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Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project

Draft Annual Report on the year 2014 v 14 February 2015

Contents

Abbreviations and Acronyms ........................................................................................................ 2

1. Progress and Outputs .............................................................................................................. 3

1.1 Summary for the year 2014 .................................................................................................... 3

1.2 Progress with respect to the Project LogFrame targets ....................................................... 10

1.3 2014 events diary .................................................................................................................. 13

1.4 Progress towards achieving the project components .......................................................... 16

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Abbreviations and Acronyms

ACB ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity ADB Asian Development Bank AIT Asian Institute of Technology APFIC Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations BIMSTEC Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and

Economic Cooperation BOBLME Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem BOBP-IGO Bay of Bengal Programme – Inter-Governmental

Organisation CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CCA Climate Change Adaptation CCRF Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries CERMES Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (of wild fauna and flora) CMS Convention on Migratory Species COFI Committee on Fisheries (of FAO) CPUE Catch Per Unit Effort CCR-BOBLME Consortium for the Conservation and Restoration of

the BOBLME CSR Corporate Social Responsibility DRM Disaster Risk Management EA Ecosystem Approach EAFM Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management EBSA Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas EcoQO Ecosystem Quality Objective EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone ETP Endangered Threatened and Protected (species) FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FFI Flora and Fauna International GEF Global Environment Facility GDP Gross Domestic Product GESAMP Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects on Marine Environmental Protection GPA Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities GPNM Global Programme of Nutrient Management HDI Human Development Index ICM Integrated Coastal Management ICRI International Coral Reef Initiative ICSF International Collective in Support of Fish workers IGBP International Geosphere Biosphere Programme ILO International Labour Organization IOGOOS Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System IOC Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission IOSEA Indian Ocean-South East Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding IOTC Indian Ocean Tuna Commission IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature

IUU Illegal Unregulated and Unreported (Fishing) LME Large Marine Ecosystem LOICZ Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships MCS Monitoring Control and Surveillance MDG Millennium Development Goals M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MFF Mangroves for the Future (an IUCN body) MPA Marine Protected Area MSP Marine Spatial Planning NACA Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific NAP National Action Programme NEWS Nutrient Export from Watersheds NGO Non-governmental Organization NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States NORAD Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation NPOA National Plan of Action PEMSEA Partnerships in Environmental Management of the Seas of East Asia PPP Public Private Partnerships PSC Project Steering Committee RPOA Regional Plan of Action SAARC South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation SACEP South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme SAP Strategic Action Programme SEAFDEC Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center SIDA Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency SME Small and Medium Enterprises SSF Small Scale Fisheries TDA Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis TWAP Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UN-ESCAP United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNGA United Nations General Assembly UNFSA United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement VME Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem VMS Vessel Monitoring System WB World Bank WCMC World Conservation Monitoring Centre WWF Worldwide Fund for Nature

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1. Progress and Outputs

1.1 Summary for the year 2014

Major achievements:

PSC adopted the text and content of the Strategic Action Programme

The Essential EAFM training provided: 1 regional workshop; 9 national trainings and 5 trainings outside the region

First ever ecosystem valuation for the Bay of Bengal

Training provided on the collection of social and economic information

Ecosystem sub regions in the Bay of Bengal identified and characterised

BOBLME modelled using ECOPATH with ECOSIM

Science communications training scaled up in Sri Lanka and Malaysia

Hilsa Working Group (since 2011) continues its work

Indian mackerel genetic working group - huge regional effort

MPA data portal opened

The 2014 BOBLME Newsletter was published

Training:

Jan-Mar

Myanmar - Socio-economics monitoring (SocMon) training, Mon State, coordinated by FFI — 10 days, 20

participants (8M, 12F)

Sri Lanka: Data collection and processing meeting with BOBLME and IOTC, Colombo, Sri Lanka — 3 days, 7


Regional (Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia): EAFM Training and Training of Trainers

held in SEAFDEC — 8 days, 24 participants (10M, 14F)

Malaysia: EAFM Training undertaken DoF, Sabah — 6 days, 19 participants (11M, 8F)

Regional (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand): BOBLME-

IOTC Regional Meeting on International fisheries conventions and implementation of IOTC Resolutions,

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, coordinated by IOTC — — 4 days, 25 participants (20M, 5F)

Malaysia: EAFM Training undertaken DoF, Johor — 6 days, 19 participants (10M, 9F)

Myanmar - Knowledge exchange on 'enhancing capacities of fishing communities for resource

management', Cambodia — 4 days, 6 participants (10M, 9F)

Thailand - Knowledge exchange forum on 'ecosystem based management in Thailand', Krabi —

coordinated by ICSF — 3 days, 45 participants (30M, 15F)

India - ICSF enhancing capacities of fishing communities for resource management consolidation

workshop, West Bengal — coordinated by ICSF — 2 days

Bangladesh - National seminar on 'challenges in ensuring access to coastal resources', Cox's Bazar —

coordinated by ICSF — 1 day

Apr-Jun

Training on connecting science with management, Phuket, Thailand, in collaboration with IOTC — 3 days,

35 participants (23M, 12F)

EAFM Training - organised by the REBYC Project, conducted by SEAFDEC and supported by BOBLME;

Bangkok, Thailand — 7 days, 22 participants (17M, 5F)

Jul-Sep

Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka — EAFM Training of trainers — 2 days, 4 participants (2M, 2F)

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Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka — EAFM Training – 5 days, 25 participants (17M, 8F)

Regional — Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) postgraduate course – 40 days, 20 participants (15M,

5F)

Sri Lanka —Scientific presentation – 3 days, 33 participants (13M, 20F)

Regional — Application of ECOPATH with ECOSIM workshop to BOBLME – 5 days, 21 participants (13M,

8F)

Regional — Monsoon Onset Monitoring and its Social and Ecosystem Impacts training – 5 days, 8


Regional — Training Course on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries – 13 days, 8 participants

(7M, 1F)

Malaysia — Training workshop on Testing Oil Spill Dispersants – 7 days, 3 participants (0M, 3F)

Malaysia — Science writing training workshop – 4 days, 23 participants (9M, 14F)

Oct-Dec

BOBLME training activities Integrated coastal management training workshop, Thailand - 4 days, 25 regional participants (18M,7F)

Malaysia - Science presentation training - 3 days, 24 Malaysian participants (11M, 13F)

SOCMON training, India - 6 days, 21 Indian participants (20M, 1F)

Essential EAFM training, Indonesia - 4 days, 24 Indonesian participants (18M, 6F)

Essential EAFM training, Indonesia - 4 says, 29 Indonesian participants (22M, 7F)

Sharks taxonomy training workshop, Malaysia - 4 days, 9 Malaysia and Myanmar participants (7M ,2F)

