Download Fishbytes May09 - 1 Project Summaries

ACTIVE AND EXPECTED ACTIVE
1-
Cyclone Affected Aquaculture Rehabilitation Project II (CAARP II), funded by USAID, A
Brooks, [ACTIVE] $6.0M
Scientists involved with this project are working to rehabilitate the livelihoods of 80,000 cyclone Sidr
affected households and introduce strategies to cope with climate change effects. Empowering the
poor by helping them to exploit market opportunities and improve marketing strategies would be a
major focus of the effort. Six Sidr affected districts would be included in efforts to boost productive
and marketing capacity. Specifically, researchers would work to build resilience and improve
economic opportunities through use of Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture. Researchers would also
suggest means to improve market chain linkages, improve input supplies, embed services into
products and increase quality as a basis to demand better prices. Additionally, efforts would be
made to develop a better approach to disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation.
Partners would include International Development
Enterprises and 15 local non-governmental
organizations.
2- Integrated Protected Area Co-Management (IPAC), funded by USAID, G, Khan, [ACTIVE]
$1.2M
Habitat destruction, pollution, introduced species, and overfishing with destructive gear are causing
losses in faunal and floral biodiversity in Bangladesh. The WorldFish Center team of researchers
working on this project would share expertise in Community Based Fisheries Management.
Researchers would build on current understanding of governance structures for co-management to
support monitoring, research, training, management and capacity building. They would provide
guidance on stewardship of aquatic natural resources, advise on areas of closure for fisheries during
lean seasons, enhance and nurture participatory processes, implement adaptive learning programs,
and advise on how best to ensure women are empowered to become active in resource
management, as well as work to prepare communities for climate change. Researchers would also
conduct specific studies to assess status of ecosystem functions, analyze fish population dynamics,
livelihood options and fish habitats.
3- Poverty Alleviation, Mangrove Conservation and Climate Change; Carbon Offsets as
Payments for Mangrove Ecosystem Services in Solomon Islands, funded by AUSAID, A
Schwarz, [ACTIVE] $302K
Mangroves function as critical global sinks for carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. The
conservation of mangroves plays an important role in climate change mitigation and adaptation in
developing countries. Researchers working on this proposed project would test the idea of trading
voluntary carbon credit offsets on Solomon Islands mangroves carbon sequestration. Researchers
would train Solomon Island researchers on the issues and opportunities associated with the trade in
carbon credits, quantify carbon sequestration by mangroves, and determine an appropriate
mechanism in partnership with Solomon Island communities for reimbursement of revenues
achieved by sale of yearly offsets, among other activities. The project would be the first mangrove
offset project for the Solomon Islands and the Indo-Pacific. Partners would likely include the
Solomon Island Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Solomon Island Ministry of Forestry,
World Wildlife Fund, and The Nature Conservancy.
4- Community-Based Fisheries Management in Post-Tsunami Aceh, The Force of Nature Aid
Foundation, A Tewfik (Ph 1 completed & 2) $229K
The tsunami of 26 December 2004 killed more than 300,000 people, destroying large numbers of
boats, fishing gear, ponds, and infrastructure that supports fishers and fishing livelihoods. Based in
Aceh Jaya and Aceh Barat in Indonesia, project researchers will aim to provide a basis for long-term
sustainable fisheries management through community based approaches. Specifically, researchers
involved with the proposed project will address resource depletion and over exploitation of fisheries
through community capacity building, participatory identification and design of community based
fisheries management options, and adoption and testing of these options in three communities.
