFocus Areas• Productivity and Fisheries• Environmental Variability and Predictability• Seabed Mining (e.g. diamonds)• Oil and Gas Exploration and Production• Ecosystem Health and Pollution• Socio-economics and Governance• Training and Capacity Building

Strategic Action Programme(SAP)The SAP was developed based on the outcome of aTransboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) carried outby Angola, Namibia and South AfricaTDA identified and investigated the causes of negativeimpacts on the BCLMEAfter this, the three countries agreed on specific actionsthat need to be carried out to improve planning, useand management of resources in the BCLMEThese actions were included in the SAP and signed in2002.The BCLME SAP IMP Project supports theimplementation of the SAP from 2009-2012

Key Strategic Actions in the SAPinclude• Joint assessments of shared/ transboundary fish stocks• Develop and implement an ecosystem approach to fisheries(EAF) management – takes into account humans as part ofecosystems• Develop early warning system (EWS) for extreme events• Develop capacity to monitor and adapt to unfavourableenvironmental conditions• Assess impacts of oil/ gas exploration and production andoffshore and coastal diamond mining• Guidelines for water quality and responsible mining• Assess land-based sources of marine pollution• Joint responses for transboundary oil spills• Establish regional management structure (BCC)

Examples of BCLME Achievements (1)Environmental variability Early warning system (EWS) developed State of Ecosystem Information System (SEIS) designed andoperationalMonitoring and management of HABs Real-time forecasting improved Shellfish sanitation standards developedTransboundary fisheries monitoring and management Surveys of shared horse mackerel and pilchard in southernAngola – northern NamibiaManagement of marine pollution Assessment of national oil spill contingency and responseplanning to develop a Regional Oil Spill ContingencyPlanning framework

Examples of BCLME Achievements (2)Status and indicators of ecosystem healthReduce by-catch of seabirds, pelagic sharks and turtlescaught incidentally by longlinersArtisanal fisheriesSocio-economic surveys and review of institutionalarrangementsMarine biodiversityCoastal areas analysed for Oil Spill sensitivityMarine protected areas (MPAs) proposedManaging impacts of offshore oil and gas and diamondminingAssessment of cumulative effects completed of offshoreoil and gas exploration and production and, offshore andcoastal mining on the ecosystem completed

Examples of BCLME Achievements (3)Commitment for a Intergovernmental TransboundaryLME Management Institution – creation of theBenguela Current Commission (BCC)Governments endorsed Interim Agreement forestablishment of the BCC – August 2006Adoption of the BCC and its structures by FirstMinisterial Conference – July 2007BCC – Ministerial Conference, Management Board,Secretariat, Ecosystem Advisory Committee, JointWorking Groups, National Coordinators

BCC VisionA Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem that issustainably used and managed, conserved, protected, andcontributes to the wellbeing of the people of the regionMission StatementTo foster cooperation amongst the Republic of Angola,Republic of Namibia and Republic of South Africatowards an integrated, science-based and regionalapproach for the conservation, protection and sustainableuse and management of the BCLME through facilitatingthe development and implementation of joint programmesof work.

Core Values• Provision of best available scientific advice• Sustainable exploitation and management of livingmarine resources• Responsible exploitation and management of non-livingmarine resources• Conservation of biodiversity, habitats, environmentalgoods and services, and ecosystem functions andprocesses• Prevention and mitigation of acute and chronic pollution• Sufficient human, institutional and financial resources toachieve the objectives of the Convention• Transformation, training and capacity building

Core ValuesPursuant to achieving the objectives of the Convention,the BCC will demonstrate the following core values:IntegrityAccountabilityTransparencyEquityEnvironmental sustainability

Benguela Current Commission (BCC)MandateMakes recommendations to governments on:• Sustainable use of shared fisheries resources – e.g. Hakes, horsemackerel and sardinella• Monitoring and control of uses of the ecosystem – illegalfishing, irresponsible mining, destructive tourism, etc.• Protection of biodiversity through, for e.g. establishing MarineProtected Areas (MPAs) and conserving non-target species• Monitoring and management of unfavourable environmentalconditions, e.g. Harmful algal blooms and low oxygen events• Assessing impacts of development activities e.g. mining, coastalinfrastructure development, etc.• Coordinated planning to respond to oil spills

