Background Science for Management

7.4 Priorities for Next Quarter July 1 – September 30, 2007

i Work with WIOMSA to develop online systems to track mariculture activities in the region i Complete content evaluation and load information on mariculture cross-portfolio learning topics into theme-based KMS at CRC i Launch third issue of Basins and Coasts newsletter i Continue to refine and update SUCCESS and IMCAFS websites; improve ‘Stories from the Field’ section specifically

8. Science for Management

8.1 Background

SUCCESS science for management includes two sub-components: 1 cross-project learning and, 2 site-level science for management. These are closely linked to the SUCCESS knowledge management and monitoring and evaluation activities. A primary premise of SUCCESS Program is that tangible benefits to quality of life through a livelihoods approach are a necessary but not alone sufficient condition to sustained success of ICM programs. Unfortunately, there is a growing body of anecdotal evidence suggesting many livelihood activities are not increasing household income in coastal communities, or reducing pressure on coastal and marine resources. For this reason, SUCCESS selected this topic as the main theme for a cross-portfolio global learning agenda. Since all three field sites and the associate award site in Thailand have significant livelihood components, they provide living laboratories for this learning agenda, and local partners involved in their implementation are clients for the learning outputs. The learning agenda was launched in earnest in Year 3. Two main outcomes are expected: • Assessment project livelihood strategies on coastal households, and ICM initiatives • Improved understanding of factors leading to successful and unsuccessful livelihood components of ICM initiatives The learning agenda intends to use these findings as a basis for achieving additional outcomes: • A set of recommended strategies that improve the probability of achieving successful livelihood activities as part of marine conservation and resource management initiatives • Improved capacity built among local partners for integrating successful livelihood strategies into on-going ICM initiatives • Information, including a training module, made available to donors and practitioners on how to design and implement better livelihood strategies The microenterprises and beneficiaries in Thailand and Tanzania were studied in Year 3, with quantitative surveys conducted in February and March, 2007. In Year 4, similar qualitative case studies will be conducted in Nicaragua and Ecuador. A second component of the SUCCESS learning agenda iswas to conduct biodiversity threats assessments for each of the SUCCESS field sites. Working with partners in the field, assessments were completed for Nicaragua, Ecuador and Tanzania. The three assessments identified existing 34 and anticipated direct and indirect threats to biodiversity in each site. They also described local biodiversity conservation efforts that address these threats. The assessments recommend conservation goals and targets, suggest investmentsactivities to address priority threats, and as necessary, recommend adaptations to the current SUCCESS goals and activities in each site. A third SUCCESS learning component is to revisit and improve the governance baselines for Ecuador and Nicaragua. These baselines were revised during this reporting period.

8.2 Site-Specific