Researchers will work to create processes that strengthen the link between communities and local
governments and reduce conflict. Coastal fisheries, already under threat from over fishing and
depletion before the tsunami, are vulnerable to inappropriate policies. WorldFish Center
researchers and partners are working to encourage communities to address long-term
resource questions and preserve intergenerational options for fishing and fishing livelihoods with a
co-management approach. Partners include the Syiah Kuala University, the Indonesian Ministry of
Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Dinas Perikanan and the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization
5- Solomon Islands -Fisheries Livelihoods Recovery Project, NZAID, A Schwarz, [ACTIVE] $100K
The goal of this project is to enable a fishing community affected by the April 2007 earthquake and
tsunami to re-establish its livelihood. Prior to the earthquake at least two navigable channels existed
through the nearby Rarumana reef that allowed the local community in the Solomon Islands to exit a
lagoon on its periphery. Due to uplift, the channels are now blocked and the lagoon may not be
achieving enough tidal flushing to remain healthy. Based on the document, “Postearthquake/Tsunami Fisheries Livelihoods Recovery Program,” prepared for NZAID, the WorldFish
Center will engage in a short-term, post-disaster fisheries livelihood recovery project that aims to
replace canoes, advise on excavations of a raised and now dead reef to allow access to the ocean,
assess threats to the now closed lagoon, and arrange for a Solomon Island geologist or engineer to
visit the communities near the Rarumana reef to provide preliminary advice on the possibility of
constructing channels through the uplifted reef.
6- Assessing Needs and Management Options for Improved Resilience of Fisheries-Dependent
Communities in the EarthQuake/Tsunami Impacted Western Solomon Islands, The Force of
Nature Foundation, A Tewfik, [ACTIVE] $78K
90 percent of the rural populations of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands are coastalbased and heavily dependent on small-scale fisheries, to work with the communities in better
understanding the factors that counter community resilience to external shocks which lie beyond the
fisheries sector such as tsunamis and earthquakes. The WorldFish Center has assumed a lead role in
assessing the damage done to fisheries and the resulting needs and priorities in the province after an
earthquake struck the western Pacific in late 2007. Drawing from the lessons learned from the
experience, this project aims to reduce community vulnerability through community-level
management of marine resources, capacity building and consideration of suitable livelihood
opportunities. Outputs such as reports on community needs, resource status, recovery rate
response to the disaster, and suitability of management options for marine resources
7- Post-Disaster Fisheries and Marine Conservation Recovery Activities in the Western Province,
Solomon Islands, Packard Foundation, A Schwarz, [ACTIVE] $77K
The WorldFish Center and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) are partnering on a proposal to aid
in the recovery of the Western and Choiseul Provinces of the Solomon Islands after the 2 April 2007
earthquake and tsunami. Seismic activities caused significant damage to villages and large areas of
reef. The two organizations have completed rapid marine assessments and surveys of reefs and
communities. The proposed rehabilitation project involves coral restoration activities conducted by
the WWF, mangrove restoration activities conducted by the WorldFish Center and development and
deployment of fish aggregation devices by the WorldFish Center. This proposal has the dual goals of
marine conservation and fisheries recovery. Coral reef restoration will occur in an area of high
marine biodiversity, mangroves will be restored to stabilize the coast, to restore habitat for fish, and
to provide food. Deployment of fish aggregating devices will transfer fishing effort away from
diminished inshore reef ecosystems and improve food security in coastal communities. Other
partners would include the Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources
8- Scoping of Natural Resources and Climate Change in South-East Asia with focus on
Agriculture, funded by SIDA, K Suan Pheng, [ACTIVE] $10K
Climate change affects agricultural performance by altering water, land, biodiversity and ecosystem
services. For Southeast Asia, this is of major importance because the majority of the population in
this region lives in lowland areas and areas highly vulnerable to climate change. Water is becoming
increasingly scarce due to overuse by agricultural, industrial and household sectors. Researchers
working on this initiative will explore opportunities for the Swedish International Development
Cooperation Agency to support or initiate regional programs or projects related to food security,
environmental degradation, or other topics related to climate change. Researchers will provide
background information to inform and discuss threats and opportunities related to climate change
and explore possible strategies for mitigation and adaptation, especially as these strategies relate to
aquaculture. Lead is IWMI.
9- Communities of Practice, funded by Development Alternatives, Inc. A Gordon, [ACTIVE] $7K
The WorldFish Center has been awarded a consultancy contract to facilitate building of technical
discussion groups and a community of practice for African inland fisheries. The research product will
include geospatial tools and other Internet-based communication technologies designed to
stimulate discussion on strategies to adapt to climate change among other topics.
