The coastal and marine environment of East Asia is confronted with similar, if not more complex, management challenges as many other regions in the world. Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is widely advocated as a way of coping with multiple simultaneous pressures that are causing a decline in the state of the marine ecosystems. EBM requires a sound science supporting an adaptive management framework, undertakes integrated assessments to inform management decisions and to regulate multiple human pressures and coordinate and integrate national and international monitoring programs. Management efforts in the region should be, therefore, geared toward the adoption of an integrated, EBM approach and capitalize on the availability of scientific knowledge and technological advances from within and outside the region, including experiences in engaging wider participation of stakeholders in the scientific process. This report presents the highlights of the papers presented in the Workshop on the Science in Ecosystem-based Management, including the conclusions and recommendations drawn from the discussions. It covers, in particular, the key initiatives and experiences in integrating science into policy and management decisions. It also discusses innovative approaches to monitor ecosystem changes due to human interventions, identify effective strategies for knowledge transfer, packaging and communicating scientific information to support policy formulation. It also illustrates how various programs that adopt an ecosystem-based approach, which takes into account ecosystem knowledge and uncertainties, transboundary influences and balancing societal and environmental objectives, have contributed to promoting interdisciplinary research, which is essential for sustainable development of coastal seas.

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on Addressing Water Crisis in Rapidly Growing Cities. As the most indispensable commodity of human life, water became the center theme of the world’s environment and development instruments. This is because there is no way of achieving sustainable development without securing water. As water became scarce, water security became a serious concern for most of the countries. The causes of water scarcity are plenty: population growth, pollution, failure in management such as disparities between water supply and demand, weak water use regulation and enforcement, as well as inefficient water use stimulated by inadequate water pricing, and depletion of groundwater resources, among others. With anticipated increase in climatic uncertainties, the problem of water scarcity is expected to exacerbate in years to come.

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on Meeting Challenges of Climate Change at the Local Level through ICM. Climate change is a critical and cross-cutting issue, which can affect various aspects of sustainable development. There is a growing concern over its impacts and potential catastrophic consequences, particularly in East Asia, with its long coastlines, economic activity and population concentration in the coastal areas, and reliance on agriculture and use of natural resources for economic development. This workshop, which consisted of 16 presentations and open discussions, highlighted the diverse challenges posed by climate change to the region, particularly at the local level, the usefulness of the integrated coastal management (ICM) framework and process in dealing with such challenges, and the emerging approaches and needs for climate change adaptation for coastal and marine areas.

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on Government/Industry Partnerships for Effective and Consistent, Preparedness and Response to Marine Pollution in East Asia. This workshop reviewed major issues currently faced by countries of East Asia regarding preparedness, response and co-operation for combating oil pollution, with a particular emphasis on: Regional/sub-regional arrangements for pollution response; Challenges in regional government-industry co-operation for spill response; Lessons learned from various regional/subregional arrangements; Integrated approach to regional, national and local oil spill preparedness and response; and Recent developments in Claims and Compensation for Oil Spills.

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on Networking of Marine Protected Areas: Benefits, Good Practices, Standards and Next Steps. The Workshop on Networking of Marine Protected Areas: Benefits, Good Practices, Standards and Next Steps was one of the events within the theme on Habitat Protection, Restoration and Management. The workshop was co-convened by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention, and PEMSEA. In view of the many initiatives to network MPAs in the region, the workshop discussed options for cooperation among various initiatives, strategies, action plans, and working partnerships in MPA networking that have been developed or are being developed in the region, for example the ASEAN Marine Protected Area and Heritage Park initiatives, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI), and the South China Sea Fisheries Refugia Initiative. Government personnel from Indonesia, the Philippines, the People’s Republic of China, and Viet Nam, as well as from the ASEAN, CTI, ICRI, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the MPA Learning Partnership, and the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), among others, participated in the workshop.

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on Transboundary Pollution Reduction in River Basins and Coastal Areas. Transboundary transport of pollutants through rivers is recognized as one of the main causes of ecological problems in coastal and marine areas. Reduction of pollution inputs from rivers is hence a prerequisite in addressing downstream pollution impacts in receiving coastal and marine waters. Pollutants can be transported through rivers across jurisdictional boundaries within and across countries, posing a challenge to the effectiveness of separate management efforts among national and sub-national entities, and between river basins and coastal areas. An integrated approach in managing shared water systems and in addressing identified priorities such as pollution, at various levels, is considered an imperative. This workshop aimed to present and take lessons from case studies in the Northwest Pacific, East Asia and other regions on transboundary pollution reduction in rivers and coastal areas through integrated management approaches. It also aimed to share good practices and experiences on integrating pollution reduction measures and tools in river basin management among established river basin management programs and areas that are starting the process.

One of the special events of the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress was the PPP for the Rehabilitation of Manila Bay: A CSR Forum. The event gathered around 80 participants, including active CSR practitioners from the corporate sector and representatives from national agencies, local government units as well as other concerned stakeholders from development organizations.

The Forum highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing pollution and other issues, particularly the application of CSR in the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay. The Forum also discussed the contributions of the corporate sector, both existing and prospective, to the rehabilitation of Manila Bay and how they can strategically realign their efforts in achieving the goals and objectives set forth in the Operational Plan for Manila Bay Coastal Strategy (OPMBCS).

The Forum also highlighted the role of integrated coastal management (ICM) as a management tool that could address the three areas of concern in the OPMBCS, namely, Water Pollution, Partnerships and Governance and Overexploitation of Resources. Ms. Malu Erni, Executive Director of Petron Foundation, and Mr. Rogelio Singson, President of Maynilad, served as Chair and Co-Chair, respectively.

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on Alternative Energy – A Solution for Energy Security for Islands and Remote Areas. "Energy is essential to economic and social development and improved quality of life. Much of the world’s energy, however, is currently produced and consumed in ways that could not be sustained if technology were to remain constant and if overall quantities were to increase substantially." As clearly stated above in Chapter 9 of the Agenda 21, the promotion of technology development and the use of alternative energy is one of the key essential elements for the sustainable development. Islands are surrounded by the oceans which are abundant in the sources for alternative energy. At the same time, small islands as well as remote areas are facing difficulties in securing the energies, which is inevitable for economic and social development and better quality of life. How to secure energy supply in the islands and remote areas is one of the facing issues to be addressed in order to achieve sustainable development. Is introducing alternative energy in small islands and remote areas feasible? The workshop focused on: The status of the technology development of alternative energy; Feasibility of alternative energies; and Utilization of a new finance scheme for promoting alternative energy development and expansion.

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on the Continental Shelf: Post-May 2009 Perspectives. This workshop on the national submissions of continental shelf extensions was one of the most important features of the East Asian Seas Congress. In many instances in the past, disputes over land territory pose threats to peace and stability. Quieting of opposing claims and settlement of maritime boundaries will promote regional peace and stability, which is a prerequisite to cooperation in the region to achieve any objective. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which entered into force in 1994, established a new order in the regime of seas. Article 76 of the Convention requires coastal states to establish the outer limits of their continental margin where the margin extends beyond 200 nautical miles from its baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. The UN’s Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (Commission) is mandated to investigate the impact of Article 76 and to facilitate its implementation. So far, the Commission has received 51 submissions and 44 preliminary information notes. The workshop looked at the impacts of national submissions from the perspectives of the academe and ocean policy experts. Discussion on issues of maritime boundaries is a necessary academic exercise because undeniably, these may impact peace and stability, and future cooperation in the Seas of East Asia. Mr. Galo Carrera, a member of the Commission, chaired the workshop with Ms. Valentina Germani from the UN DOALOS, as co-chair.