EnviroStrat is the lead consultant on a National Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Framework and two pilot MSPs at local Government level in The Philippines, integrating the archipelago’s fisheries with a broader blue economy assessment with fisherfolk at its heart.
Some 2.15 million people are employed in the ocean economy, where fisheries and aquaculture contributed US$2.37 billion (1.5% of GDP) in 2016, and employed a large majority of small-scale fisherfolk that sustain households on the coast.
For the past decade, marine fishery catches averaged 2 million tonnes per year (topped by exports of tuna followed by seaweeds and crabs). But fishing, habitat loss, pollution, coastal development and multi-use conflicts grow.
Meanwhile coastal and marine tourism contributed around US$3 billion in value-added, employing some 900,000 people whose livelihoods are threatened by pollution, over-development, carrying capacity, habitat destruction and competing sector conflict.
In partnership with the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation (MERF), EnviroStrat was commissioned by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the Department of Agriculture to deliver a two-year MSP Framework assignment. EnviroStrat is responsible for overall project delivery, technical direction, integration across workstreams, and quality assurance.
MERF, as our Philippines-based delivery partner, supports local implementation, particularly baseline inputs, stakeholder engagement and training, and contributions to pilot plan drafting and validation.
The assignment sits within the World Bank–supported FishCORE programme in the Philippines, which works with government and local partners to strengthen fisheries management and help coastal communities.
The idea behind Marine Spatial Planning is to integrate fisheries’ planning with a broader blue economy assessment, supported by spatial and other analysis including ecosystem services, stakeholder engagement, GIS mapping, and marine zoning.
Enabling local institutions to lead and sustain marine spatial planning over time is central to the project, using consistent national guidance and fit-for-purpose tools and training.
What EnviroStrat Delivers
Technical assistance on Marine Spatial Planning that unites local fisheries plans, integrated coastal zone management plans, national policy and a blue economy assessment in Fisheries Management Area 6 and 9 of The Philippines.
Our team will deliver a national MSP framework in collaboration with sectors and stakeholders, with the ability to scale and apply the output throughout the Philippines. Two Local Government Unit-level pilot projects to build capability and document barriers to implementation will address how challenges can be overcome.
It will clarify the regulatory and policy requirements, institutional capacity, and data needs for an effective Marine Spatial Plan, creating a foundation for sustainable blue economy development across the Philippines.
Project Description
By integrating local fisheries plans with mariculture (seafood farming), tourism, conservation and ports, the framework can support comprehensive, spatially informed planning across government levels.
There’ll be a strong emphasis on understanding the economic, ecological and social dimensions of the blue economy in current marine ecosystems and the biodiversity, fishery productivity, climate regulation, enjoyment and coastal protection that these ecosystems provide.
Protection and restoration will be embedded within the spatial planning and zoning process, while identifying pathways for sustainable future development.
The initiative aims to reduce conflict between people and sectors, and improve coordination where competing uses arise, whilst giving certainty for investors in the marine sector.
Climate change adaptation, biodiversity commitments and the social, cultural and economic needs of coastal communities is how a resilient ecosystem can be built alongside livelihoods and long-term blue economy growth.
Project Breakdown
The project, spanning a little over two years, is delivered through six integrated workstreams, moving from scoping and assessment to pilot implementation and costed action planning.
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