10- Governing Small-scale Fisheries for Poverty Reduction funded by CIDA M Badjeck/C Bene,
[AWAITS CONTRACT] $183K
Researchers would work to strengthen poverty reduction and governance reforms in fisheries in
Vietnam, Ghana, and Newfoundland. Leading Canadian scholars and CGIAR Center social scientists
and policy analysts would work together on ways to strengthen the resilience of fisheries systems in
the face of climate change. They would also examine how to integrate gender concern into fisheries
management decision-making. Researchers would study two focus developing countries along with
a comparative case from Newfoundland in an effort to produce an analysis of how wellbeing,
poverty alleviation and livelihood security are incorporated into decisions related to major
management instruments commonly adopted in fisheries governance. Partners would include the
University of Manitoba, Canada, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, Saint Mary’s
University of Canada, Wilfrid Laurier University of Canada, Vancouver Island University of Canada,
and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
11- Building resilience of Community Fisheries in the Tonle Sap Lake: Collective Action and the
Capacity to Manage Resource Competition, funded by CAPRI, B Ratner, [AWAITS CONTRACT]
$150K
Researchers working on this proposed project would aim to strengthen the capacity of a network of
fishing communities on Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake. Specifically, researchers would focus on the
collective capacity of an emerging grassroots network of fishing communities to identify and
articulate threats to livelihoods, negotiate with authorities to represent common interests of fishing
communities, and collaborate with government and private actors to resolve resource conflicts
equitably. The Tonle Sap is a remarkably productive fishery under threat from a variety of causes,
including destructive fishing projects, land use change, over-fishing, dam development and climate
change. Project partners would include the Cambodia Development Resource Institute, the Coalition
of Community Fishers, and the Fisheries Administration of Cambodia.
12- What Futures for Fisheries Production Systems in West Africa? Development of Scenarios for
Adaptation to Climate Change funded by BMZ/GTZ, M Badjeck, [AWAITS CONTRACT] $78K
West African economies are heavily dependent on fisheries that are vulnerable to climate change
and climate variability. Fish exports contribute on average 27.8 percent of total agricultural exports
and account for over 30 percent of average daily animal protein consumption in the West Africa
Region. In the Canary and Guinea Large Marine Ecosystems—including territorial seas of Mauritania,
Senegal and Ghana—uncertainties exist on how future biophysical changes due to climate change
will interact with other stresses, and how people will be able to respond and adapt fisheries
production systems to meet climate change challenges. Researchers working on this project would
seek to identify the key features of fisheries production and drivers of change for systems in West
Africa in an effort to create planning scenarios, particularly focusing on Senegal, Mauritania, and
Ghana. They would also work to identify the impact of climate variability and change on these
systems and likely responses to these stresses. Finally, researchers would provide direct support
system tools for national and regional decision makers, explore alternative adaptation strategies,
and foster knowledge sharing and dialogue across countries and between scientists and
policymakers. The Leibniz-Zentrum fuer Marine Tropenoekologie is the lead partner in this project.
13- Hotspots of Marine Biodiversity in the Southeast Asian Seas: Mapping Current Location and
Climate Change Impacts funded by the Asean Center for Biodiversity, N Bailly [AWAITS
CONTRACT] Euro 30K
Researchers working on this proposed project would help policymakers reach informed decisions by
providing information on the range of possible and/or probable consequences of climate change on
marine biodiversity. Researchers would develop mapping tools that display changes in Southeast
Asian marine biodiversity due to climate change, using a biogeography modeling tool (AquaMaps)
linked to existing information systems. Partners in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia would
work together to create a web interface that policymakers could use easily to visualize the impacts
predicted by models and information provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change. Researchers would produce maps of the current hotspots of Southeast Asian
marine biodiversity, maps of future hotspots for biodiversity given climate change induced changes
in the environment, and a web interface to enable visualization of changes on a regional level.
