News

Farewell to El Nido

December 20 2018

CCRES farewelled the El Nido pilot site at our project closure event where we reported on the project’s achievements to local stakeholders who were so integral to delivery.

Networking strengthens coastal management

December 20 2018

Speed-dating, a doctor’s clinic and an ocean talk were three ways CCRES recently promoted its tools at regional and global oceans and water conferences.

Building friendships and business

December 20 2018

Building friendships, collaborating and helping to support businesses be part of the solution, are some of the memorable moments shared by two CCRES researchers.

Systems thinking to reach young minds

December 20 2018

SESAMME and SYSTORY are being integrated into lesson plans for elementary, junior high, senior high and college students at Palawan State University, the Philippines.

Philippine roll-out of MPA design tools

December 20 2018

CCRES continues to promote uptake by assisting local government and communities in strengthening coastal management.

Indonesian partners plan MPAs

December 20 2018

NGO and government partners in Indonesia are designing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for 27 locations across 34 provinces using CCRES’s MPA toolbox.

Researchers reflect on the impact of their work

September 19 2018

We asked two CCRES leaders about the most memorable part of their work so far and where they have seen CCRES research having an impact.

New trial inspires women to create value from plastic waste

September 19 2018

Researchers from the CCRES behaviour change and business development teams have delivered a new intervention designed to inspire coastal communities to create value from plastic waste.

Success of CCRES tool replicated in El Nido

September 19 2018

A pilot of My Future, My Oceans at El Nido in the Philippines has validated the use of the low-cost behaviour change tool outside of Indonesia.

MPA design tool roll-out begins in the Philippines

September 19 2018

CCRES and its partner the Marine Science Institute at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPMSI) ran a baseline workshop in Quezon City from 31 July to 1 August 2018, to kickstart the roll-out of the Rebuilding reef fisheries with marine protected areas (MPAs) toolbox.

Filipino trainees share their impact stories

September 19 2018

At the CCRES tools training workshops run earlier this year in Tagaytay, the Philippines, CCRES captured stories from trainees about how they hope the tools will help them and their organisations.

Water rise threatens coral reefs

September 19 2018

CCRES Chief Scientist Professor Peter Mumby has co-authored a Nature paper showing how at risk tropical coral reefs in the Indian and western Atlantic oceans are.

We say farewell and thank you to Selayar

September 19 2018

A special event to mark the formal close of CCRES activities at the project’s pilot site in Indonesia, Selayar, was staged during July.

Meet the team: Erik Simmons

Erik Simmons says his personal investment in the CCRES project stems from his devotion to fighting injustice with chaste and quality work, elegance and ingenuity.

Looking at waste management through a business lens

The CCRES Business Development team has been spreading the word amongst coastal communities on Selayar about how to use business solutions to address the critical issue of ocean plastics. Ocean plastics can have significant impacts on coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as human health. among

Eco-Biz finalists impress with strong start

Only three months after the finalist of the Selayar Eco-Biz Challenge were announced, CCRES business development team member Dr Anna Phelan is already impressed by the progress they’ve made.

Coming soon: CCRES apps

App versions of the CCRES tools SYSTORY and SESAMME are undergoing beta testing to iron out any final ‘bugs’ - and will soon be publicly available.

Tools training in Tagaytay, Philippines

As part of our final year focus on sharing knowledge and building expertise, workshops to train users in the CCRES tools were held in Tagaytay, the Philippines, during April 2018.

Indonesian trainees share experiences

CCRES has captured on video the experiences of participants of the successful tools training workshops in Makassar, Indonesia, that were run earlier this year.

My Future, My Oceans comes to El Nido

The low-cost CCRES behaviour change tool, My Future, My Oceans, is being piloted at El Nido in the province of Palawan, in the Philippines, in partnership with Ten Knots Development Corporation, this month.

CCRES makes waves at APCRS

Presenting to hundreds of attendees, CCRES made waves at the 4th Asia-Pacific Coral Reef Symposium (APCRS) in Cebu, Philippines last week.

