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Enhancing Coastal Info Management in Caribbean

CEPNET facilitated better management of environmental information for the Caribbean Environment Programme through networking mechanisms and database development. The project strengthened coastal and marine resources information management capabilities and increased access to valuable data.

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Enhancing Coastal Info Management in Caribbean

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  1. LUC ST-PIERRE CEPNET Programme Officer lsp.uneprcuja@cwjamaica.com CEPNET:a Facilitator in the Better Management of Environmental Informationfor the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP)

  2. The Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) CARTAGENA CONVENTION Adopted in 1983 In force since 1986 Protocol ConcerningCo-operation in Combating Oil Spills Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife(SPAW) Protocol Concerning Pollution fromLand-Based Sources and Activities(LBS) Adopted in 1983 In force since 1986 Adopted in 1990 In force since 2000 Adopted in 1999 www.cep.unep.org

  3. Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit (UNEP-CAR/RCU) Governments of the Caribbean Region Caribbean Environment Programme “Cartagena Convention and Protocols” UNEP Division of EnvironmentalConventions Regional Seas Programme CAR/RCU AMEP CEPNET SPAW ETA

  4. CEPNET, a Subprogramme of CEP Information Systems for the Management of Marine and Coastal Resources • to strengthen capabilities for coastal and marine resources information management in WCR • to increase access to information through the strengthening of networking mechanisms and database development • to disseminate information resulting from the projects and activities of the CEP • to develop the analytical capabilities of the CAR/RCU

  5. CEPNET, a Project • Project for Strengthening the Capabilitiesfor Managing Coastal and Marine Environment Resources in the Wider Caribbean Region (CEPNET/IDB Project) • implemented in six countries by the CEPNET programme • co-funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (US$1,000,000) and UNEP (US$361,000) • concluded in January 1999

  6. Achievements of CEPNET/IDB Project(1) • established an Internet-based environmental information network • strengthened the coastal and marine resources management capabilities • strengthened the central role of the CAR/RCU • created an internal Information Management System (IMS) infrastructure within the CAR/RCU • created the CEP website at www.cep.unep.org

  7. Achievements of CEPNET/IDB Project(2): Pilot Network Programme • a needs assessment • a country workplan • the IMS on a web server • trained staff • databases • a State of the Coasts report • a program sustainability plan

  8. Internal Evaluation (1)Needs Identified • to improve management of environmental information to increase access and prevent duplication of effort • to improve dissemination mechanisms of environmental information of CEP • to strengthen the central role of CAR/RCU • to provide technical assistance in managing coastal and marine environment information and data

  9. Internal Evaluation (2)Needs Satisfaction • increased availability of information through metadata catalogues, databases and GIS, and the production of preliminary State of the Coast reports • CEP website and Intranet at CAR/RCU • communication mechanisms that take advantage of the Internet • basis for replication in other countries interested in improving their capacity to manage their coastal and marine information

  10. Internal Evaluation (3)Catalytic Effects of Activities and Ouptuts • created a framework and a starting point • initiated a change of culture for dissemination of environmental information • showed that collaboration with other initiatives improves access to information

  11. Internal Evaluation (4)Problems Encountered • high cost of dedicated line • delays in equipment delivery • bureaucracy and personnel rotation impairing efficient decision-making

  12. External Evaluation (1)Findings • relevant and consistent approach • useful tools developed (exploration of information technologies) • large quantity of training materials and a highly successful training • CEP website well-designed and well-developed but lacking in content • websites developed (PNP) with limited resources and commitment from the national agencies • database development was limited because of the “jealousy culture”

  13. External Evaluation (2)Recommendations • the level of efforts better documented • CEP website must remain an important catalyst • funding bridge to ensure maintenance of outputs and integrate new countries • metadata catalogues and internet-based GIS components further supported • national sustainability plans pursued on an on-going basis • trained professionals part of subsequent projects • update and promotion of websites (PNP)

  14. Barbados • institutional information • workplan • State of the Coast Report • metadata catalogue • coastal zone, beach access • geophysic • land use, management plan • currents, water levels, winds, waves • shoreline plants, seagrass • etc.

  15. Barbados Now? • Maintenance of output: none is known • Use of output: minimal • Human resources: no core left • Technical resources: underuse for GIS • Activity in GIS: minimal (CZMU) • Internet (sharing) culture: not visible • Expression of interest: not expressed

  16. Dominican Republic • institutional information • workplan • State of the Coast Report • metadata catalogue • on-line GIS • inventario de recursos naturales • programa ambiental costero • departamento de recursos pesqueros • departamento de vidas silvestres • departamento de educacion ambiental

  17. Dominican Republic Now? • Maintenance of output: minimal • Use of output: unknown • Human resources: dispersed but active (GIS) • Technical resources: still available • Activity in GIS: not co-ordinated (?) • Internet (sharing) culture: not promoted • Expression of interest: very high (indiv. and admin)

  18. Jamaica http://www.nrca.org/soe_97/index.htm • institutional information • workplan • state of the Coast Report • metadata catalogue • on-line GIS

  19. Jamaica Now? • Maintenance of output: very high • Use of output: very high • Human resources: core developed • Technical resources: stregthened • Activity in GIS: integrated & supported • Internet (sharing) culture: promoted in practice • Expression of interest: very high

  20. Nicaragua • institutional information • workplan • state of the Coast Report • metadata catalogue • on-line GIS • coastal zone • risk to natural hazards • land use, population, socio-economy • Currents, biodiversity, fisheries • satellite imagery • etc.

