ITMEMS 1998 Proceedings - Case Studies

Session 8 - Coastal Development

Integrated Coastal Management in the Philippines: Testing New Paradigms [Adobe Acrobat Format 78 Kb]

For the last 20 years a variety of government and non-government organisations have been conceptualising and implementing an array of coastal management projects in the Philippines to address some of the crucial issues affecting its 18 000 kilometre coastline with its rich variety of productive tropical ecosystems (Ferrer et al. 1996; Christie & White 1997). The issues of most concern are declining fisheries, mangrove forest and coral reef destruction, and poverty among coastal communities.

The Philippines is endowed with approximately 27 000 square kilometres of coral reefs of which only about five per cent are still in excellent condition (Gomez et al. 1994). The numerous factors contributing to this decline are intertwined and not easily isolated for management purposes. Nevertheless, the primary issues affecting coral reefs, which are often used as symbols for the broader coastal management issues in the country, are: various kinds of sedimentation and pollution stemming from upland and coastal development; illegal and destructive fishing practices; overfishing due to an open-access fishery regime throughout the country; increasing poverty among coastal dwellers; a rapidly growing population; and variable political will to squarely address the problems.

Mangrove forests are in no better condition. The original mangrove forest cover of about 450 000 hectares in 1920 is now diminished to less that 140 000 hectares. This decline is mostly a result of clearing for shrimp farming operations, other forms of aquaculture and habitat conversion for urban development (Olsen & White 1997).

In short, the Philippine coastal zone is under siege from a variety of activities and impacts which are eroding the natural resource base and the area’s potential for future sustainable use. The lack of control of almost all development in the coastal zone is symptomatic and indicative of what is to come if much stronger and more effective institutions and procedures for integrated coastal management are not put into place in the near future. Coral reefs, the single most productive and economically important ecosystem in Philippine coastal waters, have already shown significant decline and will continue to do so in this scenario without much improved management support.

Community-based Coastal Resources Management in Indonesia: Examples and Initial Lessons from North Sulawesi [Adobe Acrobat Format 86 Kb]

Proyek Pesisir (Coastal Resources Management Project — Indonesia), a cooperative initiative of the government of Indonesia and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has been working for 18 months in the province of North Sulawesi to establish effective models of participatory and community-based coastal resources management. Many of the issues in the province, and models being established through this project, pertain to the management of coral reefs which remain in good to excellent condition, although threatened from destructive and unsustainable use practices. Models, or examples of best practices being developed include the formulation and implementation of village-based integrated coastal management plans, community-based marine sanctuaries, village ordinances, and participatory early actions. This paper describes the experiences and lessons learned by Proyek Pesisir in establishing community-based marine sanctuaries at one field site within the Minahasa Regency. It is argued that community-based and decentralised coral reef and coastal management initiatives can be established within the current institutional framework given the new openness within government and demands by the public for governance reforms.

Protected Areas on the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt: A Mechanism of Integrated Coastal Management [Adobe Acrobat Format 68 Kb]

Recognition of the close link between coral reefs and associated ecosystems and ambitious tourism development objectives for southern Sinai, prompted the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt to establish a network of marine and terrestrial protected areas to conserve critical natural resources and thereby support national economic development policies. The declaration of networked protectorates on the Gulf of Aqaba has in effect established a large marine protected area over 250 km of the coastline. Government conservation objectives supported by the Commission of the European Union are being realised, the Gulf of Aqaba is now fully protected, zero discharge policy is strictly enforced, coastal alterations are prohibited, artisanal fisheries are regulated, and consensus on management issues with resident communities and stakeholders has been achieved. The Gulf of Aqaba Protectorates Development Programme owes its success to proper integrated coastal zone management, strong legislation, unwavering Government support and the establishment of functional partnerships with the local community. This experience on the Gulf of Aqaba is going to be repeated by the Government of Egypt with strong support from the Red Sea Governor and investors by the declaration of the ‘Great Red Sea Marine Park’.

Session 8 Report: Coastal Development [Adobe Acrobat Format 15 Kb]