Workshop Partner

The participants after brainstorming on various issues and themes decided to scope out the recommendations covering ocean, watersheds, wetlands, coasts and island issues in a broad sense linked with species, habitats and human livelihoods globally.

Awareness to Action

The communities and individuals should be empowered with appropriate education, information and tools to take effective action such as beach Conservation, CRZ implementation, Marine Heritage conservation, Reef check experience etc. One of the ways for empowerment is to form local level conservation councils and strengthen them.

• The basic awareness about marine issues should be created among all stakeholders. This should be based on the needs of the concerned stakeholders
• Information for action should also lead to action in everyday life even for the people not living near the oceans as they also have an impact on oceans.
• The education should lead from creating awareness to action The students should be involved in hands on experience such as adopting coastline area, beach clean up campaigns, save endangered species and habitat etc. Coastal schools should be involved in action through Marine Corps. Adoption of villages and fishermen communities for educating them for awareness and best practices should be encouraged.
• The education system (formal and non-formal) should be locale specific and should take into account traditional knowledge systems. The content for the educational material should be based on scientifically sound knowledge.
• Experiencing Oceans: the education system should include hands on experiences and outdoor activities in the field and various habitats. Using various tools/media for educating people such as zoos, aquariums, museums, films etc
• Socio-economic biological monitoring of coastal ecosystems should form the action component of the educational programmes.
• Enforcement authorities should be educated towards conservation action. They should be provided necessary educational tools for the purpose. Responsibility should be taken by one concerned department-Coast guards, navy, fisheries, forests etc.
• Merchant Navy, maritime agencies, commercial shipping and naval establishments should be educated on ocean conservation issues such as solid waste management.
• Resource support for conducting educational programmes should be strengthened and made available and accessible to all. Media should be facilitated to present right information to the stakeholders.
• Volunteer courses for Students, youth, NGOs etc should be organized
• Education for all and at all levels must be linked to the care of oceans whether residing near oceans or away from coastline.
• Ocean conservation should also include non-living resources conservation like mineral (sand dunes), infrastructure need to be conserved.

Best Practices  

• Best practices in Ballast Water Management from across the regions should be propagated.
• Documentation of traditional knowledge like Story telling related to local environmental issues should be taken up on priority basis.
• Mangrove conservation should be linked with JFM or some other conservation programmes.
• Marine Biosphere reserves protection through separate biosphere legislation and department.
• All types of wastes should be managed appropriately not just the SWM.
• Overexploitation of marine resource specially fishing should be checked. The sensible fish campaign of world ocean network should be adopted as best practice. Devise mechanisms of controlling harmful fishing practices.
• Practical actions adapting best practises should be encouraged which could be used as models for creating awareness.
• Local governance inputs should be provided in larger policy processes leading to sustainable action
• There is a desperate need to improve understanding of the ocean with direct implication to an improved understanding of the fisheries industries, and subsequently sustainable development.

Networking-Cooperation  

• An Indian Ocean regional EE network should be formed in collaboration with the networks and institutions working on ocean conservation issues. CEE should take the lead in association with world ocean network, IOI, and UNEP Regional Seas programme.
• There should be documentation and sharing of educational tools, resources and information within the partners in a spirit of working together to mutually explore resources.
• Promote global networking for conducting socio-economic and biological monitoring
• Networking should be encouraged through established bodies and committed voluntary groups
• A common platform to share experiences and tools worldwide should be promoted – an Ocean education website/web group can be an ideal way to reach concerned people.
• United Nations should declare 8 June as International Ocean Day.
• The success stories and case studies from other regions and countries should be shared as a learning experience and networks and forums should cooperate in such activities.  

Tsunami and Natural Disasters  

• There is a need to rebuild natural coastal defences—mangroves, sand-dunes, corals, sandy beaches, etc. Mangroves not only help protect the ecosystems from Tsunamis but also from super cyclones and other disasters and are very valuable for the coastal ecosystem.
• The coastal settlements close to the seashore within the CRZ should be relocated and coastal zone restoration plans should be implemented.
• There should be appropriate zonation for the coasts classified based on appropriate regulations for each category. Special zones for aquaculture and other economic activities should be created.

• The CRZ should be strictly enforced and violations must be strictly stopped and the regulation should be implemented in letter and spirit.
• The artificial protection measures against tsunami or other disasters should be properly analyzed before taking over rather natural protection measures such as mangroves, corals etc. should be strengthened.
• The damage to coastal and islands eco-systems should be assessed and efforts should be mobilize towards their restoration.
• The appropriate educational programmes and materials should be developed for Tsunami affected areas on a priority basis, based on the local needs and considerations.
• Frame work of sustainable practices towards rebuilding devastated fishing communities and ecosystems specially the sustainable ocean dependent livelihoods.
• Addressing issues of emotional devastation which is often greater than physical one- targeting most vulnerable groups and communities.
• Experience of the traditional age old early warning system
• The educational curriculum should have suitably designed disaster management content at all levels of education.
• The educational material for schoolchildren should have activities related to marine environment specially how to live in harmony with the ocean.
• Public should be provided appropriate information on ocean-related risks and instructions in safety and preparedness in case of disasters and emergency. Raising awareness about prevention, a key word, much better than cure. Development of the warning system is one way to achieve the goal. Development of the training and awareness programmes should constitute an essential part of the future warning system.
• The proper environmental impact assessment of the coasts should be done for recommending appropriate sustainable structures and protection measures.
• The future development in Tsunami and other disaster affected areas should be planned in a sustainable manner.
• The reconstruction and rebuilding efforts should be focussed towards sustainable livelihood of communities.

Click here to view the concept paper that formed the basis for the workshop discussions...