  21. Nicaragua Now? • Maintenance of output: good • Use of output: very good • Human resources: core with multi-tasks • Technical resources: maintained & integrated • Activity in GIS: co-ordinated (institution) • Internet (sharing) culture: room for improvement! • Expression of interest: very high

  22. Trinidad and Tobago • institutional information • workplan • state of the Coast Report • metadata catalogue • coastal zone, beaches • wildlife and species • erosion and other marine hazards • fisheries, fish population

  23. Trinidad and Tobago Now? • Maintenance of output: good • Use of output: good • Human resources: core expanded • Technical resources: GIS and RS Centre (IMA) • Activity in GIS: integrated • Internet (sharing) culture: high • Expression of interest: very high

  24. Venezuela • institutional information • workplan • state of the Coast Report • metadata catalogue • infrastructure, land use, water supply and treatment • protected areas, admin division • coastline, watershed, soils, vegetation • physical features, natural regions • ortophoto, radar and other images • etc.

  25. Venezuela Now? • Maintenance of output: minimal • Use of output: good • Human resources: minimal • Technical resources: need strengthening • Activity in GIS: punctual • Internet (sharing) culture: unknown • Expression of interest: very high (individual)

  26. CAR/RCU Now? • Maintenance of output: good • Use of output: very good • Human resources: not permanent • Technical resources: supported • Activity in GIS: to resume! • Internet (sharing) culture: extremely high • Expression of interest: by mandate

  27. Lessons Learnt (1)Implementation Phase • use the existing resources (even if they do not satisfy the requirements) • ensure support from the decision-makers • GIS and Internet technologies more accessible and do not justify huge initial investments • CAR/RCU must emphasize its role as facilitator and be less involved in implementation • capacities developed at national level for replication at a lower cost, and more adapted to regional needs

  28. Lessons Learnt (2)Post-project Follow-up (general) • resources for funding sustainability at least from one year before end of project • design activities and raise funds for projects within the original participating agencies and/or with new partners • steering committee that will exist after project • train a webmaster to maintain website and co-ordinate database maintenance and development

  29. Lessons Learnt (3)Post-project Follow-up (specific) • small scale and short time-horizon • multi-sources funding • take advantage of cost-efficient and more accessible Internet-based technologies for dissemination • existing human resources in GIS and Internet activities • integrate to UN/non-UN • build on experience gained with objectives of replicability within the WCR (emphasis on content)

  30. Are We Learning?Developing the CEPNET Programme • to strengthen capabilities • to increase access to information • to disseminate information • to develop capacities of the CAR/RCU

  31. Are We Learning?Developing the CEPNET Programme • to strengthen capabilities for coastal and marine resources information management in WCR • technical advisory services • funds for training in remote sensing • promotion of metadata standards/catalogues • training for web-GIS: LBS, MPA, GPA, others • On-line training materials • GPA clearinghouse

  32. Are We Learning?Developing the CEPNET Programme • to increase access to marine and coastal resources information through the strengthening of networking mechanisms and database development • GPA clearinghouse • CaMPAM, Species database, others • CEP website • State of the Coast • web-GIS on LBS, MPA, others • WW2BW

  33. Are We Learning?Developing the CEPNET Programme Clearinghouse Internet e-group CEP meetings NETWORKING Personalized e-mail Institutional e-mail Phone, mail Person to person Access to network Provide the CEP Member States … with the most complete information … in the most efficient way possible

  34. Are We Learning?Developing the CEPNET Programme • to disseminate information resulting from the projects and activities of the CEP • CEP website (revamp) • CEPNews Centre • support to Convention and Protocols (inc. reporting) • thematic e-groups • environment Assessments

  35. Are We Learning?Developing the CEPNET Programme • to develop the analytical capabilities of the CAR/RCU to improve its impacts • computing and network facilities, training room • database of Focal Points, Experts and Institutions • Intranet development • development of the CEP website • database development, training and networking with AMEP, SPAW and ETA

  36. Opportunities to Create • partnerships for pilot projects • on-line training (materials, experience, translation) • web-GIS technology transfer (training, infrastructure) • clearinghouse development • WW2BW • US/EPA • IABIN • EROS Datacentre • ...

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