Component 1: Research and Monitoring
1.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Assessment
1.3.1. Analysis of regional socio-economic and cultural aspects of seagrass (e.g. as input for Eco. valuation)
One of the bases of economic valuation of the South China Sea Project is that deep analysis of seagrass service functions for socio-economic and culture should be taken, including consideration of socio-eco valuation for seagrass. At least two workshops for the analysis of regional socio-economic and cultural aspects of seagrass should be conducted within the next 5 years.
1.3.2. Develop regional guidelines on socio-economic and cultural assessment related to seagrass
Assemble the research results of socio-economic and cultural assessment on seagrass and out standing scientists of socio-economic and cultural assessment for marine ecology, regional guidelines on socio-economic and cultural assessment related to seagrass should be developed. Two workshops should be held to discuss the draft of the regional guidelines. The final version of guidelines should be widely distributed in the region. Then two training courses should be taken for the guideline users.
Component 5: Resource and Habitat Management
5.8 Establishment of Management Zones
5.8.2. Establish a regional body for joint management of seagrass resources
Under the management framework of UNEP and the South China Sea Project, establish a regional body for joint management of seagrass resources. It should include National Focal Points, National Technical Points, National Seagrass sub-component Focal Points, and Mayors and Site Managers of seagrass demonstration Sites from 7 countries bordering the South China South and Gulf of Thailand. The regional body should hold annual meeting in order to discuss the regional situation and actions relating to seagrass resource management.
5.8.3 Establish seagrass habitat corridors
Based on the seagrass demonstration sites of the South China Sea Project, seagrass habitat corridors should be established in the each country of the South China Sea region. The habitat corridors could be National Reserve, Marine Park Area, or Fish Sanctuary, National Park etc. The added area by the year 2012 should be more than 4,590ha.
