PEMSEA and XMU-COMI conduct regional training on Coastal Use Zoning

 

Attendees of the PEMSEA and XMU-COMI CUZ training pose for a group photo
PEMSEA, in partnership with the Coastal and Ocean Management Institute for Xiamen University (XMU-COMI), conducted a regional training workshop on coastal use zoning development and implementation in Xiamen, China, from 17- 21 June.

 

The five-day training course was designed to strengthen capacity in the development, implementation, and enforcement of coastal use zoning schemes and their supporting guidelines and regulations in the region. It provided participants with presentations and lectures, case studies, interactive exercises, workshop activities, and a field visit.

 

The training course focused on four key components: 1) Overview of Coastal Use Zoning and its Relevance to Integrated Coastal Management (ICM); 2) Coastal use Zoning Development and Implementation Process; 3) workshop on Coastal Use Zoning; and 4) Governance and Management Mechanisms for Zoning Plan Implementation.

 

Nine experts from China, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines served as resource speakers. Focusing on Xiamen’s experience, Dr. Xue Xiongzhi, Dr. Fang Qinhua, Dr. Huang Jinliang, and Dr. Peng Benrong of XMU-COMI provided the lectures and presentations covering all the modules of the training course. Dr. Thia-Eng Chua, PEMSEA Chair Emeritus, Dr. Pan Xinchun of China Oceanic Development Foundation, and Mr. Lin Huaiyuan, Chief Engineer of the Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Ocean Development, gave special talks on ICM implementation in Xiamen. Dr. Sakanan Plathong of Prince Songkla University and Johanna Diwa-Acallar of the PEMSEA Resource Facility facilitated the workshop proper, together with Dr. Fang Qinhua.

 

The 18 participants from local, provincial, national governments as well as representatives from ICM learning centers of Cambodia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam also exchanged experiences on zoning implementation which provided a rich source of discussion and insights on models and strategies on zone planning, development and implementation. During the workshop proper, the participants developed, prepared and drafted a zoning map and an activity guide for the various uses, activities and habitats of selected areas.

 

The five-day event was capped by a field trip covering the areas of: Wuyuan Bay, one of Xiamen’s ICM demonstration sites, which implements marine functional zoning; Xiamen University, the scientific support of ICM in Xiamen, which provided a brief introduction on the Marine Monitoring and Information Services Platform (MMIS); Huangcuo Beach, a marine protected area and a demonstration site for Xiamen’s coastal beach restoration efforts; and Xiamen City Planning Exhibition Hall, which features the development history and future planning of the city through imaging, solid models, and videos.

 

The full workshop report will be available soon.