Complete characterization and vulnerability assessment reports Information sharing and engagement for vulnerability assessment and estuary characterization Initiating governance mechanisms

35 damage. Poor waste water and sanitation facilities at the fish landing sites has created unhygienic fishing handling and processing conditions that require urgent attention. The study tour to Senegal by women groups will provide an opportunity to initiate early actions on shoreline sanitation improvements in Axim and Sawoma. The contributions of partners has been important to the Ankobra ecosystem based management effort. DQF has carried out extensive contact and communication with Sawoma and Axim, identified and trained a large number of micro, small and medium sized enterprises in preparation for fisheries value chain improvement projects such as the adoption of improve fish smoking technology. SNV included the Ankobra in its coast wide analysis of the wood supply value chain for fish smoking. The Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project began work on mangrove conservation and restoration within the lower watershedmangrove system area. Activities in Year 2 will take place on the following:

4.3.1 Complete characterization and vulnerability assessment reports

Year 2 activities will first of all involve completion of the ecosystem characterization and the coastal vulnerability assessments early in the first quarter. This is carry-over work not fully completed in Year 1. More detailed profiles of the characteristics of estuary resource users and their use patterns will be completed.

4.3.2 Information sharing and engagement for vulnerability assessment and estuary characterization

The assessment and associated information for the Axim and Ankobra areas will be shared with Nzema East Municipal Assembly through a workshop with the District in an effort to build support for joint district management of shared natural resources along the Ankobra.

4.3.3 Initiating governance mechanisms

A proposal will be made to establish an estuarine management committee that can oversee and act as a discussion forum for the ongoing progress and options for management and adaptation. Among the key topics for the committee is exploring the establishment of a Joint District Planning Group with Nzema East and Ellembelle District Assemblies. At the same time, the project will continue to seek dialogue with Adamus Resource both to share information and foster engagement with the District and any potential Joint Development Planning Area Detailed analysis of satellite imagery will be conducted to build upon initial effort in year one to produce land use land cover data for the Ankobra estuary ecosystem. The land cover will be extracted from 2013 RapidEye imagery and will follow the same protocol that was used during the ICFG initiative. The land cover data will provide the baseline for detailed mangrove mapping in the Ankobra estuary. The products from these mapping efforts will support improved management and lay the ground for updating the spatial plans for both Nzema East and Ellembelle districts to incorporate uses that are conservation oriented and support the fishery habitat.

4.3.4 Early actions for community resilience