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National Environment Policy Presentation. NEP and Fisheries : Towards a common and comprehensive environmental framework Port Vila, 31 May 2013. Policy Vision & Rationale. VISION « A clean utilization of Vanuatu’s resources for a healthy Environment » RATIONALE
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National Environment PolicyPresentation NEP and Fisheries: Towards a common and comprehensiveenvironmentalframework Port Vila, 31 May 2013
Policy Vision & Rationale • VISION « A clean utilization of Vanuatu’s resources for a healthy Environment » • RATIONALE Umbrella Policy Framework and Roadmap for Environmental Protection & Conservation DEPC: leading agency with relevant partners
NEP Rationale • NEP in line with Vanuatu’s constitution • Part II, Fundamental duties: « Every person has the following fundamental duties to himself and his descendants and to others (…) (d) To protect the Republic of Vanuatu and to safeguard the national wealth, resources and environment in the interests of the present generation and of future generations »
NEP Rationale • NEP in line with the PAA and Overarching Sector Policy • PAA: « An educated, healthy and wealthy Vanuatu » • « By 2015 Vanuatu will be among the leading countries in achieving (…) environmental management • « The main priority is to create an environment for private sector led economic growth, including activities in the primary sectors of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as well as tourism. » • « The nation possesses some important advantages: fertile land, natural resources and unspoilt environment »
NEP’s 4 pillars LAND AIR/SPACE « Safeguard the national wealth, resources and environment » … for a HEALTHY environment SEA NATURAL RESOURCES
Policy development process Timeline
9. Water & Marine Resources Management Identified issues during provincial consultations • Coral reefs protection • Identifying resilient reefs and developing appropriate protection plans • Provincial coral reef monitoring program • Old tires for reef replanting (Ambae, Penama) • Community assistance • Development of fish and prawn cultivation farms • Drinking water protection zones • Water conservation and management plans (incl. buffer zones) • Replanting coconuts and coastal pandanus in buffer zones • Ship wrecks guidelines to limit coastal pollution • Watersheds provisions • River banks replanting • Now: need to formulate policy directives and strategies, in line with Fisheries Policy!
NEP and Fisheries NEP to: • Facilitate implementation of Fisheries Policy (draft) • Make it a national priority in a high-level document • Break down key aspects of Fisheries Policy that have an environmental character • Getting specific resources for enforcement and monitoring • Strengthen Fisheries’ governance and cooperation with key sectors • E.g. Regulate agriculture, forestry and mining practices to prevent soil loss and pollution, and maintain the water quality needed for freshwater and coastal aquaculture > common framework • Foster private sector partnerships • E.g. Provisions to develop the domestic fishing industry and access rights • Provisions to strengthen cooperation on cross-cutting issues with DEPC and other stakeholders, such as for: • Marine biodiversity (protected conservation areas) • Species and (marine) ecosystem protection and conservation • Improved resource management (fisheries, reefs, coasts, offshore) through better coordination and cooperation with communities and provincial authorities • Introduction of foreign species for aquaculture purposes
Cross cutting issues – specific examples Links between Fisheries and DEPC • Many issues require cooperation and joint actions Cooperation with DEPC happening at several levels: • DEPC Mescal programme (Mangrove ecosystem for climate change adaptation and livelihoods): identifying, protecting and replanting mangrove habitats throughout Vanuatu • Establishment of protected areas • EIA processes to protect coastal fisheries habitats from future developments or to assess impact of introduced species Potential to cooperate with other sectors through NEP: • With LivestockDept > on food security issue • With Forestry (DoF): sustainable management of lands, control logging in highland areas to protect catchments and minimize soil erosion
Conclusion • NEP = Overarching document facilitating and improving coordination mechanisms among environment stakeholders • Sharing information and data to increase efficiency of environmental projects • No department can work in isolation when it comes to environmental protection and climate change!