Trinational Sea Turtle Training
The Marine Research Foundation based in Malaysia conducted a Trinational Sea Turtle Training in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on September 6-8, 2006. A total of 35 participants from the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia attended the training workshop. Participants were trained in the biology, ecology and value of marine turtles, attributes which impact conservation, management needs, options and practical interventions, community based management, investigation and research methods, data analysis and interpretation, legislation and relevant conventions. Priorities for conservation and research were discussed among participants who are expected to implement these priorities into their respective sea turtle conservation and management action plan when they return to their respective agency units. A general framework for a network of protected areas for sea turtles within the SSS was also discussed in the wrap-up discussions.
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Marine Mammal and Turtle
Stranding Rescue
The Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) organized a marine mammal and turtle stranding rescue training workshop on October 4-6, 2006 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The training focused on the biology and conservation of marine mammals and turtles, data collection and handling techniques in times of strandings. One of the trainees was the Municipal Agricultural Officer (MAO) of Cagayancillo. 33 trainees completed the course.
Dr. Terry Aquino, CI-Sulu Sulawesi Seascape consultant on marine mammals (right) leading the rescue of a beached pilot whale in Brgy. Tanabag, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines. She is assisted by Mr. Harvey Garcia (left) of Conservation International – Palawan Field Office (Photo © CI/Art Faburada).
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Seaweed Farming Development
A grant made out to the University of the Philippines is supporting the project entitled “Assessment of the Seaweed Resources and Farming as livelihood in the Balabac Marine Biodiversity Conservation Corridor and the Potential for Seaweed Farming Development of Adjacent Areas”. The mobilization phase of this project included partner capability building where assistants, 25 students and an instructor of WPU were trained on seaweed farming and seaweed biodiversity (taxonomy) with hands-on activities on herbarium and slide preparation for taxonomic studies
Pilot-testing for seaweed development as alternative source of livelihood in the Balabac Strait Corridor (photo © CI/W.Azucena).
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Integrated Coastal Management Training Course in Verde Passage
Coastal Management and Governance
The Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development conducted the first Integrated Coastal Management Training Course in the Verde Passage on October 16 – 27. 29 participants from local government units (LGUs) attended the course. LGU Representatives from the provinces of Batangas (Batangas Provincial Office and municipalities of Batangas City, Bauan, Balayan, Lobo, Nasugbu, San Juan and Tingloy), Oriental Mindoro (Oriental Mindoro Provincial Office and Calapan City) and Palawan (Balabac and Palawan Sustainable Council for Development or PCSD) (Annex 1 Directory of Participants). The training course was also attended by resource persons/facilitators from PCAMRD, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), UP Tacloban, UP Los Baños, First Philippine Conservation Incorporated (FPCI) and Users Perspective with Agricultural Research and Development (UPWARD) and Training Staff from PCAMRD.
Tanggol Kalikasan (TK) in partnership with the Batangas State University conducted two Environmental Governance training workshops in Mabini and Bauan A total of 65 participantsthe training course.
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Environmental Governance
The Training on Sustainable Fisheries Management in the Context of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (SFM-CCRF) was conducted on 13 to 18 August 2007 at the Lima City Hotel, Lima Technology Center, Malvar, Batangas.
Twenty-four participants attended the training course. The participants were representatives from the LGUs of the provinces of Batangas (Batangas Provincial Government – Environment and Natural Resources Office, and municipalities of Batangas City, Balayan, Calatagan, Lobo, Mabini, Nasugbu, and San Juan), and Oriental Mindoro (Oriental Mindoro Office of the Provincial Agriculture and municipalities of Baco, Calapan City, Puerto Galera and San Teodoro). The Corridor Coordinators of the Sulu Sulawesi Seascape Project from Verde Passage, Balabac Strait and Cagayan Ridge also participated in the training-workshop. The training course was also attended by resource persons/facilitators (Annex 2) from PCAMRD, Bicol University (BU), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Mindanao State University (MSU), Tanggol Kalikasan (TK) and UP Visayas and Training Staff (Annex 3) from PCAMRD.
