Our Blue Future – A Multi-stakeholder Initiative for Inclusive Sustainable Blue Economy (ISBE) in the Western Indian Ocean

Healthy marine and coastal ecosystems are essential for food security, livelihoods, and wealth for the 60 million people living along the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). However, unsustainable use of marine and coastal resources puts ecosystems and economic development at risk.

Our Blue Future (OBF), a multi-stakeholder initiative for advancing inclusive sustainable blue economy (ISBE) in the region, is working with its currently 24 partners across the region and sectors to catalyze innovation and achieve long-term environmental and socio-economic impact.

An ISBE is defined as one in which countries and people can derive a source of value and wealth from diverse, productive, and resilient ecosystems while simultaneously protecting, maintaining, and restoring them to provide social and economic benefits.

OBF is becoming an inclusive, well-resourced, highly effective public–private–civil society transformation network that helps empower communities, governments, and businesses to foster an ISBE.

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Concessions for managing the impacts of oil and gas exploration in Uganda

Strategies have been developed and implemented in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP),to achieve a critical balance between newly discovered oil for extraction and maintaining the extensive biodiversity in the area. National agencies,companies and PA managers jointly developed strict guidelines which must be adhered to during the exploration phase and beyond. Biodiversity surveys and mapping and biodiversity surveys helped identify sensitive areas avoid.

Community Use Zones (CUZ)

Sabah Parks, Malaysia, uses community use zones (CUZ) as an innovative management concept. In CUZ, indigenous communities are allowed to carry out traditional activities under the supervision of the Parks Authority. Needs of local communities and conservation objectives are balanced, by encouraging communities’ participation in park management and preserving their culture. Eco-tourism development, handicraft, beekeeping and other programs provide job opportunities.

Community-based natural resource management: The Event Book System Namibia

The Event Book System is an example of sustainable Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) used in many communal conservancies throughout Namibia, which allows communities to contribute to decision making in natural resource management. The main contributing factors facilitating sustainable CBNRM programmes include community involvement, multi-level implementation, simplification and standardization of methods and motivation of local community members.

Market research data used to facilitate visitor experience

Parks Canada utilize surveys, monthly research panels and purchase data from market research firms to better understand what tourists want and expect during a visit to a protected area. In collaboration with the Canadian Tourism Commission and Environics Canada, the agency has identified 9 distinct experiential user types who visit Canadian parks, such as a ‘Personal History Traveller’, which are then used to ensure visitors enjoy memorable and tailored experiences.

Formalizing transboundary protected area governance

South Africa and Namibia have formulated a ‘Joint Operation Strategy’, a treaty signed by both governments, which oversees the management of Richtersveld National Park (SA) and Ai/Ais Hot Spring Game Park (N). The strategy ensures that management plans, community involvement and income generation projects for the parks are collaboratively planned and all decisions must be reached unanimously through joint governing boards and committees.

Murray Darling Basin Plan

Through a deliberate strategy of getting Parliament votes and media attention, the Murray Darling Basin Plan was passed through Federal Parliament in 2013. The Darling River is one of the largest in Australia and runs from north to south. The Darling River flows into the Murray River and had been reduced to a trickle at the mouth due to big ag’s water usage for irrigation. A consortium of community members spent 10 years getting this plan passed.

Forest conservation through building on indigenous knowledge

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Marine protected area learning site for the Coral Triangle

The high ecological importance of the three islands of Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia located in the heart of the Coral Triangle Center is used for developing a MPA learning site. It addresses the lack of formalization of natural resource management and inadequate protection of marine biodiversity with main institutional strategies to foster platforms for on-the-ground learning and sharing of knowledge and skills about tropical marine conservation.

Coral Gardening for Climate Change Adaptation in Vanuatu

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Fish Forever in Brazil: Solution for community-based fisheries management

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Technical components:

Replanting of mangroves
Sustainable mangrove management, including cultivation of fast growing alternative species
Introduction of beekeeping as a sustainable alternative livelihood
Promotion of ecotourism