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Basic Project INFO

FOCAL AREA:
Biodiversity
PROJECT TITLE:
Patagonian Coastal Management Plan
PROJECT NUMBER:
COUNTRY:
PROJECT STATUS:
Phase 1 Completed (1991-1996)
Phase 2; Consolidation and Implementation of the PCZMP

PROJECT DOWNLOAD (WORD)

Patagonian Coastal Management Plan

Facts and figures

Argentina's 1,500 mile long southwestern coastal zone, extending from Rio Negro to the Beagle Channel, forms the border of one of the world's richest, most productive marine ecosystems. It is used by migratory birds and marine mammals, many of which live in highly concentrated interdependent colonies. The coastal zone also provides 60 per cent of the fish taken by Argentina's national fisheries.

Although only about 700,000 people (less than 2 percent of the country's population) live along the coastline - approximately 100,000 of whom derive their livelihoods from fisheries or wildlife-based tourism - it is feared that accelerating population growth will increasingly threaten the region's biodiversity and environment.

The resources of the Patagonian coastline make major contributions to Argentina's economic output which include oil (US$1.1 billion); fisheries (US$ 400 million); and tourism (US$ 50 million).

Project description

The first phase of the Patagonian Coastal Management Programme sought to provide the necessary tools for the sustainable uses of the region's natural resources, paying particular attention to the needs and interests of local communities. Main activities were centred around four areas: i) to upgrade baseline data, management techniques and legislation on coastal resources relevant to the protection of biodiversity; ii) to establish a participatory process to integrate the information that will be the basis of the PCZM Plan. iii) To upgrade institutional and human capabilities for responsible coastal management; and iv) to promote community participation in the management process

Phase 2 : Consolidation and Implementation of the PCZM Plan

Implementation of the plan was accompanied by activities such: i) extending the technical information survey to Tierra del Fuego and updating the original baseline survey and its recommendations; ii) strengthening the wildlife conservation capacities of Fundacion Patagonia Natural (the implementing agency); iii) training members of the coastal community in public participation; iv) establishing new protected areas and strengthening existing ones; v) developing biodiversity friendly practices in coastal tourism and fisheries; and vi) conducting a enhanced public awareness programme.

SELECTED PROJECT ACTIVITIES/RESULTS

One of the project's greatest strengths has been its implementing partnership with the Fundacion Patagonia Natural - a well-respected NGO consisting of scientists, conservationist and leading figures in Patagonia society. Close collaboration with the Fundacion, which enjoys the trust of both the government and public, provided the project team with an existing network of contacts in provincial government, central government institutions, academia, leading businesses and the media.
During the 1980s and partially in the 1990s, an estimated 40,000 Magellanic penguins died annually as a result of oil pollution in the sea. Today, penguin mortality has decreased to less than 4,000 birds each year. Much of this is attributable to the project's influence in improving the management of oil transport by sea. (See legal) As a result, the population of penguin colonies is stable, with benefits to tourism and local ecosystems.
The Patagonian Coastal Zone Management Plan was published (in 1996?) covering issues such as coastal protected areas, sustainable fisheries, responsible tourism and pollution prevention. Project activities were designed to be carried out in a simultaneously and integrated way.

Implementation of the plan focused on particular objectives including: creating an institutional framework to implement the plan; promoting management actions included plan; incorporating the province of Tierra del Fuego into the project; creating a network of coastal protected areas and designing demonstration low-impact, high revenue pilot projects on fisheries and tourism.