Taking our tools to International Waters

A small CCRES team attended the Third Targeted Regional Workshop for Global Environment Facility (GEF) International Waters (IW) Projects from east Europe and Asia-Pacific (30 April - 2 May) and the First Annual Asia-Pacific Regional Network meeting (3-4 May).

Tools rollout, training promote uptake

Rollout of our CCRES tools has been in full swing in recent weeks as we delivered our second round of training workshops, and showcased the tools at events across the East Asia-Pacific.

Fisheries decision making with Fish SPACE

Fish SPACE is a software application for environmental managers and planners that shows the effects on fish stocks and fisheries of different marine reserve designs and fisheries management options.

Highlights and achievements

Read about our progress in the 2017 CCRES Annual Report and our highlights, now available for download.

El Nido’s Eco-Biz winners announced

Three winners and a runner-up were announced at the Eco-Biz Challenge Grand Final at El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, in January. The winners are Jonie Fernandez, Bryan Magnol and Ignacio Sayajon-Shyo and the runner-up is Sonia Yntas.

FishCollab fosters better coastal governance

Two coastal communities at our pilot site at Selayar in Indonesia have strengthened the governance and management of their coastal ecosystems and fisheries, as a result of their participation in the design of the CCRES behaviour change tool, FishCollab.

Providing advice for policymakers, planners

CCRES has released three policy briefs to assist policy makers and planners in different aspects of coastal management, as part of the Rebuilding reef fisheries with Marine Protected Areas (MPA) toolbox.

How will our tools be used, and by whom?

At the recent training on CCRES tools held in Makassar, Indonesia, participants were very enthusiastic about how the CCRES tools could be applied in their own or their organisation’s current and future work.

Tools training, roll out gets ‘thumbs up’

I am very happy to report that CCRES completed our first official training workshops in Indonesia during February.

Meet the team: Sophie Clayton

December 19 2017

As a trail runner who loves natural environments, Currie’s Sophie Clayton is very well placed to support CCRES as we head for the finish line.

Training in CCRES tools, resources on offer

December 19 2017

In 2018, CCRES is rolling out the innovative tools we have developed to support valuing ecosystems, analysing systems, sustaining business and promoting change.

Eco-Biz training encourages budding entrepreneurs

December 19 2017

Almost 80 semi-finalists in the CCRES Eco-Biz Challenge have undergone training, helping make their ecosystem-friendly business ideas a reality.

Low-cost tool empowers leaders, promotes change

December 19 2017

New research has confirmed that shifts in human psychology and behaviour achieved by CCRES’ low-cost behaviour change program, My Future, My Oceans, last May have been sustained.

Indonesian delegation trained in marine spatial planning

December 19 2017

Researchers and coastal planners from Indonesia have learnt the latest in marine spatial planning in Australia to help them manage reef fisheries and biodiversity.

CCRES kicks off 2018 with training for tools

December 19 2017

It is the end of 2017 and after developing, testing, validating and packaging CCRES inputs, we are ready to deliver the training on innovative tools and resources for valuing ecosystems, sustaining business and promoting change in the East Asia-Pacific.

Tool and resource roll-out in Indonesia

September 20 2017

The CCRES project’s roadshow of events to showcase its innovative, new tools and resources arrived in Indonesia during late July.

Roy Bero – Meet the Team

September 20 2017

Roy Bero, Site Coordinator for El Nido in the Philippines, organises field activities, and liaises with the local government, barangay (village) chairs, and communities.

Selayar Eco-Biz Challenge gains momentum

September 20 2017

Launched in July with an official opening by senior local government official on Selayar Pak Marjani, the Selayar Eco-Biz Challenge is attracting a lot of interest and stimulating sustainable enterprise ideas among the community.

Learning from simulated coastal scenarios

September 20 2017

The CCRES Systems Analysis team is researching socio-ecological problems in the coastal zone and has developed a coastal system model called SYSTORY, which can simulate the behaviour of terrestrial and marine coastal systems

Marine reserve design training in Manila

September 20 2017

Key people involved in establishing marine reserves in the Philippines joined a CCRES workshop to learn how to use marine reserves as fisheries management tools.