Essential EAFM Training of trainers, Bangladesh- 2 days, 4 Bangaldesh participants (3M, 1F)

Essential EAFM Training, Bangladesh - 4 days, 24 Bangladesh participants (22M, 2F)

Training activities supported by BOBLME

SAARC Training workshop on Integrated Coastal Area and River basin Management, Colombo - 5 days 1

participant from Bangladesh (1M)

INCOIS Training Course on Ocean Colour Remote Sensing - Data, Processing and Applications, India - 4

days 1 participant from Bangladesh (1M)

SAARC Training on management and conservation for climate change impacts on coral reef, Andamans - 5

days, 2 Bangladesh and 5 Maldives participants (6M, 1F)

BOBLME National projects 2014 Bangladesh

Ongoing work from previous years Partner End date/ closure

Enhancing capacities of fishing communities for resource management

International Collective in Support of Fishworkers

Procedures and methods for continuing assessment of the status of the Hilsa resources in Bangladesh

BFRI (Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute)

Survey of shark fisheries and a National Plan of Action for conservation and management of shark resources in Bangladesh


Development and maintenance of the BOBLME-Bangladesh website and national communication hub


New work initiated in 2014

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Sharks taxonomy training for participants from Bangladesh and Myanmar

SEAFDEC/MFRDMD 31 Dec 14

Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) training in Bangladesh

BOBP-IGO 31 Dec 14

Pollution monitoring in Bangladesh (Artificial Mussel technology) University of Chittagong 28 Feb 15

Socio-economic (SocMon) training in South Asia IMM Ltd 31 Mar 15

Strengthening National Capacity on Managing Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in Bangladesh

IUCN Bangladesh 30 Apr 15

India




Science communication in India -MBAI Marine Biological Association of India

Dissemination of FAO Voluntary guidelines on Small Scale Fisheries International Collective in Support of Fishworkers

31 Mar 15

A systematic pilot process for Integrated Coastal Management in Puducherry, India

FSI (Fisheries Survey of India) 30 Jun 15

Hilsa research - India Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute

31 Dec 15

Indian mackerel genetics (India) CMFRI 31 Mar 15

Detailed genetic study on the overall stock of the Indian mackerel along the Indian coast and conducting a process harmonisation workshop

NBFGR 31 Mar 15

Socio economic assessment of shark targeted fisheries and preparing a draft National Plan of Action (NPOA) on sharks in India

BOBP-IGO 31 Mar 15

Workshop on ocean observation instruments and training on Code of Conduct of Responsible Fisheries

BOBP-IGO 30 Jan 13

Chilka Ecosystem health card UNEP-GPA


Ecosystem characterisation of the coastal waters of India NIO-National Institute of Oceanography

31 Dec 14

Support to Island sustainability workshop in Andaman and Nicobars Hoon 31 Dec 15

Evaluation of the current conservation measures on sea cucumber stocks in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar of India

CMFRI 31 May 15

A study in support of seahorse conservation and management in the Gulf of Mannar

CMFRI 31 May 15

Establishment and operation of a Coastal Stewardship Centre to foster Integrated Coastal Management in Pondicherry, India

PondyCAN 31 May 15


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Indonesia




Assessment and planning of effective management of two MPAs in Sumatra coast, Indonesia

Directorate General of Capture Fisheries (DGCF)

Genetic variation and population structure of Indian mackerel in the southern part of BOBLME region, Indonesia

Directorate General of Capture Fisheries (DGCF) Jakarta, Indonesia

31 Mar 15

Targeted research on Indian mackerel – fisheries biology Directorate General of Capture Fisheries (DGCF)

30 Apr 15

Implementation of the national plan of action for conservation and management of shark resources - Indonesia


31 Aug 14


Training in community perception monitoring and in evaluation of management effectiveness of marine protected areas in Northern Sumatra


31 may 15

Capacity development for the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management - Indonesia


31 Dec 14

Improving collection and reporting of fisheries data in Indonesia IOTC 31 Jun 15

Malaysia


Coral bleaching in Malacca Straits School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Implementation of the national plan of action for conservation and management of shark resources

SEAFDEC/MFRDMD

Developing BOBLME Malaysia communication hub and extension material

SEAFDEC/MFRDMD 31 Aug 15

Coordination of Indian mackerel research

Marine Fishery Resources Development and Management Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC/MFRDMD)

31 Mar 15


Science communication in Malaysia Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) 31 Dec 14

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National SAP consultation – Malaysia SEAFDEC/MFRDMD

Maldives


Implementing rapid assessment protocols for assessing catch composition from small scale fisheries in the Bay of Bengal

CSIRO 31 Jul 14

Grouper resources conservation through spatial protection measures, Maldives

Marine Research Centre (MRC) 30 Jun 14

Formulation and implementation of a National Plan of Action for conservation of shark resources,Maldives

Marine Research Centre (MRC) 30 Jun 14


Raising Awareness on Entanglement of Olive Ridley Turtles in the Central Indian Ocean

Marine Research Centre (MRC) 28 Feb 15

Myanmar


Procedures and Methods for Continuing Assessment of the Status of the Hilsa Resources in Myanmar

DOF (Department Of Fisheries Myanmar)

31 May 15



Information base and network for conservation and management of the Myeik Archipelago,Myanamar

IUCN Asia Regional Office 10 Mar 15

Training course on the use of Socio-economic Monitoring (SocMon) in Myanmar

FFI-Fauna & Flora International 28 Feb 14


Seagrass monitoring in Myanmar FFI-Fauna & Flora International 30 Jun 15

Vulnerability and resilience of the Irrawaddy Delta, Myanmar-Lead consultant

Delta Alliance


31 Mar 15

Sharks taxonomy training for participants from Bangladesh and Myanmar

SEAFDEC/MFRDMD 31 Dec 14

Strengthening existing marine reserves and shark conservation in Myanmar

FFI-Fauna & Flora International 31 May 15

Collection of baseline socio-economic information on coastal fishing communities in the Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar

FFI-Fauna & Flora International 31 Jan 15

A programme of research and capacity development in Myanmar with focus on hilsa resources

WorldFish Centre 31 May 15

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Enhancing capacity on monitoring marine pollution and water quality in Myanmar

Norwegian Institute for water research (NIVA)

31 Jul 15


Coral training, DMRC Phuket - 31 Jul 15

Sri Lanka


Improvement of the pelagic fisheries data collection system in Sri Lanka

Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development

Science communication in Sri Lanka SLAFAR

Impacts of bottom trawling on habitats and biodiversity in the Palk Bay

University of Amsterdam 30 Sep14

Strengthening the logbook data recording system for fishing vessels, Sri Lanka

Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development

31 Dec 14

Education, capacity development and monitoring in support of Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary management

