7
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.