Selayar village advances its MPA plans

September 20 2017

Villagers of Bungaiya on Selayar, Indonesia, have joined with a CCRES Marine Protected Area (MPA) design expert to help them confirm the best location, size and number of their existing and planned MPAs.

Indonesia symposium highlights help available to rebuild fisheries

CCRES Chief Scientist Professor Pete Mumby recently spoke at Indonesia’s National Symposium on Coastal and Small Island Conservation 9-10 May 2017 in Jakarta about tools available to help position Marine Protected Areas to rebuild fisheries.

Pilot behaviour change program wheeled out at Selayar

With massively overweight suitcases full of training materials and workbooks, the ‘behaviour change’ team landed at Selayar, Indonesia, during May to deliver its positive environmental behaviour (waste management) pilot program.

Challenges, experiences, excitement

‘Challenges, experiences and excitement’ was the title of our first CCRES newsletter back in April 2014. Today, this headline remains central to the project’s ethos.

Tools, knowledge roadshow kicks off in the Philippines

A year-long schedule of events to showcase the innovative tools and knowledge developed by the CCRES Project kicked off at our pilot site in the Philippines, El Nido, during May.

Ecosystem-based business development workshop a huge success

In mid May the CCRES business development team created a buzz in Benteng, Selayar, Indonesia, by hosting and facilitating a five-day interactive Ecosystem-based Business Development (EbBD) workshop.

El Nido Eco-Biz Challenge Update

Businesses and entrepreneurs the world over need support if they are to succeed and grow and in El Nido, it is no different.

Meet the team: Ali Yansyah Abdurrahim

Like most of the CCRES team, human ecologist Ali Yansyah Abdurrahim from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), prefers field work to office work.

Eco-Biz Challenge now open in El Nido

Residents of El Nido have the opportunity to participate in the Eco-Biz Challenge, and win P50,000 to make their eco-friendly business idea a reality.

Meet the team: Dr Dedi Adhuri

An anthropologist by training, Dr Dedi Adhuri has more than 20 years’ experience in researching social conflict, ethnicity, marine resource management and governance, fisheries conflict, post-disaster coastal and fisheries rehabilitation and development, and community development.

Understanding reefs’ role in coastal defence

Protecting shorelines is a service provided by coral reefs - safeguarding communities, livelihoods and coastal infrastructure across the East Asia-Pacific.

Encouraging eco-friendly business ideas

Businesses help the economy and communities. They can also lead the way in environmental sustainability.

CCRES shines at Oceania Forum

Several CCRES researchers are set to take the stage at the Oceania Ecosystem Services Forum, to be held 27-31 March in Brisbane, Australia.

New tools, resources set for major rollout

A new plan for the rollout of innovative tools and resources for coastal planners and managers was prepared when more than 30 CCRES team members met in Bali during February.

Tools under development

The CCRES project is developing innovative tools that demonstrate the link between healthy coral reef, seagrass and mangrove ecosystems, and community welfare and, in doing so, assist coastal managers and planners to strengthen implementation of ecosystem management plans.

Seagrasses reduce bacteria, benefiting human welfare, marine life in Indonesia

February 17 2017

Seagrass meadows reduce bacteria pathogenic to humans and marine life by up to 50 per cent, a study in Indonesia co-funded by the Capturing Coral Reef & Related Ecosystem Services project (CCRES) and reported in Science magazine today has found.

More marine protected areas in the Coral Triangle will feed more, conserve species

January 07 2017

Creating more marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Coral Triangle region will increase fishers’ catches and feed more people, a study co-funded by the Capturing Coral Reef & Related Ecosystem Services project (CCRES) has found.

Innovative tools to be the focus in 2017

December 11 2016

As we come to the end of another busy year, it is wonderful to see the efforts of our team coming to fruition with the first tools, models and knowledge products emerging.

Pelagic fishing a strong option to alleviate pressures on local communities in Selayar

December 10 2016

Heavy fishing of coral reefs has had a serious effect on coral reefs in Selayar, the CCRES project’s pilot site in Indonesia. With most smaller villages relying on fishing for their livelihood, local communities find themselves facing increasing levels of poverty in light of declining reef ecosystems.