NARA (National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency)

28 Feb 15

Genetic study of the Indian mackerel stock along the Sri Lankan coast, strengthening the catch data collection as well as the study of the reproductive biology and feeding ecology of Indian mackerel


31 Mar 15

Survey of Shark Fisheries and National Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Shark Resources, Sri Lanka


30 Sep 14


Science communication training for participants of the Wayamba International Conference (WINC)

Wayamba University 31 Dec 14

The assessment of water and sediment quality and associated sea urchin fauna of the Gulf of Mannar coastline

Wayamba University 30 Jun 15



Survey of fishing effort for Sri Lanka Blue Swimming Crab in the Northwest and Northern coast of Sri Lanka and development of a management plan-SMoF Sri Lanka

SMOF 31 Jul 15

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Essential EAFM training in Sri Lanka Wayamba University (and SMOF) 10 Apr 15

Thailand


Promoting Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) in selected Seagrass areas in the coast of Satun province , Thailand

Marine Fisheries Research and Technological Development Institute, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives



Implementing rapid assessment protocols for assessing catch composition from small scale fisheries in the Bay of Bengal

CSIRO 31 Jul 14

Targeted Research on Indian Mackerel and Sharks and Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Shark Resources

Department of Fisheries of Thailand

31 mar 15

Thailand: MPA programme of work Wetlands Alliance



31 Mar 15

Expenditures at the end of 2014 The % of the total budgets spent (and committed) for each donor for the period 1 April 2009 to 31 December 2014 are as follows. Total budget

85%

15%

GEF: total budget - $12,082,099- Q4 2014

Spent

Unspent

100%

NORAD: total budget - $2,072,856 - Q4 2014

Spent

100%

SIDA: total budget - $1,403,333 - by Q4 2014

Spent

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1.2 Progress with respect to the Project LogFrame targets

Key Completed () Completion imminent

→/• To be completed

PY 1 PY 2 PY 3 PY 4 PY 5 PY 6 PY 7

Global Environment Objective: A healthy ecosystem and sustainability of living resources for the benefit of the coastal populations of the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME).

Project Development Objective: To support a series of strategic interventions that would result in and provide critical inputs into the Strategic Action Programme (SAP), whose implementation will lead to enhanced food security and reduced poverty for coastal communities

A regional level transboundary diagnostic analysis completed.

A SAP developed and endorsed by governments. → →

Stakeholder consultations undertaken over the life of the Project.

Institutional and financial mechanisms spelled out in the SAP (end of PY5) to ensure Programme sustainability beyond the life of the Project.

→

Outcome 1 (Component 1): The institutional and programmatic basis for implementing the SAP has been developed.

Updating TDA incorporating post-tsunami environmental studies.

Gap analysis of existing TDA.

National technical consultation processes on updated TDA.

National inter-ministry and stakeholder consultations on updated TDA.

Finalized and approved TDA.

Regional institutional and financial analysis completed. → → →

Regional institutional and financial options consulted Nationally and options for input to the SAP completed.

See 1 →

Regional institutional and financial options input to the SAP. → → First draft of Regional SAP.

Regional SAP team formed.

SAP consultations commence.

SAP finalized. See 2 →

National Action Plans drafted. → See 2 →

National Action Plans consultations. See 2 →

Full size Phase II BOBLME project proposal.

→ →

Outcome 2 (Component 2): Regional and sub-Regional collaborative management approaches applied to priority issues, and barriers affecting coastal/marine living natural resources in the BOBLME, and the livelihoods of dependent coastal communities are removed.

National pilot areas for disseminating best practices identified. • ongoing - see 3

Policy analysis and work plan to guide strengthening of national policy formulation.

•

ongoing

Lessons learned report on uptake of pilot areas completed and available

Policy formulation capacity component ongoing. •

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Final report on policy formulation capacity building for community based ICM completed.

•

Regional statistical working group formed and operational

Regional statistical protocols developed and available. ongoing - see 4

Reports on fisheries data and information produced - ongoing. •

Three fishery management plans developed and submitted to governments for their consideration.

See 5

ongoing

Two bi-national management plans for critical transboundary habitats submitted to respective governments.

See 6

ongoing

Outcome 3 (Component 3): Increased understanding of large-scale processes and ecological dynamics and interdependencies characteristic of the BOBLME.

Agreed work plan to address key data and information gaps completed.

Regional MPA/fish refugia action plan completed.

Creation of partnerships and collaborative work implemented – ongoing.

Outcome 4 (Component 4): Institutional arrangements and processes established to support a collaborative approach to ascertain and monitor ecosystem health of the BOBLME

Regional report on LME wide environmental health indicators available.

National consultations on environmental indicators report.

Final draft of report describing LME wide environmental health indicators available.

•

ongoing

Regional work group on pollution monitoring created

Action plan for addressing land-based sources of pollution forwarded to governments

See 7

Outcome 5 (Component 5): Sufficient institutional capacity established to coordinate regional interventions, monitor project impacts, and disseminate and exchange information

Initial RCU established and functioning

Final decision on location of RCU by start of PY2

Recommendations for ensuring an effective and efficient RCU ongoing PY1-5.

Project monitoring programme reviewed and approved by the PSC and under implementation – ongoing.

Project communications plan reviewed and approved by the PSC and under implementation – ongoing.

Project results and lessons learned disseminated on ongoing basis

Notes: 1. The draft SAP currently contains proposed institutional and financial arrangements and is awaiting NAP inputs from the project countries. It is envisaged the SAP will go out for national consultations in Q3 2014 - at which time the institutional and financial arrangements will be reviewed. 2. National action plans were due back from countries in February 2013. NAPs from only 1 country is outstanding. Once the NAPs are complete, the SAP will be finalised and made ready for national consultations. 3. This target is derived for the integration of ICM activities from Subcomponent 2.1 (ICM) and other related subcomponents e.g. SC-2.4 (Critical habitats) and SC-3.2 (MPAs). While some national activities are being undertaken (and more may be undertaken in the future), ICM approaches are being implemented at the transboundary pilot sites in the Gulf of Mannar and Myeik Archipelago. This work is being undertaken as part of SC-2.4 (Critical habitats) - which did not have a budget allocated to it in the Prodoc. Similarly some countries are undertaking ICM objectives through their MPA work (SC-3.2). Furthermore, the 21 BOBLME participants in the Asian Institute of Technology, MFF, BOBLME Postgraduate Certificate Course in Integrated Coastal Management undertook supervised project assignments, implementing ICM practices. 4. The approach to developing regional statistical protocols is multifaceted and includes strengthening the collection and reporting of data for FAO global fisheries statistics; activities relating to the improvements of statistics for hilsa and Indian mackerel, sharks and small pelagics more generally (including the use of rapid survey

