This report presents the findings and outcome of the refined risk assessment of Manila Bay which was undertaken by an inter-agency, multidisciplinary Technical Working Group (TWG) created by PEMSEA and DENR-MBEMP. The report was based to a large extent on the document, "Manila Bay: Initial Risk Assessment" which was published by PEMSEA and DENR in April 2001. The refined risk assessment aims to review the initial risk assessment of Manila Bay in order to determine if there are other new additional data which could be included and to examine the effect of such new or additional data on the conclusions and recommendations made during the initial risk assessment; identify sources of and activities that contribute to pollution in the bay; evaluate the impacts of pollutants in Manila Bay on human and ecological targets and identify those pollutants that should be given priority in risk management or remediation programs; recommend measures to reduce or eliminate identified risks of significance to the bay; identify data gaps in the refined risk assessment of Manila Bay that need to be addressed and uncertainties that need to be verified through monitoring and research/studies that generate primary data; and strengthen local capability of and collaboration among agencies and institutions that can play significant roles in the long-term management of Manila Bay.

The Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) provides a regional implementing framework and strategies for achieving the goals of key international agreements and action plans, including the UN Millennium Development Goals, the World Summit on Summit on Sustainable Development Plan of Implementation, Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 and other international instruments related to coasts, islands and oceans.

The SDS-SEA was developed after three years of extensive consultations with the 12 participating governments and 16 stakeholder partners, and embodies a shared vision among stakeholders towards achieving the sustainable use of coastal and marine natural resources, protection of the ecosystems, protection of life and property of the coastal population and sustaining the benefits provided by marine ecosystems. Action programs are developed under six major strategies: Sustain, Preserve, Protect, Develop, Implement and Communicate.

On 12 December 2003, at the Ministerial Forum during the East Asian Seas Congress 2003, concerned ministers of PEMSEA participating countries, as well as representatives of other stakeholder entities, adopted the Putrajaya Declaration of Regional Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Seas of East Asia. By adopting the SDS-SEA, the Putrajaya Declaration conveys a regional policy commitment to sustainable development of the seas of East Asia and to forge stakeholder partnership arrangments in addressing areas of concern.

This reprint includes the:

• Putrajaya Declaration of Regional Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Seas of East Asia
• Haikou Partnership Agreement on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia
• Manila Declaration on Strengthening the Implementation of Integrated Coastal Management for Sustainable Development and Climate Change Adaptation in the Seas of East Asia Region

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The Port Klang Coastal Strategy covers social, economic and environmental issues in the coastal areas of Klang and Kuala Langat, which are directly related to the environmental values and threats as perceived by the people in these areas. Strategic responses have been developed to address such concerns, supported by series of action programs. The involvement of all stakeholders, including government, industry, private sector and the public is required in the efforts to implement the strategy.

One of the main thrusts of the work of PEMSEA is to assist the countries in the region in their search for innovative approaches to environmental management and improvement. PEMSEA continuously encourages the formulation and adoption of integrated approaches in managing coastal land and water uses as part of their respective state policies for national economic and social development. It also conducts cross-sector assessments of National Coastal and Marine Policy Development and encourages countries to share their experiences. This case study, sponsored by PEMSEA, is part of the above series of assessments. This study examines the challenges and rewards related to the development of a national coastal and marine (COMAR) policy in the People’s Republic of China, and to identify the elements of a model national COMAR policy and the requirements for its implementation.

It is the result of both good project design and innovative and adaptive management, which are producing commendable outcomes and beneficial social, economic and environmental impacts.

The Coastal Strategy of Danang City provides short- and long-term action programs designed to resolve complex issues that beset the coastal and marine environment and their resources through cross-sectoral cooperation. It specifically directs stakeholders to rationally exploit and use their coastal and marine resources and environment in accordance with common development objectives. The Strategy is integrative, systematic and practical, which ensures that appropriate policy and management interventions prescribed in the document will be carried out. The integration of capacity of relevant sectors/organizations, the linkage of related programs/projects/activities and the application of international and national experiences in related fields are important factors for achieving the common objective - the sustainable development of the coastal area of Danang.

The Manila Bay Coastal Strategy provides a comprehensive environmental management framework, targeted outcomes and a series of action programs involving the participation of both government and non-government sectors. This Coastal Strategy is a document that covers the social, economic and environmental aspects of Manila Bay in relation to people’s values, and threats - real or perceived - that impair those values. To turn this knowledge and concern into action, it is apparent that the combined effort of government and civil society are required. These efforts involve changing the attitude and behavior of people. This is no small task, and the Coastal Strategy takes on this challenge by tasking every level of society with the responsibility of managing the Bay. Most significantly, the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy provides a comprehensive environmental management framework, targeted outcomes and a series of actions programs involving the participation of both government and non-government sectors. The key to moving toward the shared vision is the development of partnerships among the stakeholders, and the synergy of efforts of many different players with different skills and perspectives. At the end of the day, any action program within the Coastal Strategy, whether taken up by an individual, a community or sector, represents a contribution to the realization of the shared vision for Manila Bay.

The initial risk assessment of Manila Bay was conducted as a preliminary step to the refined risk assessment. It provides a glimpse of environmental conditions in the Bay using available secondary data. It serves as a screening mechanism to identify priority environmental concerns in the Bay, identify data gaps and uncertainties and recommend areas for immediate management intervention or for further assessment.

This document focuses on two priority activities and contaminants in the Malacca Straits as identified in the publication Malacca Straits Initial Risk Assessment (1997), namely: (1) human health effects by exploring fish/seafood consumption and contamination of fish/seafood by metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons; and (2) ecological effects by exploring measured environmental concentrations for hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon composition and their impact on the ecosystem.