Benguela Current Commission Organogram

BCC Management BoardMinisterialConferenceCommissionSecretariatEcosystem Advisory Committee• Senior government officials• Apply policy decisions of the MinisterialConference• Oversee and direct the activities of theSecretariat, EAC and any othercommittee or joint working groups• Approve budgets and work plans forthe Commission• Coordinate the implementation ofStrategic Action Programme• Develop and apply policy – integrate,harmonize regional & national policy• Respond to and implementrecommendations from the EAC.• Facilitate involvement of allstakeholders• Guide, facilitate and support thedevelopment, consultation, negotiationand adoption of a BCC Treaty by 2012.

Ecosystem Advisory CommitteeMinisterialConferenceCommissionSecretariatEcosystem Advisory Committee• Provide best available information anddata for the conservation, sustainable useand development of the BCLME• State of the environment informationsystem (SEIS) and environmental earlywarning• Production, storage and management ofdata• Regional fish stock assessment,monitoring and management• Implementation of biodiversityconservation plan, pollution monitoring andmonitoring of environmental change andthreats• Build capacity within the participatinginstitutes and ministries to implementecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF)management

BCC Focus 2009-2012: Institutional Development• Supported by the three governments to establish aSecretariat and to finance its operations• Development and implementation of Financial andAdministrative rules and procedures• National Coordinators to support Conventiondevelopment and SAP implementation at national level• Review of capacities for EAF and support for EAFcapacity building at institutional level

BCC Focus 2009-2012: Science Activities• Joint assessment of transboundary/ shared fish stocks• Seal and Seabird Monitoring• Water Quality and Pollution Monitoring• Research on important non-commercial fish and fisheryresources• Developing a State of the Ecosystem Information System(SEIS• Improving observation of the ocean environment andclimate• Research on the environment at transboundary zones –Ang-Nam and Nam-R.S.A.• Conservation – Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and habitatrehabilitation• Data and information management

BCC Funding• BCC Science Program (2008-2015)– Norway: US$ 8.5 million– European Union: Euro 1.5 million• Training and Capacity Building (2009-2012)– Iceland: US$ 500,000.00• Institutional set-up (2009-2012)– US$ 100,000 per country p.a. and substantial inkindcontributions• SAP Implementation (2009-2013)– GEF/ UNDP: US$ 5.3 million– In-kind country support: US$ 31 million

BeneficiariesBeneficiaries of the BCC• Government ministries and departments• Local communities/ general public• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)• Private sector• Academic/ research institutions• Regional bodies – e.g. SADC, African Union,NEPAD• Other LMEs in Africa and internationally• GEF and UNDP

Benefits of the BCC• Involvement of ALL stakeholders in planning and implementationprocesses• Improved understanding of each stakeholder’s role in ensuringsustainable resources (for future generations)• Improved national and regional policy and legislative frameworks –through participation of stakeholders• Involvement of local level stakeholders in SAP implementationthrough Demonstration Projects• Best value for money from planned resource use• Better understanding of social and economic impact at national andregional levels• Improved information sharing with all stakeholders [throughmechanisms like DLIST, local radio, newspapers, etc.]• LME that sets a global example and standard for improved oceangovernanceYOU WILL KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON, HOWTHINGS CAN AFFECT YOU AND HOW YOU CANPARTICIPATE

National Coordinators• Role and responsibilities;– Coordinate activities between different institutionsand stakeholders– Oversee consultants appointed by the project tosupport the Commission and its stakeholders– Ensure stakeholders know what is happening in theproject and how they can get involved– Provide information or access to information– Coordinate implementation of national level SAPactivities – e.g. development of MPAs, assessment ofoil impacts, etc.– Support all stakeholders to be involved in theConvention process

Contact Us AnytimeLUANDA, AngolaMs. Maria De Lourdes Sardinha (Milu)Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and FisheriesCell: +244 917 487 687MariaDL@unops.orgSWAKOPMUND, NamibiaMr. Frederik Botes (Frikkie)Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR)Cell: +264 811 424 006FrederikB@unops.orgCAPE TOWN, South AfricaMr. Gcobani PoposeDepartment of Environmental Affairs and WaterCell: +27 718 747 574gpopose@environment.gov.za