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techniques). And verification of fisheries data using national statistics, catch reconstructions, FAO data and research data. 5. The BOBLME Regional Fisheries Management Advisory Committee (RFMAC) delivered draft fisheries management plans/advisories for hilsa and Indian mackerel. The RCU is currently investigating the possibility of constituting a fisheries decision making forum (to consider the advisories) under the auspices of BOBP-IGO and SEAFDEC. This may or may not be possible in time left in the Project depending on the plans of both these organisations. Sharks are being addressed in a different way, such that national plans of action will be combined into a draft regional plan of action by the end of 2014. 6. Progress has been made in both Gulf of Mannar and Myeik Archipelago, but activities mainly relate to supporting dialogue and collaborative activities involving research and trainings. The development of management plans will take many years and is beyond the achievements of the current Project. 7. Action plans for addressing land-based sources of pollution are being developed as part of the SAP. National action plans were due back from countries in February 2013. NAPs from only 1 country is outstanding. Once the NAPs are complete, the SAP will be finalised and made ready for national consultations.

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1.3 2014 events diary

Events diary 2014: January

9-19 Myanmar - Socio-economics monitoring (SocMon) training — coordinated by FFI — CTA 19-21 South Asian Convention on Coastal Management, convened by the Centre for Science and

Environment and Pondy Citizens Action Network, Puducherry, India — RC 19-23 Palk Bay Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka — CTA 22-23 India: Project implementation meetings with MoEF and MOLF, New Delhi — RC 22-23 Sri Lanka: Data collection and processing meeting with BOBLME and IOTC, Colombo, Sri Lanka —

TO 20-30 EAFM Training and Training of Trainers held in SEAFDEC — CTA

February 10-12 BOBLME ecosystem characterisation workshop, Phuket, Thailand — coordinated by CSIRO 10-15 Malaysia: EAFM Training undertaken DoF, Sabah 11-12 BOBLME MPA Working Group meeting, Penang, Malaysia — coordinated by WorldFish 11-14 BOBLME-IOTC Regional Meeting on International fisheries conventions and implementation of

IOTC Resolutions, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — coordinated by IOTC 22 Bangladesh - National seminar on 'challenges in ensuring access to coastal resources', Cox's

Bazar — coordinated by ICSF 24 RCU meeting with FAO fisheries statistics, RCU 25-26 BOBLME annual work plan development meeting (with National Coordinators and National

Technical Advisors), Phuket Thailand

March 6-7 The TWAP-Lake Group Consultative Meeting with South Asia and Southeast Asia LME Group,

Manila, Philippines — RC 9-14 Malaysia: EAFM Training undertaken DoF, Johor 10-12 The 2nd Asian Regional Targeted Workshop for GEF IW Projects, Manila, Philippines — RC 17-20 IW:LEARN ICT Workshop on Data Sharing and Management using Open-Source Geospatial

Platform, Manila Philippines — TO 17-20 Myanmar and Cambodia - Knowledge exchange on 'enhancing capacities of fishing communities

for resource management', Cambodia — coordinated by ICSF 18 RCU meeting with UNEP and SEAFDEC, Bangkok, Thailand — RC 18-20 Thailand - Knowledge exchange forum on 'ecosystem based management in Thailand', Krabi —

coordinated by ICSF 24-25 India - ICSF enhancing capacities of fishing communities for resource management consolidation

workshop, West Bengal — coordinated by ICSF

April 2-3 BOBLME Project Steering Committee meeting — Maldives - RCU 22-25 Global Ocean Summit, The Hague - support to the Myanmar to participate 24-30 EAFM Training - organised by the REBYC Project, conducted by SEAFDEC and supported by

BOBLME; Bangkok, Thailand

May 5-9 Myanmar: Workshop to review the results of the 2013 RV. Nansen ecosystem survey, Yangon —

RC, CTA 20-21 Regional workshop on the “Interlinkages between Environmental Sustainability and a Human

Rights-Based Approach” hosted by Sweden; Bangkok, Thailand — RC 21-22 Sub-Regional Workshop to Validate the Scoping Study of Nutrient Pollution on the Coastal and

Marine Systems of South Asia - Colombo, Sri Lanka. Hosted by SACEP, supported by BOBLME — CTA

25 Meeting with IOC-WESTPAC representatives to discuss oceanographic content of the BOBLME Project — RCU

27-28 Sub-regional Consultative Meeting on the Collaborative Fisheries Management around the North Andaman Sea/Myeik Archipelago - Phuket, Thailand. Hosted by SEAFDEC-SIDA — CTA

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June 5-20 Myanmar: Ayeyarwady Delta Assessment, with Delta Alliance 9-10 Indonesia: Fisheries Management Area Planning Session (EAFM Planning) for the BOBLME

regions in Indonesia, Bandung — CTA 9-13 Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) and meeting with the FAO Project Task Force, FAO,

Rome, Italy - RC 19-25 APFIC Regional Consultative Forum meeting and Commission meeting, Hyderabad, India — CTA 25-27 IOTC-BOBLME workshop on connecting science with management, Phuket, Thailand — RC 29-2 Jul IOTC Working Party on Neritic Tunas, supported by BOBLME, Phuket, Thailand — RC

July 29-02 IOTC Working Party on Neritic Tuna (supported by BOBLME), Phuket, Thailand 8-11 Large Marine Ecosystem Consultative Committee meeting, Paris, France - CTA 8-10 First workshop for the development of a regional marine and coastal biodiversity strategy for the South Asian Seas region (supported by BOBLME, coordinated by SACEP), Colombo, Sri Lanka 18 Meeting with Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation regarding future collaboration, RCU.

