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PEMSEA News
Up one levelPEMSEA News chronicles on-the-ground experiences and activities in PEMSEA sites and hotspots. Community-based initiatives, such as mangrove planting, coastal cleanups and waste management, are highlighted in the articles, as well as other workshops, conferences and programs organized or participated in by the Regional Programme.
PEMSEA ICM Level 1 Model Course Launched through a Regional ICM Training of Trainers Course
"ICM is about changing the mindset." This was the focus of the presentation by Dr. Luky Adrianto of Bogor University, Indonesia, during the ICM Level 1 Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop held in Manila and Batangas, Philippines, last 21-29 October 2008. Dr. Adrianto stressed to his co-participants, coming from different coastal and ocean management-related backgrounds, that one has to have an open mind and the readiness to change the mindset about ICM if the different "brands" of coastal and ocean management are to be harmonized under one management framework.
Chonburi Launches 3-year Program to Strengthen ICM Implementation
The Provincial Government of Chonburi (Thailand) and PEMSEA signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the Scaling up of ICM Implementation in Chonburi Province on 6 October 2008 at the Chonburi Provincial Administration Office. The MOA was signed by Mr. Pracha Taerat, Governor of Chonburi Province, and Prof. Raphael P.M. Lotilla, Executive Director of the PEMSEA Resource Facility.
Gulf of Thailand Participating Countries Agree on a Three-year Work Programme for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response
The respective national authorities of Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam have recently adopted a three-year work programme to strengthen oil spill preparedness and response in the Gulf of Thailand (GOT) on 3 October 2008 in Vung Tau City, Vietnam. Proposed activities at the subregional level include the development of a subregional guideline on the use and application of chemical dispersants for oil spills, development of a simplified coastal sensitivity map for the Gulf of Thailand subregion and a joint oil spill exercise among the three participating countries. In addition, a number of activities are lined up by individual countries to support the GOT Framework Programme for Oil Spill Preparedness and Response.
ICM Experiences and Lessons Shared at EMECS-8
Shanghai, PR China - PEMSEA shared its experiences in integrated coastal management programme development and implementation during the EMECS-8 International Conference on 27-30 October 2008 in Shanghai, PR China. The Conference was organized by the International Center for the Environmental Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas (EMECS).
De La Salle-Lipa University and PEMSEA Formalize Partnership for ICM Capacity-building
Quezon City, Philippines - PEMSEA has once again engaged another academic institution to broaden the ICM capacity-building and advocacy base through the establishment of learning centers. The De La Salle-Lipa University in Batangas province has committed to providing space and manpower for an ICM learning center that could serve the coastal municipalities and cities in the province and across the country. De La Salle-Lipa University President, Br. Manuel Pajarillo, FSC, PhD, and PEMSEA Resource Facility Executive Director Raphael P.M. Lotilla signed a Memorandum of Agreement to formalize the partnership for capacity building last 16 October at the De La Salle grounds in Batangas, Philippines, in a simple ceremony hosted by PEMSEA.
Seven Chinese ICM Parallel Sites Report Significant Progress in ICM at XWOW Workshop
Xiamen, PR China - On 10-11 November 2008, seven ICM parallel sites in PR China reported their progress in integrated coastal management (ICM) at the "National Workshop for Local Governments Implementing ICM in P.R. China." The workshop co-organized and co-sponsored by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) of PR China, PEMSEA and the Municipality of Xiamen, and was held as part of the World Ocean Week in Xiamen. Almost all sites reported developments in sea use zonation, nature reserve development, and marine monitoring and surveillance, as well as the development of pertinent regulations and integrated law enforcement. On the other hand, three common aspects were identified as requiring improvement, namely interagency coordination, capacity development and financing.
EAS Congress: Transboundary Issues as Catalysts for Cooperation
Growing populations and their migration to coastal areas, along with extensive industrial activities and rapidly increasing shipping traffic exert tremendous pressure on East Asian region's coastal and marine environment and natural resources. Studies show that over 80 percent of all marine pollution originates from land-based sources while continued discharge of industrial wastes result in toxic accumulations in the marine food chain. The EAS region is currently facing various challenges in environmental issues that are exacerbated by the negative effects of climate change. These challenges include: coral bleaching, mangrove deforestation, water scarcity, subregional pollution hotspots, and habitat destruction.
EAS Congress 2009: Give us your Best Shot! And Win a Trip to Manila
Fond of taking pictures around your community? Hone your hobby by joining the East Asian Seas Congress Regional Photo Contest.
NOWPAP Leads EAS Congress Workshop on Transboundary Pollution in River Basins
Jeju, RO Korea - The Northwest Pacific Action Plan's Pollution Monitoring Regional Activity Centre (NOWPAP-POMRAC) has agreed to co-convene a workshop in the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2009 to share experiences in developing and implementing its Integrated Coastal and River-basin Management (ICARM). ICARM is NOWPAP's key project that is designed to promote closer cooperation at the management level between the freshwater, coastal, and ocean communities.
Sihanoukville Municipality: Balancing Economic Development and Coastal Resources Management through Local Initiatives
In 2005, the Department of Tourism had high hopes for Sihanoukville becoming a prime tourist destination. "We need to get the upper and middle class crowd to visit more often because they're the ones who can pay more for the services. Right now, there are a lot of tourists coming in, but only a few are staying in high-end resorts," expressed then DOT Deputy Director Tang Socheat Kresna. Sihanoukville's only 5-star hotel at that time, the Sokha Beach Resort, was only sparsely occupied. Three years later, investors are scrambling to have a piece of Sihanoukville. With construction all over the municipality - from five-star hotels, flats, ports, bridges - that hope for the municipality may soon become a reality. Land prices are soaring, investments and tourists are pouring in and, construction and more construction is seen everywhere. While the municipal government is cautious about these developments, it cannot be denied that such economic expansion brings hope to many people. For many, more investors mean more jobs and more income.
PEMSEA ICM Level 1 Model Course Launched through a Regional ICM Training of Trainers Course
