Project Components

The coastal and marine environments of the ASEAN Member States (AMS) are ecologically linked to each other in areas beyond their national borders. As the ecosystems are interconnected, marine species often rely on multiple habitats throughout their life cycles. This connectivity is vital for maintaining genetic diversity and resilience, helping marine populations withstand environmental changes and human impacts. 

As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, overfishing, and habitat destruction, the need for effective marine conservation strategies has never been more urgent. One key strategy to enhance these ecological connections is to establish a comprehensive system of area-based management tools, particularly through extensive and well-managed networks of marine protected areas (MPAs). 

ASEAN ENMAPS aims to establish and enhance MPAs at the local level, starting with its 11 pilot sites in the 4 Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. These efforts will subsequently expand to more MPAs in order to develop networks of MPAs, and ultimately create inter-connected networks of MPAs in the ASEAN region.

Ecological connectivity refers to the continuous movement of species and flow of natural processes that are essential for sustaining life on Earth.
It is seamless that crosses national boundaries and encompasses various ecosystems. 

 

Marine ecological connectivity is crucial for the health of marine ecosystems as it enables the distribution of larvae and genetic materials and replenishes organisms and nutrients in coastal and marine environments. 

Component 1

Synthesise the marine, fisheries, and connectivity science behind the identified MPAs and determine the appropriate configurations of MPA networks in the four LMEs

Component 1 Indicative Activities

Results
  • Regional analysis of transboundary diagnostic analyses, strategic action programmes, and national action programmes for the target LMEs 
  • Regional stakeholder workshops for knowledge sharing of the results of analysis
  • Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) and vulnerability assessment studies
  • Fish resources connectivity modelling with hydrodynamic studies, fish larva surveys, ecological connectivity studies, and other scientific studies at the sites
  • Review of potential governance mechanisms and financial sustainability for management of MPA networks
  • Conceptual designs for the proposed MPA networks and dissemination of proposed concepts through stakeholder workshops
  • Define biological and spatial boundaries of MPA networks based on results of earlier studies
  • Confirmed ecological, socio-economic, and institutional connectivity in four sub-regions within target LMEs
  • Nine MPA networks designed and endorsed

Component 2

Pursue proper governance of MPAs and MPA networks using appropriately designed interventions and investments that contribute to improving coastal and marine health and fisheries in the LMEs in terms of scale, magnitude, types of inputs, and partnerships and governance

Component 2 Indicative Activities

Results
  • Regional-level capacity development workshops on MPA management planning and exchanging of best practices
  • Training to national teams on UNDP Social and Environmental Standards, Social and Environmental Screening Procedure, etc.
  • Site-level consultation meetings and field mission to develop, enhance, and integrate management plans
  • Site-level resource inventories and threat mapping, with results to serve as inputs to MPA management plans
  • Multi-stakeholder consultation meetings to develop/update MPA business and management plans; update/develop and initiate implementation of MPA business and management plans
  • National-level capacity development: ICM and MSP development and implementation 
  • Site-level capacity development
  1. Upgrade site equipment for monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) and SMART Patrol
  2. Rollout of community MCS; communication, education, and public awareness (CEPA) plans, Marine SMART Patrol
  3. MPA staff training on ICT for MPA management, law and enforcement, resource management, M&E and database management
  4. Establish management boards in the pilot sites
  5. Site-level ecosystem restoration and conservation activities initiatives 
  6. Indigenous Peoples traditional knowledge integration into MPA plans
  • Capacity building on finance and investment
  • Webinars/workshops in the three countries on blue carbon approaches, how to conduct feasibility studies, etc.
  • Feasibility studies, identification of priority areas for investments, and implementation plans on potential investments in pilot MPAs
  • Partnership agreements for identified MPA investment projects
  • Local community trainings on market and business analysis for participatory community conservation enterprises, gender analysis, livelihood training programmes
  • MPA action plans 
  • Guidelines and zoning plans for coastal areas and small island
  • Consultations between coastal community and local government to implement zoning plans
  • National-level policy development to address conflicting national laws, PA regulations, etc. 
  • Total of 1,750 people (of whom 50% are women) actively involved in community monitoring, control, and surveillance; reducing the threat of IUU and destructive fishing
  • Three Blue Economy investment projects under implementation at demonstration scale

Component 3

Document, package, and disseminate knowledge products developed in the course of project implementation to ensure that the best practices are shared with relevant stakeholders

Component 3 Indicative Activities

Results
  • Training modules and programmes and capacity building workshops based on the results of baseline capacity development scorecard assessments 
  • Partnerships with organisations with similar and complementary activities
  • Internship and/or secondment opportunities with ACB, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), and other regional bodies
  • Mentoring activities on gender equality and women’s empowerment in marine science
  • Participation in capacity-building ASEAN conferences and programmes
  • Development and implementation of communications and knowledge management strategy and action plan
  • Development of project website 
  • Production and dissemination of gender-sensitive communication materials
  • Publication of scientific articles based on data collected and analysed by the project and other project-related outputs
  • Development and dissemination of knowledge products from experiences and lessons learned through learning events
  • Develop and initiate project sustainability plan
  • Convene national steering committee meetings, annual stakeholder workshops
  • Participation in GEF IW Conferences
  • Convening of GEF milestone requirements (inception workshop, project review and planning workshops, PSC meetings) and submission of GEF M&E requirements (progress reports, midterm report, work and budget plan)
  • Improved institutional capacities on ICM 
  • Knowledge products and Experience Notes disseminated
  • 1,000 visits to knowledge sharing spaces
  • Participation in GEF IW Conference