August 4-6 Myanmar — IUCN Marine Protected Area workshop (supported by BOBLME), Yangon. 8-9 EAFM training of trainers workshop - South Asia, Chennai, India (coordinated by BOBP-IGO) - PM, EC 11-15 EAFM Training - South Asia, Chennai, India (coordinated by BOBP-IGO) - PM, EC 18 -26 Sep Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) postgraduate course III (coordinated by IUCN), Bangkok, Thailand 26-28 Sri Lanka — BOBLME Science presentation training workshop in support of the Wayamba International Conference, Wayamba – RC & TO 26-28 Regional Capacity building workshop CITES Sharks, Chennai, India - PM 29-30 Sri Lanka —Wayamba International Conference, Sri Lanka - RC

September 8-12 BOBLME Application of ECOPATH with ECOSIM workshop to the BOBLME, Phuket, Thailand 9-13 The WESTPAC Fifth Summer School on Monsoon Onset Monitoring and its Social and Ecosystem Impacts (MOMSEI) - supported by BOBLME , Jakarta, Indonesia 16-17 Myanmar - meeting with project counterparts, Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw — RC 20-2 Oct BOBP-IGO Regional Training Course on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (supported by BOBLME), Chennai, India 21-27 NIO (India) and Malaysia training workshop on Testing Oil Spill Dispersants (supported by BOBLME), Goa, India 29-2 Oct Malaysia — BOBLME science writing training workshop, Penang

October 6-7 Meetings with SEAFDEC and the French Development Agency, Bangkok, Thailand - RC 21-22 BOBLME SAP Finalisation meeting Bangkok, Thailand 28-30 BOBLME Governance workshop Bangkok, Thailand 02 - 03 Myanmar - BOBLME MPA Workshop (with IUCN), Myeik 08 - 10 3rd Global Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) conference, Namibia 13 - 17 SAARC Training workshop on Integrated Coastal Area and River basin Management - Colombo, Sri

Lanka (some participants supported by BOBLME) 20 - 24 BOBLME Integrated Coastal Management training workshop (with PEMSEA), Chonburi Thailand 20 - 22 BOBLME India ecosystem characterisation workshop (with NIO and CSIRO), Goa India 27 - 02 Nov BOBLME SOCMON training in India (with IMM), Bhubaneswar, India 27 – 31 IOTC 10th session of the working party on ecosystem and bycatch, Japan (some participants

supported by BOBLME)

November 3 - 5 BOBLME ecosystem characterisation workshop II (with CSIRO), Bangkok Thailand 6 BOBLME EBSA identification preparatory workshop (with CSIRO), Bangkok Thailand

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10 - 14 INCOIS International Training Course on 'Ocean Colour Remote Sensing - Data, Processing and Applications', Hyderabad, India (some participants supported by BOBLME)

10 - 14 BOBLME Essential EAFM training in Indonesia. Padang, Indonesia 12 - 15 10th Indian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (10IFAF), Lucknow, India - RC 12 - 14 BOBLME EAFM Training of trainers in Bangladesh (with IMA), Chittagong, Bangladesh 16 - 20 BOBLME EAFM Training in Bangladesh (with BOBP-IGO), Chittagong, Bangladesh 17 - 21 BOBLME Essential EAFM training in Indonesia, Medan Indonesia 18 - 19 Indonesian Seas LME Planning, Jakarta Indonesia - CTA 24 - 27 BOBLME Science presentation training in Malaysia (with USM), Penang, Malaysia 25 NARA Conference for Developing Priorities for Future Aquatic Environmental Research, Colombo,

Sri Lanka - RC 26 - 28 BOBLME Hilsa working group (with CIFRI), Barrackpore India 30 - 4 Dec BOBLME Sharks taxonomy training workshop (with SEAFDEC), Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

December 2 - 3 BOBLME ecosystem valuation workshop, Phuket, Thailand 2 - 5 International symposium, MECOS2, on Marine Ecosystems - Challenges and Opportunities, Kochi,

India - CTA 8 - 11 FAO workshop on the Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small Scale Fisheries, Rome,

Italy - RC 15 - 20 SAARC Training on management and conservation for climate change impacts on coral reef -

Havelock Island, Andaman, India (some participants supported by BOBLME) 16 - 18 FRI Andaman Island sustainability workshop, Port Blair, Andaman, India (supported by BOBLME)

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1.4 Progress towards achieving the project components

Component 1. Strategic Action Programme (SAP) Preparation of a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) whose implementation will ensure the long-term institutional and financial sustainability of the BOBLME Programme

1.1. TDA Preparation - Build on the BOBLME’s existing draft Framework Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (FTDA) and complete the Programme’s TDA

PY6: January – December 2014

Activities completed

Activities and outputs Progress and comments

1. Activities completed

n/a

1.2. BOBLME Institutional Arrangements - Identify and establish agreed to permanent institutional arrangements ensuring the long-term management of the BOBLME


Activities completed


1. Activities completed

n/a

1.3. Sustainable Financing Strategy and Recommendations - Identify a possible financing mechanism(s) to fund BOBLME management structure and assist BOBLME countries to mobilize financial resources/mechanisms to implement SAP


RCU engages with partners to confirm agreement on financial arrangements, including co-financing, of the PIF.


1. Partners participate in SAP finalisation meeting in Q4 Completed

2. Focused RCU-partner meetings in support of the development of the PIF Deferred to 2015 when SAP is finalised and sent for country signatures

3. Identification of national cofinancing in support of SAP implementation

Output 1: Agreed co-financing commitments for the PIF

Deferred to 2015 when SAP is finalised and sent for country signatures and the SAP implementation projects are being developed

1.4. SAP Formulation and Adoption - Process for formulation of an agreed Strategic Action Programme (SAP)

PY6: January– December 2014

The draft SAP will be completed and edited and formatted. National Action Plans, prioritized through in-country processes, will be incorporated in the SAP. National SAP consultations will be held,

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guided by the SAP team. Consultations will also be held with SAP implementation partner organisations. A special SAP Team meeting (with partners) will be held in 4th

quarter of 2014 to finalise the text after the first round of consultations. A project concept (project identification form) for SAP implementation will be drafted. The final, reviewed and edited SAP will be printed for further dissemination and ultimately for adoption in Q1 2015.


1. Draft SAP produced and disseminated

Output 1: Draft SAP

Completed

2. Countries provide information on national spending on fisheries and environment management and research in the Bay of Bengal area; and provide SAP signature plans

Output 2: Information on national co-finance and SAP endorsement and signing process

Ongoing - but most countries provided this information at the SAP finalisation meeting in October

3. Country and partner consultations, and peer review

Output 3: Reports on SAP consultations, documenting requested modifications and / or agreement with SAP content

Completed

4. Synthesis of recommendations

Output 4: Report on the synthesis of SAP consultation

Completed

5. SAP Team and partners meet to finalise the text of the SAP

Output 5: Report on SAP Team Meeting and Final SAP

Completed

6. SAP advocacy and adoption process

Output 6: Endorsed SAP

Ongoing - SAP will be sent for country signatures in January 2015

7. Project concept (precursor to Project Identification Form) document development

Output 7: Project concept / draft PIF

Ongoing - a draft PIF was presented to the SAP finalisation; however, we are now developing a BOBLME programme - this will continue into 2015 for submission to the GEF Council meeting in October 2015

8. Economic services valuation study and validation workshop completed

Output 8: Report on ecosystem services values

Completed

9. Review of the shipping sector in the BOBLME

Output 9: Report on the nature and extent of the shipping sector operating in the BOBLME

Completed (January 2015)

Component 2. Coastal/Marine Natural Resources Management and Sustainable Use

Development and implementation of regional and sub-regional collaborative approaches to common/shared issues affecting the health and status of BOBLME

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2.1. Community-based Integrated Coastal Management (stocktaking) - Stock-taking/lesson learning of information and experience for promotion of community-based, fisheries and habitat management; co-management; and alternative livelihoods among fisher communities. in the region


The objectives for this subcomponent are met through the integration of ICM pursuits from Subcomponent 2.1 (ICM), SC-2.4 (Critical habitats) and SC-3.2 (MPAs). Some National activities will continue. ICM training will be continued through the AIT-MFF-BOBLME partnership (5 week Postgraduate course); and two additional sub-regional training providers. A stock-taking review of the uptake of ICM best practices will be undertaken.