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Law Enforcement Training - I
In the Balabac Strait Marine Biodiversity Conservation Corridor, CI is working with Tanggol Kalikasan Foundation, Inc. (TK) to orient local stakeholders in environmental laws. TK conducted two Law Enforcement Trainings for local stakeholders in the Balabac Strait Corridor, one of the hotspots for various illegal activities in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape. The first training was conducted on August 28-31, 2006 and participated in by 52 people coming from the Municipal Government of Balabac, members of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coastguard stationed in the area, members of the Philippine National Police, including Barangay Captains (elected village leaders), who all play important roles in the enforcement and implementation of environmental laws. The training included an orientation on the Philippine Fisheries Code and the Wildlife Act as well as other relevant laws. It also gave the trainees the opportunity to learn how to examine fishes caught by illegal means such as bombing (dynamite) and poisoning (sodium and cyanide). Sessions on the proper way of arresting, seizure, boarding the boats and detention of violators, including the use of arms and communication equipment were conducted.
Spotting an illegally caught fish - by poisoning or by blasting — is part of the training organized by Tanggol Kalikasan to orient local stakeholders about environmental laws.
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Law Enforcement Training - II
A second round of enforcement training was conducted for fishermen groups such as members of the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) along with other volunteer groups called Bantay Dagat (Guardians of the Sea) who are deputized and may implement citizens’ arrest against violators of environmental laws. This was conducted on September 20-24, 2006, also in the municipality of Balabac. 70 participated in this training course.
On-the-ground law enforcement training for MFARMC officials and Bantay Dagat (Guardians of the Sea) Volunteers in Balabac.
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Paralegal and Deputy Fish
Warden Training
The Training/Workshop was conducted in December 11-14, 2006. It was convened in partnership with the Batangas Police Provincial Office and WWF-Philippines. A total of 49 people coming from various police stations in Batangas province and staff of concerned organizations such as BFAR, DENR and partner NGOs attended the training.
The training aims to provide the local PNP with the necessary information and knowledge in the enforcement of fishery and environmental laws, rules and regulations (RA 8550; PD 705; RA9147; RA7586). Likewise, it seeks to enhance the skills of local policemen in the application of these fisheries and environmental laws while equipping them with the essential techniques in the aspect of persecution. The training also aimed to establish and train the Police Environment Desk Officer (PEDO) which shall be responsible in monitoring and supporting the prosecution of illegal fishing and other environmental law violations.
The training workshop came out with the following agreements, options and recommendations:
- Planning seminar involving top level managers of the PNP, BFAR and other key agencies
- PNP top level directives to provide police assistance to volunteer groups
- Conduct of seminar for fish examiners from among the workshop attendees
- Identification of restricted areas and placing of markers/buoys along the Verde Passage Corridor
- Conduct of awareness campaigns in strategic barangays and surrounding municipalities, fishing vessels (forums, seminars)
- Training for prosecutors, judges, and other key stakeholders
- Representation with respective LGUs on problems, re: logistics and personnel
- Batangas PNP—direct all COP at the Verde Passage Corridor (coastal municipalities) to include barangay dialogues with fisherfolk: IEC EO 578 and RA 8550
- Task Force Headquarters to be placed in strategic areas within the Passage.
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Code of Conduct for
Responsible Fisheries
The Training on SFM-CCRF is a 5-day training activity designed for fisheries managers. The training focuses on the a) Scenarios and Issues on the State of the Fisheries Resources, b) Relevance of CCRF to Sustainable Fisheries Management, c) National and Local Adaptation of CCRF in the Philippines, d) Sustainable Fisheries Management, and e) Integration of Sustainable Fisheries Management into Integrated Coastal Management. The course makes use of cases and derives lessons from local experiences for possible adaptations in response to specific conditions. Participatory training methodologies, i.e., practical exercises, lecture-discussions, workshops, games and case studies are utilized to encourage participation.
The objective of the training course is to develop among the participants the skills and knowledge of a fisheries manager. At the end of the training course, the participants were able to: 1) describe scenarios and issues related to the state of fisheries resources at the global, regional, national and local level; 2) articulate the significance and need for sustainable fisheries management; 3) explain how CCRF will address identified fisheries management issue in the local context; 4) identify regional and national initiatives in support of CCRF as well as constraints on implementation at the national and local levels; 5) understand sustainable fisheries management objectives, considerations, measures and approaches and describe fisheries management process; 6) understand basic concepts of ICM and mechanisms of integration of fisheries management to ICM; and 7) explain and apply international laws, national laws, conventions/agreements, and instruments/policies, relevant to fisheries management and recommend institutional arrangements for sustainable fisheries management.
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Socioeconomic Monitoring (SocMon-1)
Southeast Asia Training Course
The ‘Socioeconomic Monitoring (SocMon) – Southeast Asia Training Course’ was conducted from 5-7 March 2007 at the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Training Center and the Palawan State University Performing Arts Center in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines. This training equipped 30 participants with a methodology for collecting and analyzing socio-economic information useful for coastal management at the site level. It was intended to equip practitioners/users with the SocMon’s monitoring concepts and practical application mechanics. The range of a socio-economic indicators and assessment, with certain issues such as gender, stakeholder perception, governance and markets, were highlighted and explained.