BioLEWIE team sets out to model changes to livelihoods, coral reef health at Selayar

December 10 2016

BioLEWIE’s second round of field research, this time in Selayar, was completed in October. Residents from 12 of the 52 villages in Selayar, the CCRES project’s Indonesian pilot site, were surveyed to map the economy and its reliance on the coral reef.

New study set to target positive household behaviours

December 10 2016

Destructive fishing practices, including bombing and cyanide poisoning, are a major problem for householders in Selayar, Indonesia, who rely on fisheries as their main source of food and income.

How productive is my reef?

December 10 2016

Knowing how many fishers can fish from a particular reef and understanding the specific impact of changes in habitat quality would be very useful to people managing coastal environments across the East Asia-Pacific.

From El Nido to Selayar for Bio-LEWIE

October 03 2016

In early September, Professor Jim Sanchirico and PhD student Amanda Lindsay began training workshops with Hasanuddin University in Makassar (UNHAS) faculty and students, commencing the Indonesian side of CCRES’s Bio-LEWIE project.

Going with the flow: Measuring currents in El Nido

October 03 2016

Leilani Solera and a team of researchers from University of Philippines Marine Science Institute travelled to El Nido in July to measure ocean currents.

Meet the team: Alasdair Edwards, Technical Steering Committee

October 03 2016

Professor Alasdair Edwards has been working to improve tropical coastal management for over thirty years.

CCRES at the SIMSEA Regional Symposium

October 03 2016

How do we design a research program for large marine ecosystems?

Data for watershed and plume modelling

October 03 2016

Researchers Bayosa Aya Carino-Valdez from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, Dr. Rene N. Rollon from the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, and Engr. Bryan Hernandez from the College of Engineering travelled to El Nido in August.

Sustainable behaviours in coast communities

October 03 2016

Two research teams investigating ways to promote sustainable behaviours in coastal communities made a scoping visit to Selayar, Indonesia, during September.

MPA design in Indonesia

October 03 2016

In September, CCRES hosted a hands-on workshop for practitioners, NGOs and government agencies to support improved Marine Protected Area (MPA) design for fisheries, held in Denpasar, Bali.

Seeking long term impact on ecosystem health and community wellbeing

October 03 2016

It was truly exciting to be back out in the field at our pilot site of Selayar, South Sulawesi in September and to be part of the discussions and planning with our team of psychologists, social scientists and marine ecologists in determining how CCRES can contribute towards making long-term, sustainable changes for communities in improving their health and wellbeing and sustaining their coastal ecosystems.

Understanding dynamics in coastal communities

September 24 2016

The systems analysis team is using the results from focus group discussions to develop simulation models

Business development for sustainable economic growth in Indonesia

September 24 2016

CCRES has welcomed Dr Agus Eko Nugroho, Pak Bintang Dwitya, and Ibu Nur Hadiati Endah from the Economic Research Center, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) as a new partner on the business development activity for Indonesia.

Analysing viable business opportunities for el nido

September 24 2016

The business team is continuing to finalise their analysis of the hospitality, value added, agriculture and fisheries sectors ready for work to commence on the development of new business opportunities.

Designing marine reserves to reconcile ecosystem service trade-offs

September 24 2016

The expansion of FISH-BE is well underway with consideration being given to incorporating the health of mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef habitats, tourism and coastal land use changes into the model, in a spatially explicit form.

Valuing coral reef fisheries productivity in relation to habitat

September 24 2016

Work continues on predicting coral reef fisheries productivity and their potential to change over time as the team continues to finalise data collection and collation, compare survey methods and revisit field sites for assessment.

Meet the team: Mark Paterson, Currie Communications, Australia

Mark Paterson believes that the people in our lives – family, friends and colleagues – serve to define us as individuals.

Meet the team: Yasuhiro Karakawa, Cornell University, Japan

Yasuhiro (Yasu) Karakawa has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world, helping them to reach and create new markets through the use of innovative branding, marketing and communications.

Meet the team: Lisda Haryani, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia

Lisda Haryani doesn’t allow fear to prevent her from doing the things she wants to do.

CCRES attends PEMSEA blue economy report planning

Coasts and oceans are some of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, providing an array of services that directly and indirectly support economic activity and growth.