1. Support to national activities in selected sites:

Thailand - Co management of seagrass Satun Province India - Awareness and education, Pondycherry Maldives - Awareness on bait fisheries management Myanmar - coastal planning and vulnerability assessment Sri Lanka - awareness and capacity development Output 1: Reports on national activities

Thailand - completed Sri Lanka - completed Myanmar - completed vulnerability assessment India - ongoing; in addition, work for developing a Coastal Stewardship centre initiated by Pondy-Can Myanmar - coastal planning - cancelled pending the outcomes of the Q1 2015 gaps and planning meeting in Myanmar Maldives(Baitfish) - cancelled

2. ICM Training courses (3)

Output 2: Report on training undertaken at AIT, including case study reports Output 3: Report on training undertaken in South Asia Output 4: Report on training undertaken in South East Asia

AIT regional training - completed South East Asia training - completed South Asia: NCSCM contract in prep (protracted negotiations)

3. A stock-taking review of the uptake of ICM best practices

Output 5: Report on the uptake of ICM best practices

Ongoing - expected to be completed in Q1 2015.

4. Design, production and dissemination of ICM information material

Output 6: Progress reports on production of national ICM materials

A range of learning materials were produced and disseminated to workshop participants as part of the ICM trainings by AIT, PEMSEA and SAARC. No corporate BOBLME ICM materials per se were produced.

2.2. Improved Policy Harmonization (mainstreaming) - Better understanding of the policy processes and enhanced capacity in the formulation of policy, regional exchange of information on policy and legislation (inputs to SAP)


The Regional Policy Workshop has identified awareness raising on international laws, conventions and agreements as priority regional actions. A capacity development programme on policy information exchange is designed and implemented as a series of seminars / workshops. National activities for policy harmonization are implemented in India. Some policy related topics pertaining to Project work areas of interest (e.g. sharks, hilsa or Indian mackerel fisheries resources, MPAs, EIA, waste management) are addressed under the relevant subcomponents.


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1. Design of 'course' materials on international laws, conventions and agreements

Output 1: Lecture and information materials

Completed

2. Capacity development on international laws, conventions and agreements

Output 2: Progress Reports on training conducted

Completed

3. Review on fisheries legislation in Myanmar Output 3: Report on fisheries legislation in Myanmar

Ongoing - expected to be completed in Q1 2015

4. Review of the impacts of IUU fishing Output 4: Report on the impacts of IUU fishing

Ongoing - work expected to resume in February 2015, after the Global IUU methods planning workshop

5. Support to national activities in selected sites: India - State level / National Policy workshops Output 5: Report on policy harmonization workshops in India

Completed - FRI Andaman Island sustainability workshop held in Port Blair, Andaman Islands

2.3. Collaborative Regional Fishery Assessments and Management Plans - Development of regional and sub-regional management plans and harmonization of data collection and standardization to promote collaborative fisheries management approaches

Fisheries Statistics

Training and national activities to improve fisheries statistics collection and reporting. Fisheries Statistics Working Group meets to review country activities and validate catch statistics. Conduct training in Myanmar and three other BOBLME countries to build capacity for monitoring and evaluation and ultimately obtain baseline socio-economic information.

Hilsa

Stock assessment updated and working group meeting held. National activities - targeted research for the improvement of data and knowledge on stock status implemented (e.g. life history parameters, stock structure, genetics, morphometrics, interaction of different fisheries sub-sectors, critical habitats for life-history stages) through country institutions.

Indian mackerel

Indian mackerel genetics working group meets to finalise the regional work on stock structure. Training on (data poor) stock assessment implemented. National activities - targeted research for the improvement of data and knowledge on stock status implemented in particular on genetics (but also life history parameters, stock structure, morphometrics, interaction of different fisheries sub-sectors, critical habitats for life-history stages) through country institutions.

Sharks

Studies are undertaken to address knowledge gaps (taxonomy, catches, life cycle and reproduction information, information from small-scale fisheries, monitoring of effectiveness of conservation measures, and alternative livelihoods). Work is undertaken in support of strengthening NPOA's and a regional synthesis to produce a framework for a Regional Plan of Action.

Ecosystem

Disseminate the results of the marine ecosystem survey in Myanmar in 2013. A workshop of modelling experts will technically review the results of the ecosim/ecopath ecosystem model developed for the BOBLME.

Fisheries management

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Provide a training workshop on estimating fishing capacity. Hold the second Regional Fisheries Management Advisory Committee (RFMAC) meeting and update the management advisories for hilsa and Indian mackerel and sharks - this will also include EAFM plan development. Enhancing capacities of fishing communities to contribute to resource management in five countries. Roll out the EAFM training course (3 trainings).



Fisheries statistics 1. Support to national activities to improve data collection and harmonize fisheries

statistics:

Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Myanmar Output 1: Completion Reports

Indonesia - data strengthening project in two BOBLME provinces completed Sri Lanka - Support to the PELAGOS database completed Myanmar- review of fisheries data collection systems completed

2. Fisheries Statistics Working Group held

Output 2: Report on the Fisheries Statistics WG

Working group meeting deferred to 2015

3. Comparisons of catch data derived from national sources and catch reconstructions

Output 3: Report on catch statistics for the Bay of Bengal fisheries

Consultant not yet contracted due to his limited availability - discussions ongoing

4. Socio-economic monitoring trainings conducted

Output 4: Report on trainings conducted

FFI - Myanmar completed IMM - India and Bangladesh completed, Sri Lanka scheduled for March 2015

Hilsa 5. National activities on hilsa

Output 5: Completion reports

Myanmar - completed (reviewing final report) Bangladesh - completed India - final report imminent Myanmar - ongoing (WorldFish)

6. Hilsa Assessment Working Group meeting

Output 6: Meeting Report and updated stock status advisory

Completed, stock status report updated

Indian mackerel 7. National activities on Indian mackerel


Ongoing in BGD, IND, INS, MAL, SRL, THA but all will finish in time for a February 2015 meeting of the Indian mackerel WG Indian mackerel biology in INS - delayed due to administrative problems - working to get it back on track.