Partners would include DENR-PAWB of the Philippines, the Philippine National Museum, the Center
for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies of Indonesia, Bogor Agricultural University, the Malaysian
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Fisheries Research Center. Additional
collaboration would take place among UP-MSI, OBIS, WoRMS, and theFishBase Consortium, among
others.
14- Climate Change's Impact on Interdependence on Animal, Aquatic, Microbial, Forest, and Crop
Genetic Resources funded by the System-wide Genetic Resources Program, M Beveridge
[AWAITS CONTRACT] $5K
Dr. Malcolm Beveridge has been invited to provide inputs into a paper on genetic resources for food
and agriculture being organized by Bioversity International. Dr. Beveridge will examine evidence of
increasing international interdependence in regard to aquatic genetic resources, specifically looking
into the idea that countries will increasingly need genetic resources that originate or are found in
other countries for the purpose of research, training or direct use in agriculture or food producing
systems.
15- Enhancing the Resilience of Lake Chilwa Basin Communities to Climate Change K Snyder
funded by Norway, [AWAITS CONTRACT] $29,500
The WorldFish Center has been awarded a contract to develop a project that will help meet the
challenges of climate change in the Lake Chilwa Basin in Malawi. Researchers will conduct
participatory rural appraisals, engage in project design using thematic working groups and prepare
proposals for presentation in a workshop. Researchers will solicit the views of community
stakeholders, including farmers, fishers, fish traders and others. They will assess stakeholders’
natural resource and livelihood priorities and the constraints and opportunities stakeholders face in
adapting to climate change. Partners include LEAD-SA, the Forestry Research Institute of Malawi/the
Department of Forestry, and the National Herbarium and Botanical Gardens.
16- Fisheries Rehabilitation in Tsunami-Affected Indonesia: Community Needs Assessment and
Resource Status, L Garces, [completed] $116K
Indonesian coastal communities affected by the 26 December tsunami were ignificantly dependent
upon fish for livelihoods and income. Some 16 percent of the coastal population in Aceh was directly
employed in the fisheries sector. As a result of the tsunami, infrastructure was destroyed and a large
percent of fishers were injured or killed. The project proposal aims to ensure that the Indonesian
strategy for rehabilitation and restoration of capture strategies is founded upon community needs
and perspectives and is sustainable in regard to the fisheries resource. Outputs will include an
assessment of community needs, livelihood strategies, and perceptions, an evaluation of state
fisheries resources and fisheries prior to the tsunami, and action plans at the district, province, and
national level. The project will lead to increased linkages between communities and government,
provide sound data on resources, and use participatory assessments to help restore the beleaguered
coastal communities of Aceh. Partners include the United Nations, Food and Agriculture
Organization, District and Provincial government, Indonesia's Agency for Marine Affairs and
Fisheries Research, and the University Syiah Kuala of Banda Aceh and the Indonesian Ministry of
Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF).
17- Rehabilitation of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Tsunami-affected Coastal Communities in Aceh
Province, USAID, L Garces, [completed] $100K
WorldFish Center researchers reported on coastal community needs, livelihood strategies, and
available resources for rehabilitation in Aceh in order to develop management options in support of
rehabilitation of fisheries. Key outputs will include a synthesis of findings, identification of technical
and management options in support of rehabilitation of fisheries and aquaculture, and adoption and
testing of management options in at least three communities using participatory approaches.
Partners include the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia, and the Bureau for
Reconstruction and Rehabilitation in Aceh- Nias.
SUBMITTED
18- Climate Change Adaptation in the Lower Mekong Basin [Concept], B Ratner, 6.0M
More than 56 million people from four Southeast Asian countries inhabit the Lower Mekong Basin
and are primarily dependent on its natural resources, including an annual fish catch of more than 2.6
million tons. Climate change is directly influencing water resources that will affect agriculture,
fisheries and the livelihoods of rural communities in the Lower Mekong Basin. More variance in
precipitation, increases in intensity and frequency of weather events and changes in temperature will
likely lead to water stress, flooding and changes in vegetation. These disruptions would impact agroand aquatic ecosystems and could drastically change current economic patterns and
livelihoods. This proposal made in partnership with the International Water Management Institute
aims to address these issues in a study focused on the uplands of Lao PDR, rain-fed areas in Thailand,
the Tonle Sap Basin of Cambodia, and the delta regions of Cambodia and Vietnam. The research
would involve selecting and developing tools for assessing the impact of climate change and water
resource development on food processing, sea levels, infrastructure, hydrological regimes,
agriculture and fisheries. Researchers would also examine means and methods to adapt to climate
change. The research results would be analyzed for policy implications and widely disseminated.