Local advocates, training, relevance key to success

Involving project partners and other World Bank regional projects in the design and testing of CCRES tools is a priority, following a meeting of the Advisory Board in Jakarta last month (25-26 May).

Researchers, stakeholders get tools on track

What makes a management tool valuable? How do we get people interested in it? How do we ensure long-term benefits and use beyond the life of a project?

CCRES scientists head to ICRS2016

A plenary talk and several oral and poster presentations will be given by scientists working on the Capturing Coral Reef and Related Ecosystem Services (CCRES) project at the International Coral Reef Symposium (#ICSR2016) in Hawaii on 19-24 May.

Meet the team: Kubi Follosco, country coordinator

For Kubi Follosco, making a difference in people’s lives has been a recurring theme.

Meet the team: Novie Setianto, systems thinker

For Novie Setianto CCRES connects his curiosity in systems thinking with interdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement for the first time.

Understanding governance systems for MPA networks

Community leaders have different preferences in terms of ranking, rationalising and rating various ecosystem services based on their personal ideals and backgrounds, a study of how different stakeholders perceive marine protected area (MPA) networks and marine spatial planning (MSP) has revealed.

Meet the team: John Francisco A. Pontillas

The empowerment of in-country partners by international scientists to study local socio-ecological problems makes CCRES special, John Pontillas says.

Meet the team: Zul Janwar, spatial planner

February 25 2016

When Pak Zul Janwar isn’t hanging off the back of a manta tow surveying coral reefs, he enjoys diving and travelling, eating fried chicken with chili sauce and the musical stylings of 1980s rock group Van Halen.

Collaboration, feedback point us in the right direction

February 22 2016

Most scientists working on the Capturing Coral Reef & Related Ecosystem Services (CCRES) project find themselves outside their comfort zone at some point.

Tech committee meets at Manila workshop

February 22 2016

As we approach the mid-point of our project, CCRES is seeking input from technical experts to ensure our activities and findings are fully integrated, and lead to successful outcomes.

Meet the team: Jim Sanchirico, environmental economist

January 22 2016

For Dr Jim Sanchirico, one of the most satisfying pursuits in his life, personally and professionally, is helping others to achieve their potential.

CCRES co-convenes EAS2015 workshop

November 30 2015

Solving the most pressing challenges of our time requires that we capture the imagination, passion and knowledge of the many, rather than a select few

New SESAMME app maps coastal systems

November 16 2015

SESAMME, an iPad app, which enables researchers and stakeholders to build interactive pictures of socio-ecological systems, will be unveiled at the East Asian Seas 2015 Congress at Da Nang, Vietnam, this week.

UP MSI heads to PAMS, delivers keynotes

October 29 2015

CCRES team members from the University of Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) and De La Salle University (DLSU) attended the 13th National Symposium on Marine Science in General Santos City at Mindanao, Philippines, during October.

CCRES proudly names partners for Indonesia

September 14 2015

The Capturing Coral Reef & Related Ecosystem Services (CCRES) project is proud to announce partners from the government, scientific and university sectors in Indonesia.

Green light for fieldwork in Indonesia

Fieldwork at Selayar has begun, following the granting of research permits for CCRES international researchers to work in Indonesia.

Climate change impact on coral reefs ‘not fair’

All coral reefs suffer under climate change but the impacts on some countries are much lighter than would be considered ‘fair’ given their contribution to global warming and ocean acidification.

Engaging parents to promote behaviour change

Educating people about the benefits of the science behind sustainability has often failed to promote changes in the way coastal communities interact with their environment.

CCRES partners with PEMSEA EAS2015

CCRES is excited to partner with PEMSEA in staging the session, Accelerating actions for sustainable development and climate change, at the East Asian Seas 2015 Congress at Danang, Vietnam, on November 16-21, 2015.

Spotlight on spatial planning models, tools

A working group of scientists from four universities in the Philippines and Australia has been formed to research spatial modeling of fisheries and marine protected areas (MPAs).

Generating economic insights into local economies

The first model to pair bio-economics with a Local Economy-Wide Impact Evaluation model (Bio-LEWIE model) is being developed by CCRES at El Nido, Palawan, Philippines.