Participants also visited two villages in Puerto Princesa to pilot the methodologies learned from the lectures and workshops. The training objectives were to: (1) train a pool of users or specialists on SocMon theory and methodology; (2) collect primary data; (3) conduct preliminary analysis of primary data gathered; and (4) develop work plans for application in other areas. In total, there were 30 participants who attended the training. They were representatives from national government agencies (Palawan Council for Sustainable Development/ Staff, Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau); non-government organizations (Conservation International-Philippines [CIP], World Wildlife Fund - Philippines [WWF-Philippines] ); academe (University of the Philippines (UP), Palawan State University (PSU); and local government units (City Governments of Isabela, Basilan and Puerto Princesa).
The workshop was jointly organized by CI-SSS, Palawan State University, the City Government of Pto. Princesa and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development. Ms. Christy Loper, Global Socmon Coordinator of NOAA and Dr Andre Jon Uychiaoco of UP Marine Science Institute were the resource persons. Dr Robert S Pomeroy served as the lead trainer during the three-day activity. The training was funded with US$10,000 provided through NOAA.
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Data Analysis Training (SocMon-2)
The Data Analysis Training was a sequel to the SocMon Southeast Asia Training Course and intended to capacitate the SocMon partners in the analysis of their respective data sets and achieve the following objectives:
1. re-convene the active SocMon training participants;
2. encode the data in suitable database;
3. undertake the actual data analysis;
4. prepare the initial analysis report;
5. enhance the capability of the participants to process/analyze their data/information; and
6. guide the trainees for data repatriation to the local stakeholders
This training was likewise funded by NOAA (US$5,000) and was similarly organized by Conservation International –Philippines (CIP), Palawan State University (PSU), Palawan Council for Sustainable Development / Staff (PCSDS) and the City Governmant of Puerto Princesa (CGPP). It was attended by 19 participants and facilitated by experts based in Palawan.
The SocMon Data Analysis training-workshop has two main outputs. These are:
- Trained participants in analysis of SocMon data sets
- Training guide for data coding, processing and analysis
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Biodiversity Conservation Training / Workshop for Journalists
Journalists from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines together with workshop organizers from CI-Philippines and WWF-Malaysia before the formal opening of the workshop in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia last May 23-25, 2007.
Conservation International Philippines and Indonesia in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature – Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia), sponsored a biodiversity conservation training/workshop for journalists last May 23-25, 2007 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. The workshop was part of the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape Project’s communication and awareness campaign targets in the region.
The training/workshop was designed and conducted for journalists and media practitioners for them to become partners in the drive to heighten awareness among stakeholders in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape. The campaign is for media practitioners to take on the role of facilitators not just to inform but encourage people to take active roles in biodiversity conservation. The workshop was participated in by 13 journalists coming from the local and national media networks in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
The Journalists’ Biodiversity Training/Workshop was highlighted by a crash course on marine ecosystems and its biodiversity, and presentations on the major issues in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape and the larger Coral Triangle as well. Overall, the training/workshop made it possible for the media practitioners to gain an appreciation of the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape and understand the concept of seascapes and marine biodiversity conservation corridors, while also stressing their importance to both marine life and human welfare.
The journalists on the other hand shared and talked about the challenges and opportunities in covering environmental issues in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape amidst the preference of media networks in the region for more political and sensational type of news and information. Issues were discussed and steps were identified on how members of the mass media can become better partners in the drive to promote biodiversity conservation as a way of life. An appreciation tour of the marine ecosystem was also made through a field exposure in the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park in Kota Kinabalu.
During the workshop both sides came out with strategies for research, writing, production and placement of Seascape stories for mass media channels such as newspapers, radio and television. A network of journalists was also formed who will take up the challenge of disseminating stories in and around the Seascape.
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In-house Training on
Microsoft Access
The SSS team, all 12 key staff, underwent an in-house training on Microsoft Access - a basic approach for purposes of databanking and data, grants, and office management. The training was conducted in August 29-30, 2007 at the CI-Philippines Office.
The training aims to familiarize the SSS Staff members with the relational database and Access DBMS. IT also equipped the SSS staff to create an access database using the four basic functionalities in Access, namely, tables, data entry forms, reports and queries as well as build a sample fish database from access using species data and the four basic functionalities of Access.
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