Partners and collaborators would include the International Water Management Institute, the Asian
19- Addressing Climate Change by Building Social and Ecological Resilience in the Lake Chilwa
Basin submitted to Norway, K Snyder $5.0M
According to recent United Nations climate change profiles, Malawi is predicted to experience higher
temperatures and precipitation falling in a shorter period with heavier rainfall. Malawi has already
experienced a variety of dry spells, droughts, intense rainfalls, riverine floods and flash floods.
Researchers working on this project would aim to secure the livelihoods of some 1.5 million people
and enhance the resilience of the natural resource base in the Lake Chilwa Basin. In order to
maintain food security, economic and social benefits of agriculture and natural resources in the face
of known climate variability and anticipated climate change, researchers would work to develop and
implement basin-wide climate change adaptation strategies that will enhance the resilience of
communities. They would work to strengthen local and district institutions to better manage natural
resources and build resilience to climate change. They would facilitate and help build cross-basin and
cross-sectoral natural resources management and planning policy for climate change throughout the
basin. Researchers would also work to improve household and enterprise capacity to adapt, and
finally, they would work to mitigate the effects of climate change through improved forest
management and governance. The Malawi Government recently approved the National Adaptation
Programme of Action for climate change. The efforts of the WorldFish Center and partners would be
complimentary to the efforts of the national government. Partners would include Leadership for
Environment and Development (LEAD), the Forestry Research Institute of Malawi and the National
Herbarium and Botanical Gardens of Malawi.
20- Enhancing IAA Benefits Through Improved Water and Land Use Management and
Governance Under Drought-Prone Conditions in Southern Africa submitted to BMZ/GTZ, K
Suan Pheng Euro 1.2M
Researchers working on this proposed project would contribute to improving food security and well
being of sub-Saharan rural households trapped in cycles of poverty and vulnerability that are
exacerbated by climate change. They would help develop practices that integrate aquaculture into
diversified food production systems and enhance management of water use for aquaculture as well
as improve small-scale irrigation. Participants would conduct a scientific assessment of the potential
for sustaining high water productivity, improving capacity for design, developing and implementing
approaches for enhancing water use, and providing guidance for water use by integrating
aquaculture and small scale irrigation in the Chinyanja Triangle in the lower Zambezi River basin. The
basin encompasses the Southern and Central Provinces of Malawi, the Eastern Province of Zambia
and the Tete Province of Mozambique. Partners include Chancellor College of Malawi, Bunda
College University of Malawi, the International Water Management Institute, the Malawi
Department of Irrigation, the Malawi Department of Fisheries and the Universitaet Osnabruck.
21- Enhancing Gender-Equitable Outcomes of Migration in Fishing Communities in Sri Lanka
submitted to World Bank , N Weeratunge, $200K
Women and men in fishing communities in Sri Lanka respond to reduced opportunities in fisheriesbased livelihoods with migration. Researchers working on this proposed project would aim to
provide an analysis of the gendered social and economic impacts of seasonal and circular migration
in fishing communities in Sri Lanka. They would address gaps in knowledge in regard to migration,
particularly the differences between the genders in migration experiences and the role of
remittances. They would also assess the well being of fishing households and the socio-cultural
effects of migration. Results would be shared with policymakers, development practitioners and civil
society organizations through GIS generated scenarios, policy advice to promote the rights of grants,
suggested practices to enhance gender sensitivity in development projects, and the development of
migrant support centers. Partners include the Centre for Poverty Analysis of Sri Lanka, the Overseas
Development Group of the United Kingdom, the School of International Development of the United
Kingdom, and the UK’s University of East Anglia.