[Gong Wooi Khoon]

Dear Friends,

First of all, we would like to use this forum to thank all the participants of the recent GEF/UNEP SCS Mangrove Training Course for their enthusiasm and active participation in all the activities. It was great to have a group that worked so well together right from the start and was so willing to share experiences and exchange ideas. Ong and I certainly learnt a lot from you on many aspects (including the problems you face) of managing mangroves in your various countries; as well as on “scientific” aspects like recent developments on carbon trading (thanks Phuong), and also other important things like some special tricks of photography (thanks Su Bo) and new computer “gimmicks” (thanks Zhou)! Thanks are also due to our own mangrove model (Tinh); economist (Mai); Mo and Qiu for showing us the small mangroves in Guangxi and explaining how important these are; Bert for bringing in fisheries aspects without fail; Vener and Edwin for their keen interest and persistence in questioning the Matang foresters; Eri, Marcel and Odang for constantly pointing out the many “physical” similarities between the Batu Ampar mangroves and Matang and Merbok; our champion crab catcher (Sam Aun); our most enthusiastic and efficient mollusc catcher-and-identifier (Cheewarat); our most capable class “monitor” (Bansok) and speech-presenter (Sothanine); our Mr. Conservation (Amporn) and our school-teacher & main entertainer/dancer (Wadee). Last but not least, we would like to thank Suhaili for so sportingly and ably taking all the criticisms and comments that we “hurled” at him as he was our only “local participant”! Many thanks to all of you!

Now, as to the question of whether or not scientific knowledge is needed for sound management decisions: we, of course, agree with all of you who have posted replies on this e-forum saying that yes, there is no doubt that scientific knowledge is necessary. A few (Wadee and Bansok included) pointed out that whilst the managers could well understand the science, at the local/community level, many “resource users” may not understand the science and it is necessary to present them the scientific basis for management in simple terms so that they can understand better how they too can contribute to using the mangroves in such a way that the mangroves are sustained for the long term. Wadee also pointed out the need to make use of the experience of the local people. These are very relevant points and I think all the participants appreciated how the local cockle-rearer (also contractor for thinning) Ah Miang as well as the charcoal kiln operator (Mr. Chuah) of the Matang Mangroves, had such a good understanding of the basic science as well as appreciation for the need to keep the mangrove ecosystem intact and how to do this by not over-exploiting, the need to keep plants for seed production, the importance of mangroves to fisheries etc. In his message on this forum, Bert mentioned that there is now “co-management” of the mangroves by the national government, local government and coastal communities and there are various education campaigns to educate the public on mangroves.

I think I will stop here and not labour the point that scientific knowledge is indeed necessary for sound management. So, once again, thank you for being such good course participants and also for participating in this e-forum. Lights out please (thank you Sam Aun)!

Ong joins me in sending our best regards,

Gong