TropicalCoast 4th new indd

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Tropical Coasts

charismatic and migratory 

species; and

3.  The organization of a work 

program for the subcommittees 

(Boxes 1-3).

Challenges and 

opportunities in 

transboundary governance 

building   

In view of the many divisive issues that 

normally characterize transboundary 

semi-enclosed seas where national 

boundaries overlap and resources 

are shared, governance building in 

Sulu-Sulawesi Seas is challenging. 

The formation of the Tri-national 

Committee for SSME in the midst of 

complex political, social, cultural and 

economic issues mirrors the emphasis 

that the Governments of Malaysia, 

Indonesia, and the Philippines place 

on oneness: one Vision, one Plan, 

common set of resources, common 

fate, and joint management (Miclat, 

2004).

Certain political activities internal 

to the countries may slow down 

governance building. For example, 

the 2004 election in Indonesia 

warranted special attention of the 

government and the citizenry since 

it was the fi rst direct presidential 

election in the country. In the same 

year, the Malaysian Government had 

a reorganization, which included 

dividing the responsibilities of the 

Ministry of Science, Technology and 

Environment (MOSTE) between two 

agencies, namely the Ministry of 

Science, Technology and Innovation, 

and the Ministry of Natural Resources 

and Environment. MOSTE had been a 

major stakeholder in the development 

of the SSME on behalf of the 

Government of Malaysia. 

Similarly, in 2004, presidential, 

legislative and local elections were 

held in the Philippines. 

Box 3.  Subcommittee on Sustainable Fisheries.

Objective 1: Promote regeneration, rehabilitation and restoration of  degraded coastal 

wetlands  including abandoned shrimp farms, degraded coastal  wetlands, degraded 

forest reserves and other coastal areas. 

Objective 2: Determine the status and issues of IUU fi shing along the borders of SSME 

and implement joint and parallel monitoring, controlling and surveillance to eff ectively 

address cross-border IUU fi shing.

Objective 3: Develop and implement a common communication strategy to 

increase public awareness on the issues and threats to sustainable fi sheries and its 

implementation, aquaculture, and living aquatic resources exploitation and trade.

Objective 4: Develop joint pilot projects in establishing experimental farms for the 

culture of high-value seaweed species other than Kappaphycus and Eucheuma species, 

and the establishment of integrated multi-species (e.g., mollusks, sea cucumbers, siganids, 

and other invertebrates) seaweed farms.; jointly develop and share improved quality seed 

stocks for seaweed farms; implement and adopt Best Management Practice (BMP) among 

aquaculture smallholders; and rehabilitate abandoned shrimp farms for other sustainable 

aquaculture uses.

Objective 5: Conduct joint and parallel population studies on shared fi sh stocks 

specifi cally on tunas and other highly migratory species as well as small pelagics; share 

information on existing legislation and policies on the  management of tuna and small 

pelagics; implement joint and parallel research on the artifi cial propagation of high value 

species for aquaculture as an alternative to wild catch; share information and data on 

shared fi sh stocks and aquaculture research; implement collaborative oceanographic 

surveys in the SSME. 

Objective 6: Collect and collate baseline information on groupers, humphead wrasse, 

other Live Reef Fish Trade (LRFT) species as well as marine ornamentals; study cross-

border trade of groupers, humphead wrasse and other LRFT species as well as marine 

ornamentals; exchange information of each country’s policies and legislation on LRFT; 

work towards the voluntary adoption by traders of a proposed Code of Practice and for 

sustainable LRFT; conduct an in-depth study on the chain of custody in LRFT to generate a 

basis for more eff ective policies.

Objective 7: Assess the status of turtle predation in seaweed farms in the three countries.

Objective 8: Assess and formulate policy on the incidence of turtles as by-catch in 

capture fi sheries (longline, trawl nets, gill nets, lift nets). 

Objetive 9: Collaborate to develop a harmonized fi sheries management regime for tunas 

and small pelagics (sardines, mackerel, round scads, anchovies etc).

Objective 10: Conduct an assessment for the needs of HRD to address gaps in capabilities 

for eff ective sustainable fi sheries management; develop and implement capacity-building 

programs based on the needs identifi ed in the assessment mentioned above; organize 

reciprocal programs among the three countries for capacity building where the host 

country will train stakeholders from the other two countries in their respective fi elds of 

expertise and strengths as it relates to sustainable fi sheries, aquaculture, living aquatic 

resources exploitation, trade and livelihood systems.

Objective 11:  Find ways and means to raise internal and external funds to implement 

the programs and projects identifi ed under the Subcommittee on Sustainable Fisheries 

including from international conservation organizations.

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