Focus on “accessible” products critical: Board

The knowledge products and technical models developed by CCRES should be accessible, scalable and transferable beyond the East-Asia Pacific region.

Philippines partners run focus groups

A series of focus groups facilitated by local partners in the Philippines, Palawan State University, El Nido Foundation and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development has been completed.

Valuing coral reef fisheries productivity, in relation to habitat

A food web model for coral reefs that accounts for the influence of coral reef structure and health on community dynamics is being developed by the CCRES project.

Study examines seagrass services to health

The role of seagrass beds for improving seaweed farming businesses is being studied by research teams at Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia, and Cornell University, Ithaca, US.

Measuring sedimentation in old-growth mangroves

The services which mangroves and seagrasses provide to coastal communities across the East Asia-Pacific region include preventing beach erosion and regulating water quality.

In-country partners train for focus groups

Before facilitating their first focus group discussions (FGDs) with leaders from local barangays our in-country partners get to rehearse with the CCRES Systems Thinking team.

Selayar visit evokes stories, spirits from the past

When the Regency of Selayar’s Vice Bupati, H. Saiful Arif, welcomed the CCRES team to Selayar in February, he touched on a fascinating cultural and trade connection between South Sulawesi and northern Australia that dates back centuries.

Selayar welcomes CCRES with open arms

February 17 2015

The island of Selayar, our pilot site in Indonesia, has officially welcomed CCRES to the archipelago in South Sulawesi, situated between the Java and Banda seas.

Coming together: 2015 Planning Workshop

February 13 2015

More than 50 scientists and coastal planners from Indonesia, the Philippines, the United States and Australia attended the first CCRES Annual Planning Workshop in February.

Monitoring ecosystems in El Nido

December 23 2014

by Leilani Solera. Identifying priority sites for ecosystem conservation requires knowledge on connectivity and habitat quality.

Connecting with communities through technology

December 14 2014

The Capturing Coral Reef and Related Ecosystem Services (CCRES) Project is using new technologies to engage with communities in El Nido to investigate socio-ecological problems such as food insecurity, fish catch decline, mangrove loss and water pollution.

Eye witness to a changing El Nido

September 18 2014

When Irma Rose “Maius” Marcelo was a small girl visiting El Nido to see family, she remembers entering the Población bay on her uncle’s boat as like gliding through an aquarium.

Science project to investigate value of coastal ecosystem services launched in the Philippines

The Capturing Coral Reef and Related Ecosystem Services (CCRES) Project is a regional technical support project that seeks to unlock new, sustainable income str

Relationships; it’s who you know

The fortunes of CCRES will depend in no small part on the partnerships the project forms with groups from the private, public and non-profit sectors

CCRES opens Manila office

CCRES has ‘set up shop’ in a new office in the Philippines, provided by the University of Philippines (UP) Marine Science Institute (MSI) at UP’s Dillman campus

Feedback loops, systems thinking

What makes CCRES different? Well, the answer may depend on who among the CCRES team you ask.

CCRES gets ‘tick of approval’

CCRES has been endorsed by the Protected Areas Management Board which governs the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area.

Meet the team: Miledel (‘Mags’) Quibilian

“My happy place” is how Miledel Christine (Mags) Quibilan describes El Nido, a municipality in Palawan selected as a pilot site in the Philippines for the CCRES

CCRES welcomes ‘in-country’ partners

Three influential stakeholders - representing local, provincial and national levels of government - have joined CCRES as ‘in-country’ partners.

Pilot site: El Nido, The Philippines

Progress has arrived in the tiny municipality on the northern-most tip of the island of Palawan, bordering the South China Sea, 620km south-east of Manila.

Challenges, experiences, excitement

After months of planning and obtaining approvals, we have just held our inception workshop in beautiful El Nido, Palawan, in the Philippines

UQ, World Bank & partners aim to unlock wealth streams in East Asia-Pacific

November 06 2013

The natural wealth of coastlines in the East Asia-Pacific is set to be unlocked for coastal communities, under an agreement between The University of Queenslan

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