LUC ST-PIERRE CEPNET Programme Officer lsp.uneprcuja@cwjamaica

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 • ...