CORAL TRIANGLE CURRENTS
APRIL 2014

CTI-CFF "A Model of Success," Says World Economic Forum Report

The Coral Triangle Initiative has demonstrated that national programs can be effectively linked to a regional plan
  
The CTI-CFF takes center stage in the April 2014 edition of Green Light, a publication of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Governance for Sustainability. Green Light, a monthly newsletter that aims to highlight promising economic and environmental initiatives, cites the CTI-CFF as a "model of success."
  
In the foreword, James Bacchus, the Council's Chairman, also describes the Initiative as "an exceptional example of a bottom-up approach to governing environmental issues." MORE
Featured Research: Fish Behaving Badly in Acid Sea off PNG

 

Fish swimming amongst carbon dioxide bubbles off the coast of PNG
(Courtesy: JCU)

(JCU MEDIA RELEASE) In a world-first study published on April 14, researchers have found that fish in the wild respond adversely to ocean acidification. 

 

"Fish living at natural carbon dioxide seeps have abnormal behaviors similar to what we've observed in previous laboratory experiments," says the lead author of the study, Professor Philip Munday from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (Coral CoE) at James Cook University. He adds that these carbon dioxide levels are similar to what is predicted for the oceans in the second half of the century. MORE

Work Begins on Developing Seascape Model for Coral Triangle

Fifty participants attended the first CTI-CFF Regional Exchange on Seascapes held on April 8-10, 2014 in Manila, Philippines (Courtesy: Conservation International)
The CTI-CFF's first Regional Exchange on Seascapes has successfully laid the groundwork for the development of a seascape model for the Coral Triangle.

 

Organized by the Australian Government and Conservation International, the workshop was designed to develop a shared and better understanding of how integrated ecosystem-based management of oceans and coastal areas in the Coral Triangle has been initiated in each of the CTI-CFF countries and can be progressed under the seascape approach. MORE
13 MPAs Nominated to Coral Triangle Marine Protected Area System
 
Map showing the nearly 2,000 marine protected areas that have been established in the Coral Triangle (Courtesy: CT Atlas)
The six CTI-CFF countries have nominated a total of 13 of their most important marine protected areas (MPAs) to the Coral Triangle Marine Protected Area System (CTMPAS). These sites are as follows:
  1. Anambas Islands Marine Recreational Park, Indonesia
  2. Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia
  3. Pangumbahan Marine Turtle Park, Indonesia
  4. Savu Sea National Marine Park, Indonesia
  5. Turtle Islands Park, Malaysia
  6. Tun Mustapha Park, Malaysia
  7. Kulungi Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA), Papua New Guinea (PNG)
  8. Lolobau LMMA, PNG
  9. Tarobi LMMA, PNG
  10. Tubbataha Reef National Park, Philippines
  11. Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary, Philippines
  12. Zinoa Marine Conservation Area, Solomon Islands
  13. Nino Konis Santana National Park, Timor Leste

An Advisory Committee is currently evaluating the nominated areas for admission into the CTMPAS as Category 3 (Priority Development Sites) or Category 4 (Flagship Sites) based on the criteria set out in the CTMPAS framework for effective management of MPAs in the Coral Triangle. MORE

Malaysia, Partners Move Ahead on Climate Work

Villagers from Selakan Island, Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia at a climate change adaptation workshop in November 2013 (Courtesy: CTI-Malaysia Sabah Branch)

The CTI-CFF National Secretariat of Malaysia (CTI-Malaysia), its Sabah Branch, and their partners successfully completed the training of 43 trainers on climate change adaptation last January.

 

The workshop, held on January 27-28 in Putrajaya, involved the use of two climate change adaptation (CCA) toolkits called Coastal Integrity Vulnerability Assessment Tool (CIVAT) and Tool for Understanding Resilience in Fisheries (TURF). MORE

New Climate Project Launched for Solomon Islands

 

About 79,000 people in up to four provinces in Solomon Islands are expected benefit from a new project that aims to help protect communities against risks from climate change and natural disasters (Courtesy: James Morgan)
The World Bank and Solomon Islands Government launched early this month a new project to help protect communities against growing risks from climate change and natural disasters.
  
Approved in March by World Bank's Board of Executive Directors, the project aims to address natural hazards and climate change risks by strengthening climate and disaster risk information and early warning systems, and direct community investments in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. MORE
Competition Opens for 'Smart' Fishing Gear

WWF announced it has begun accepting entries to the 2014 Smart Gear International Competition, which seeks and supports innovative solutions to address fisheries bycatch, the unintentional catch of fish and other marine species. The deadline for entry submission is August 31, 2014. MORE
  
Highlights
Featured Research: Fish Behaving Badly in Acid Sea off PNG
Work Begins on Developing Seascape Model for Coral Triangle
13 MPAs Nominated to Coral Triangle Marine Protected Area System
Malaysia, Partners Move Ahead on Climate Work
New Climate Project Launched for Solomon Islands
Competition Opens for 'Smart' Fishing Gear
Details of CTI-CFF Events Announced for World Coral Reef Conference
TNC Partners with WeChat to Raise Funds for Coral Triangle, Other Projects
Featured Video: Corals in Motion
 
UPCOMING EVENTS 

 

CTI-CFF Coordination Mechanisms Working Group Meeting 
Manado, Indonesia
May 13, 08:30-10:30

 

Manado, Indonesia
May 13, 11:00-12:30
  
Coral Triangle Women Leaders Event
Manado, Indonesia
May 13, 13:30-15:30
  
Manado, Indonesia
May 13, 16:00-18:00
   
Manado, Indonesia
May 14-15
  
May 15
  
Manado, Indonesia
May 16
  

 

Details of CTI-CFF Events Announced for World Coral Reef Conference

 
Organizers of the upcoming World Coral Reef Conference (WCRC) to be held in Manado, Indonesia have released details on several CTI-CFF events scheduled around the Conference. MORE
 
TNC Partners with WeChat to Raise Funds for Coral Triangle, Other Projects

 
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and WeChat are teaming up to make staying connected to nature easier for smartphone users, while also generating funds to further the Conservancy's work on projects such as helping sea turtles make a comeback in the Coral Triangle and other parts of the world, TNC said in a news release.
  
To kick-off this new partnership, through June 30, 2014, WeChat will donate $5 to TNC for every new user who downloads the app and follows the Conservancy's official account, for up to one million dollars in support. MORE
  
 
Featured Video: 
Corals in Motion

  
Using time lapse cinematography, photographer Daniel Stoupin reveals a coral world "full of hypnotic motion." To view, click the play button below. To learn more about this video, read Mr. Stoupin's blog.
  
Slow Life
  
For more information on the CTI-CFF, contact:   

Dr. Hendra Siry
Secretary for Coordination and External Affairs
CTI-CFF Interim Regional Secretariat
Mina Bahari II Bldg, 17th Fl.
Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries
Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur, Jakarta 10110
      
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