A waste collection service has been introduced for ships in the bay of Port Madryn. Ships' refuse, bilge and ballast waste is now collected by a specially adapted boat instead of being dumped or thrown overboard.
The project collected baseline information on Patagonia's marine birds and mammals so that future changes can be assessed. Research has focused on collecting scientific data rather than investigating economic, legal and institutional forces.
Two major documents, one containing a diagnosis of the state of coastal wildlife, fisheries and pollution and the other an analysis of the Patagonian coastal economy related to biodiversity issues were produced, during the as well as 42 technical reports presenting the project's research results.
A three-year scientific survey of the entire coastline evaluated the situation of natural resources, their use and the benefits they provide for communities. More than 150 people, from 24 institutions. NGOs and government agencies participated in the survey
A Coastal Biodiversity Map was developed by Fundación Patagonia Natural (FPN) and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).The map organizes, analyzes and describes the main identified problems related to Patagonian Coastal Biodiversity and also incorporates some of the research carried out by the first phase of the Patagonian Coastal Zone Management Plan project between 1993 and 1996. (The map has been adapted for use in classroom activities. See below).
A model was produced with the Stella modeling system to demonstrate the economic consequences of coastal biodiversity mismanagement.
Three public hearings on coastal management were held. The project formed another extremely productive partnership, this time with the Buenos Aires- based NGO Fundacion Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN), which mostly consists of lawyers dedicated to promoting participatory approaches to natural resources management. This pioneering use of public meetings encouraged other municipalities to use the technique, after it was first used in Puerto Madryn.
The project has been highly successful in incorporating the principles of sustainable development into public education, institutional strengthening and, through the discussion of ecological principles has promoted the principles of participatory democracy.
A 1994 survey of coastal fisheries discovered that for every species caught and used, as much as seven others were discarded. In some cases half of a boats' total catch would be discarded at sea. The project helped tackle this wasteful practice by working with the Fisheries Department to introduce 'on-board observers' to monitor by-catches. Fisheries can now be moved to a different sector of the sea if by-catch levels become unacceptable.
Although tourism is an important source of revenue and whale watching one of the most popular tourist activities, the project has been able to encourage boat operators to limit the number of whale watching tours to avoid disturbing whales and protect the long term prospects for tourism.
The project has acquired a large sheep farm (La Espernza) where professionals and volunteers are experimenting with combining sheep farming - the main economic activity in the interior - with the creation of a wild life reserve, including a sanctuary for pumas. Previously the prevailing attitude among Patagonian sheep farmers was that sheep and wildlife, including guanaco and pumas, could not co-exist. La Esperanza is also promoting more humane and environmentally friendly methods of sheep farming.

Legal

The project has succeeded in protecting coastal birds and mammals from oil pollution. A decade ago 40,000 penguins (about 10 percent of the total population) were dying each year from oil pollution from ships. However under the project's Coastal Management Plan tankers were requested to navigate more than 20 miles offshore which has minimized the risk of dangerous oil spills. This has now become part of Argentine maritime law.
National and provincial laws now require the completion of environmental impact assessments before any new development can be approved.

Communications

More than 4,000 volunteers participated in a national survey of coastal pollution along 2,000km of coastline. TV coverage of the event attracted an estimated audience of 7 million viewers.

Training and education

Ten courses, organized for biologists, fisheries observers, wildlife wardens, pollution specialist and fauna biologists, attracted more than 200 participants.
Teacher training courses on environmental education, held in 19 Patagonian cites, attracted 920 teachers.
Conservation and ecology studies have been introduced into the school curriculum and, through its website, the project has made available a selection of study topics and scientific experiments on themes such as biodiversity and pollution suitable for incorporation into natural and social sciences, technology, mathematics and ethics .
The project's Coastal Diversity Map has been adapted for use by teachers and pupils (4th, 5th and 6th grades of elementary schools) studying natural resources and biodiversity issues. The map, accompanying book and project website are designed to: prompt analysis and debate of sustainable use of coastal resources; promote discussion of environmental issues from a transversal approach; provide a classroom tool to analyze present knowledge on Patagonian natural resources; and teach students how to use maps applied to natural resources. The project website also encourages students undertaking environmental studies and research to communicate their results to local government,

Partners etc

Fundacion Patagonia Natural (FPN) http://www.patagonianatural.org/
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) http://www.wcs.org/
Fundacion Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN) http://www.farn.org.ar/ ,

Dedicated project website: http://www.patagonianatural.org/costapatagonica/

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