Assessing the Living resources of the Gulf of Mannar (GoM) Location of Gulf of Mannar Assessment of coral reefs in the Interviewing stakeholders Gulf of Mannar Introduction Objectives Nestled in the ocean between the southeastern . Asses the status of living ressources in the coast of India and the northwestern coast of Sri coastal-marine environnent Lanka and bounded in the north by the Adam’s . Identify conservation policies, management Bridge, the Gulf of Mannar (GOM) is rich in options and legal and institutional improvements biodiversity including mega fauna such as whales, . Engage multiple stakeholders, improve dolphins, dugong and sea turtles. awareness and arrive at medium to long term interventions Uncontrolled resource exploitation using destructive fishing methods, pollution resulting from industrialization of coastal areas and urban Outputs development and climate change related impacts are the common threats to this water body and the . Assessment of the status of sensitive people dependent from ocean resources of GOM. ecosystems and habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangroves Collection of information on the status of Fishing and related activities support the coastal . species including mega fauna communities in the Gulf, both in India and Sri . Review of conservation policies and legislation, Lanka. Despite having two of the largest marine identification of gaps and government capacity Protected Areas in the Gulf, there is little building on potential improvements information for adaptive management of this valuable globally important resource base while . Improved awareness on issues and providing sustainable livelihood opportunities. agreements on interventions among stakeholders This project was started in September 2012 with Outcomes the aim to address information gaps that are required to strengthen strategies and institutional . An improved understanding and appreciation of arrangements for managing issues of species, ecosystems and habitats such as coral overexploitation of resources, biodiversity loss, reefs, seagrass meadows and mangroves on habitat degradation and minimizing the vulnerability both sides of the Gulf of coastal ecosystems and communities also . Improved awareness among stakeholders on considering climate change impacts. threats to ecosystems and livelihoods . Improved capacity of government officials to develop legal and institutional systems to make Gulf of Mannar resources sustainable and livelihoods are resilient Having collected required information and improving stake holder engagement and capacity in December 2014 senior officials of governments of India and Sri Lanka deliberated on medium to long term solutions towards addressing GOM related ecosystem and livelihood issues. Both countries unanimously agreed on nine recommendations as a major strategy. Healthy coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar Nine recommendations endorsed by both countries at the terminal workshop of the project: . To set up a cooperating mechanism within the existing bi-lateral framework of the Government of India and Sri Lanka . To enhance knowledge on ecological characters of the GoM and conducting impact assessments within the existing bi-lateral framework of the Government of India and Sri Lanka . To enhance knowledge on ecological characters of the GoM and conducting impact assessment. To ensure conservation of resources and restoring fisheries habitats Participants of terminal workshop of the project on living ressources . To ensure effective stakeholder participation of Gulf of Mannar held in December 2014, Delhi, India . To adopt a holistic approach to fisheries management . To promote livelihood options . To strengthen institutions and systems . To introduce certification mechanisms for products . To foster south-south cooperation in marine research, dissemination of data and information, technology transfer and disaster early warning Project was implemented by IUCN country offices in India and Sri Lanka with support from the Mangroves for the Future Initiative. About IUCN IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO Members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 45 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. IUCN in Sri Lanka was established in 1986 and is guided by IUCN’s mission and the environmental concerns embodied in successive National Environmental Action Plans of the Government of Sri Lanka. www.iucn.org .