8. Stock Assessment Training

Output 8: Report on Stock Assessment Training

Completed - BOBLME supported the IOTC working party on neritic tunas as it was exploring techniques to assess data poor species , including small pelagics

9. Indian mackerel Working Group meeting on genetics

Output 9: Meeting Report

Completed (February 2015)

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Sharks 10. Countries undertake national activities on sharks in support of their NPOAs


BGD, INS, MAL, MDV, SRL - completed THA - almost completed - 2 of 3 outputs delivered, waiting for draft NPOA - promised Q1 2015 IND - BOBP-IGO final report overdue Myanmar sharks (FFI) ongoing

11. Synthesis of the NPOA's undertaken as the basis of a Bay wide RPOA framework

Output 11: Framework for a RPOA-sharks for the Bay of Bengal

RPOA, advanced but awaiting THA and IND NPOA's

Ecosystem 12. Workshop on the results of the 2013 ecosystem survey in Myanmar

Output 12: Workshop report

Completed (February 2015)

13. Ecosystem modelling workshop held

Output 13: Report on the ecosystem modelling results and findings

Completed

Fisheries management 14. Fishing vessel capacity training conducted

Output 14: Report on training conducted

Completed (12-13 January 2015)

15. Regional Fisheries Management Advisory Committee (RFMAC) meeting held

Output 15: Report on RFMAC Meeting, including updated management advisories and EAFM plans for hilsa, Indian mackerel and sharks

RFMAC will be rescheduled for 2015 so Hilsa WG and Indian mackerel WG results will be available

16. Capacity development for fishing communities

Output 16: Report on activities

Capacity building of fishers on EAFM approach and a labour dialogue completed. Support to the dissemination of SFF guidelines - ongoing y

17. EAFM training course promoted through translations, and support to a regional coordinating body

Output 17: Translated course materials Output 18: Coordination unit functioning

Ongoing - THA translation under discussion with SEAFDEC; INS translation first draft; MYA translation under discussion with FFI and Mawlamyaing University)

18. Three EAFM training courses conducted

Output 19: Reports on training conducted

Completed INS workshops completed South Asia training and TOT (IND/SRL/BGD/MDV with BOBP-IGO) completed. Bangladesh Training completed

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In addition - LOA signed with SEAFDEC to carry out one training and TOT in Q1 2015 and negotiations with Wayamba Uni and NARA to hold a training in Sri Lanka in Q1 2015 underway

2.4. Collaborative Critical Habitat Management - Promote multi-national approaches to manage and address issues affecting transboundary coastal/marine eco-systems within the broader BOBLME region


Mergui/Myeik Archipelago

Implement a work programme on resources, habitat and socio-economic monitoring and assessment, capacity development and enhancing management.

Gulf of Mannar:

Promote and support measures leading to improved conservation of resources and transboundary management.

Ecologically or biologically significant areas:

An initial investigation to identify ecologically or biologically significant areas (EBSAs) in the BOBLME.


Mergui/Myeik Archipelago: 1. Undertake programmes activities on resources, habitat and socio-economic

monitoring and assessment, capacity development and enhancing management

Output 1: Reports on Myeik Archipelago programme of work

Ongoing - IUCN contract extended to March 2015

2. Conduct seagrass conservation and monitoring training

Output 2: Report on training

Myanmar phase I Completed - and a second phase (new contract) will be completed in February 2015

Gulf of Mannar:

3. Support to sub-regional initiatives relating to strengthening conservation of resources and transboundary management

Output 3: Reports on activities

Ongoing - Sea cucumber contract to be extended into 2015 Sea horse contract to be extended into 2015

Ecologically or biologically significant areas: 4. An initial investigation to identify ecologically or biologically significant areas (EBSAs)

in the BOBLME

Output 4: Reports on-potential EBSAs in the Bay of Bengal

Completed - report to be tables at CBD EBSA meeting in March 2015

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Component 3. Improved Understanding and Predictability of the BOBLME Environment Share information with other regional and global environmental monitoring programmes for improved understanding of the BOBLME ecological functions and processes

3.1. Improved Understanding of Large-scale Processes and Dynamics affecting the BOBLME - Improved understanding of large-scale oceanographic and ecological processes controlling BOBLME living resources


BOBLME supports the SIBER (Sustained Indian Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research) Programme of work including generation of data, information and knowledge. Support to capacity development to enable BOBLME countries to participate actively in SIBER, IOGOOS, and associated projects (monsoon forecasting, primary productivity, hypoxic zones, climate change etc.). Support to the generation of (physical) environment and ecosystem information for stock assessment and fisheries management advice through implementation of studies on effects of climate change on fisheries resources (especially hilsa and Indian mackerel), monsoon onset, and Indian Ocean Dipole, building on information from partners (e.g. NOAA, WorldFish, PACFA). Participate in training events conducted by SEAGOOS and IOGOOS and partners to build capacity in oceanography, including opportunities for instrumentation and seaboard training, i f possible. Characterisation of the BOBLME to enable broad understanding for transboundary issues and to provide systematic planning information for local managers, industry and other stakeholders. Produce a reader friendly publication describing the major features of the BOBLME.


1. Support to initiatives relating to understanding large-scale processes and training


Completed MOMSEI and support to INCOIS International Training Course on 'Ocean Colour Remote Sensing - Data, Processing and Applications'

2. Examine the structure and functioning of the BOBLME

Output 2: BOBLME characterisation Report

Completed - with an additional sub-regional WS held in India

3. Production of the BOBLME overview publication

Output 3: BOBLME overview

Ongoing - a contract to complete the publication will to start in February 2015

3.2. Marine Protected Areas in the Conservation of Regional Fish Stocks - Consensus on approaches to the establishment and management of marine protected areas and fish refugia for sustainable fish management and biodiversity conservation objectives


MPA activities implemented (learning, best practices) and information material on MPAs produced. BOBLME maintains its MPA node. BOBLME MPA Working Group meets.


1. National activities on MPAs


MAL (coral reef monitoring) - completed MDV (grouper) - completed (report awaited) SRL (Bar Reef) - LOA extended, report imminent BGD (MPA) - ongoing INS (MPA) ongoing

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2. MPA data portal / internet node maintained

Output 2: Functioning MPA node

Completed

3. MPA brochure and policy advisories produced and disseminated

Output 3: MPA brochure, and 8 country policy advisories produced

Five brochures completed; 3 to be finalised by Steve Needham

4. Project concept (precursor to Project Identification Form) document development

Output 4: Project concept / draft PIF for transboundary MPA project

Underway - to be included in the SAP Implementation PDF

5. BOBLME MPA Working Group meeting held

Output 5: Report on MPA working group meeting

Deferred to 2015 - too many meetings in Q4 already and the MPA brochures need to be finished before the meeting

3.3. Improved Regional Collaboration - Establishment of effective partnerships with other regional and global environmental assessment and monitoring programmes

The RCU has an ongoing commitment of engagement with a wide range of regional bodies and organisations that are working in the BOB area. New partners will be engaged as appropriate. BOBLME will continue to engage with other LME and International Waters Projects through IW Learn activities. Support partner initiatives related to fisheries management and biodiversity conservation.



