Central Indian Ocean Region

Regional Initiatives

• CORDIO: Coral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean

  The Coral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO) is a program created to respond to the degradation of coral reefs throughout the Indian Ocean.

   

  The program was initiated by the extensive bleaching and mortality of corals that occurred during 1998. CORDIO is supported by SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), the World Bank, FRN (Swedish Council for Planning and Coordination of Research), MISTRA (Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research) and WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature).

   

  Activities within the program are conducted in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Seychelles, Reunion, Comoros, Mauritius, Maldives, India and Sri Lanka and coordinated from subregional secretariats in Kenya, Sri Lanka and Reunion. In the western Indian Ocean region coral reefs are key ecosystems that support large sectors of the countries' populations and economies, through artisinal fisheries, tourism and large-scale investments.

   

  Projects within CORDIO focus on determining a) the bio-physical impacts of coral degradation as a result of bleaching and other disturbances, and the long term prospects for recovery, b) the socioeconomic impacts of coral mortality and options for mitigating these through management and development of alternative livelihoods and c) the prospects of restoration and rehabilitation of reefs to accelerate the ecological and economic recovery.
   

• BOBLME: Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem

  Recognising the need for integrated and co-ordinated management of their coastal and near-shore living marine resources, the eight countries bordering the Bay of Bengal supported the development and submission by FAO to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the International Waters portfolio of a proposal for a project to pursue an LME approach. The GEF approved a PDF Block B grant to develop the BOBLME Programme with the World Bank as Implementing Agency and FAO as Executing Agency. The Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) also strongly endorsed the BOBLME Programme and allocated substantial funds to support the development phase. Co-funding and in-kind contributions are offered by governments of the countries and by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

   

  The PDF Block B development phase is now operational. In this first phase, the national and regional coordinating mechanisms will be put in place to ensure broad-based participation in the development of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and Strategic Action Plan (SAP). The BOBLME Programme will ultimately provide a comprehensive framework for and identify the specific actions required to address the priority transboundary problems. Potential national and regional investment, technical assistance and capacity-building interventions will be identified to improve the management of the living marine resources, with an initial focus on fisheries, and of the health of the BOBLME as a whole for the continued sustainable use of the Bay by future generations.

   

  The BOBLME Programme’s (PDF Block B Phase) main components are:

   

  a) The establishment of national and regional co-ordination mechanisms.

   

  b) The synthesis and assessment of existing information on the status of living marine resources in general,and fisheries in particular, and of the environment in the BOBLME, identification of transboundary issues that threaten these resources and the health of the ecosystem, and recommendations to address and mitigate these problems through co-ordinated action.

   

  c) Regional and national workshops involving a wide range of stakeholders to identify, discuss and reach consensus on transboundary (marine) water-related issues, constraints and priorities to be addressed.

   

  d) Preparation of a Draft Project Brief, to be submitted for financing by the GEF and other donors in the second phase, outlining the process agreed by the countries for undertaking a TDA leading to the development of a SAP.

• MFF: Mangroves For the Future

  Mangroves for the Future (MFF) is a unique partner-led initiative to promote investment in coastal ecosystem conservation for sustainable development. It provides a collaborative platform among the many different agencies, sectors and countries who are addressing challenges to coastal ecosystem and livelihood issues, to work towards a common goal.

   
  MFF builds on a history of coastal management interventions before and after the 2004 tsunami, especially the call to continue the momentum and partnerships generated by the immediate post-tsunami response. It focuses on the countries worst-affected by the tsunami; India, Indonesia, Maldives, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. However, MFF will also include other countries of the Region that face similar issues, with an overall aim to promote an integrated ocean wide approach to coastal zone management.

   

  The initiative uses mangroves as a flagship ecosystem in recognition of the destruction caused to mangroves by the tsunami, but MFF is inclusive of all coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs, estuaries, lagoons, sandy beaches, sea grasses and wetlands. Its long-term management strategy is based on identified needs and priorities for long-term sustainable coastal ecosystem management. These priorities emerged from extensive consultations with over 200 individuals and 160 institutions involved in coastal management in the Indian Ocean Region.

   

  MFF seeks to achieve demonstrable results in influencing regional cooperation, national programme support, private sector engagement and community action. This will be achieved using a strategy of generating knowledge, empowering institutions and individuals to promote good governance in coastal ecosystem management.

• Sylvia Earle Alliance - Hope Spots

  Hope Spots are special places that are critical to the health of the ocean, Earth's blue heart. Some of these Hope Spots are already protected, while others are important enough that it is imperative that they be protected. About 12% of the land around the world is now under some form of protection (as national parks, world heritage sites, monuments, etc.), while less than one percent of the ocean is protected in any way.