1. Ongoing collaborations relevant to the Project


During 2014 BOBLME partnered with the following: IGBP, NIVA, FFI, IOTC, WorldFish, Delta Alliance; ICSF, SEADFEC, CSIRO, BOBP-IGO, NIO, University of Chittagong, University of Wayamba, USM, IMA International, IMM, PEMSEA, IUCN, MRAG, CMFRI,

2. Support partner initiatives related to fisheries management and biodiversity conservation


Keynote presentations made at the 3rd Global LME conference (Rudi); 10th IFAF India (CO'B); NARA research planning conference (CO'B); MECOS2 India (Rudi). RC participated in SSF Conference and CFI planning meeting. Participated in the SSF meeting India; LME CC; the CITES sharks workshop; and Wayamba International conference. Support to the REBYC EAFM Training Event; PM participated in the SSF meeting India; RC attended COFI, contributed to a GEF planning meeting for the Coastal Fisheries Initiative and held a PTF meeting; RC participated in SIDA Human rights Workshop; BOBLME support to a Regional Learning meeting for projects and initiatives related to fisheries and the environment in South and South East Asia. IOTC Neritic Tuna Working Party; BOBP-IGO CCRF training and WESTPAC MOMSEI training; CTA participated in APFIC meeting; support to the IOTC Neritic Tuna Working Party; BOBLME (NC's) participation in APFIC RCFM in prep

Component 4. Maintenance of Ecosystem Health and Management of Pollution

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Development of agreed set of environmental indicators to measure the health of the BOBLME regional collaborative approach to identifying/ remediating important coastal water pollution issues

4.1. Establishment of an Effective Ecosystem Indicator Framework - Agreed ecosystem indicator framework designed to measure progress toward sustaining BOBLME


A second level assessment collaboration with the Transboundary Waters Assessment Project pilot assessment of ecosystem indicators (including nutrient pollution and governance) in the Bay of Bengal. A review will be undertaken to synthesise and recommend the ecosystem health indicators suitable for the SAP. Given the linkages between water systems (aquifers, lakes, rivers, LME's and open oceans), conduct a desk top review to explore the physical, ecological and governance connectivity of the Bay of Bengal and its watershed.


1. Assessment of governance indicators Output 1: Report on the assessment

Completed

2. Synthesis of ecosystem indicators Output 2: Report on the synthesis

Dropped

3. Desk top review on the physical, ecological and governance connectivity of the Bay of Bengal and its water shed water system connectivity Output 3: Report on the water system connectivity

Dropped

4.2. Coastal Pollution Loading and Water Quality Criteria - Development of a regional collaborative approach to identifying important coastal water pollution issues and to develop remedial strategies


Collaboration with UNEP-GPA is continued. Sub-regional nutrient pollution management (in the western Bay of Bengal) addressed in collaboration with SACEP through a scoping study and workshop. National activities in Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.


1. Collaborative activities is support of GPA.


Completed

2. Implement programme of work on sub-regional nutrient pollution management in the western Bay of Bengal

Output 2: Completion report

Completed

1. Capacity development in water quality monitoring in Myanmar


Completed

4. National activities in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Output 4: Completion reports

BGD - pollution monitoring using artificial mussel completed (January 2015) SRL ongoing In addition - NIO completed oil spill training for MAL scientists .

Component 5. Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Knowledge Management Establishment of cost effective management, of project operations, M&E, and information dissemination capacity

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5.1. Establishment of the RCU - Establish a Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) for coordination of BOBLME supported activities leading to the finalization of the Strategic Action Programme

PY6: January– December 2014

Effective operation of Regional Coordination Unit maintained.


1. Effective and efficient RCU operations supported

5.2. Monitoring and Evaluation System - Establish a cost-effective monitoring and evaluation system in conformity with existing FAO and World Bank (GEF) policies and procedures


Monitoring reports are completed in a timely manner. A Project Steering Committee Meeting is prepared and held in Qtr 1, 2014 and 2015.


1. The Quarterly Progress Reports submitted

Output 1: Quarterly Progress Reports (Oct-Dec 2013, Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec 2014, Jan-Mar 2015)

Completed

2. The (six monthly) Project Progress Reports submitted

Output 2: Semi-annual PPR (Jul-Dec 2013, Jan-Jun 2014 and Jul-Dec 2014)

Completed

3. The Project Implementation Review Report (July 2013-Jun 2014) submitted

Output 3: Project Implementation Review Report (Jul 2013-Jun 2014)

Completed

4. Annual Work Plan Development meeting held (Q1 2014)

Output 4: Report on Annual WP Development meeting - including draft work plan

Completed

5. 5th PSC meeting held (2014)

Output 5: Final PSC-V Report

Completed

6. 6th PSC meeting held (2015)

Output 6: Final PSC-VI Report

2015

7. National Task Force in each country meets to endorse the national activities

Output 7: Report on NTF meeting held

National consultation meetings on the SAP have likely replaced this activity

8. Terminal Evaluation undertaken

Output 8: Terminal evaluation report

Discussions with OEED held in Rome - extension to December 2015 approved in principle

5.3. Project Information Dissemination System - Disseminate information to regional and global stakeholders relevant to the BOBLME and the BOBLME Programme

Ongoing maintenance and (limited) development of the BOBLME website. BOBLME newsletter published. National communication hubs supported. Design, production and distribution of BOBLME promotion materials. Capacity development provided on “communicating science” (training of trainers) – 2 workshops, plus other national activities on a case by case basis. Awareness activities

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implemented based on the BOBLME Project outputs.



1. Newsletter compilation and preparation

Output 1: Newsletter published – ca. October 2014 and March 2015

Completed

2. Website management

Output 2: Website containing up-to-date information and documents – Ongoing

Completed

3. National trainings on science writing and presentation

Output 3: Reports on national training events

Completed

4. National communications activities supported

Output 4: Reports and products from national communication activities

5. Outreach material produced as needed

Output 5: Outreach materials produced - ongoing

Completed

Documents

Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project Draft Annual ... annual... · Large Marine Ecosystem Project Draft Annual Report on the ... and content of the Strategic Action ... coastal