Assessment of management effectiveness

in MPAs in the Western Indian Ocean

Nyawira Muthiga and Sue Wells

for IUCN-EARO with

Kenya Wildlife Service

Tanzania Marine Parks and Reserves Unit, Nature Seychelles

A contribution to IUCN WCPA’s initiative to assessmanagement effectiveness of protected areas

Supported by:

• UNEP/ICRAN• NORAD• Coastal Zone Management Centre of the

Netherlands

Evolution of WIO initiative

• Awareness raising workshop 2001

• Workbook based on WCPA/METF methodology

• Experience from Enhancing our Heritage Project (Aldabra/St Lucia)

• South Africa COMPARE method

• Testing workbook in pilot sites

Assessment framework

Context

Planning

Inputs

Outcomes

Outputs

Process

Adapt and learn

Assessment Process

• Introductory training workshop, Malindi

• Emphasis on self-assessment with participation of stakeholders

• Establish implementation teams

• Use existing data and knowledge to complete worksheets;

• review by stakeholders;

WorksheetsAssessmentcomponent

Worksheets

Context Management targetsCurrent threatsPotential threatsReview of National contextAssessment of stakeholder engagement

Planning List of planning documentsAdequacy of management plans (others)Adequacy of design of MPA

Inputs Assessment of resources (inputs)Resources summary

Process Assessment of management processAssessment of capacity

Outputs Assessment Management plan implementationManagement plan implementation summary

Outcomes Assessment of biodiversity objectivesAssessment of Socio-economic objectivesRanking of current threats

Sample WorksheetReview of National Context Worksheet

Criteria Strengths WeaknessesMPA site & protected arealegislationConservation withinbroader government policyInternational conservationconventions & treatiesGovernment support forMPANational protected areaagency & MPA site

Pilot sites

• Kenya: Kiunga MNR

Malindi MNP/MNR

Watamu MNP/MNR

Mombasa MNP/MNR

Kisite/Mpunguti MNP/MNR

• Tanzania: Mafia I. MP

Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary MP

• Seychelles: Cousin I. Special Reserve

Preliminary Results - Kenya

• Marine parks making progress towards meeting objectives; marine reserves less so

• Revision of management plans needed (2004)

• Research and monitoring activities should be better linked to management

• Training and awareness activities better linked to management

Preliminary Results - Tanzania

• Mafia I. MP starting to make good progress; data from WCPA-Marine assessment will allow more in-depth analysis of extent to which objectives are being met; METF methodology is providing recommendations for improving management

• Mnazi Bay MP – assessment was a capacity building exercise to help with development of their management plan

Preliminary Results - Seychelles

• Good progress towards meeting management objectives for terrestrial component of Cousin I. Reserve; more attention needed to marine environment

• Results to be used in forthcoming revision of management plan

Lessons learned

1. Difficulty understanding the concept of ME assessment

• Required extensive training and technical support

• We used the analogy of a journey by public bus (Matatu)

Does your MPA look like this?:

or this:

Lessons learned

2. Methodology too complex for some sites (requires computer skills and ability to analyse information) –

• workbook should be revised; include questionnaire for use at sites with less capacity and academic training

Lessons learned

3. Stakeholder participation is essential:• MPA staff tend to rate progress too highly;

stakeholders provide an objective view;• Assessment provides good opportunity to

build relationships with stakeholders – first time at some sites for their involvement during an assessment

• Stakeholders provide good suggestions for improved management

Lessons learned

4. Assessments cost time and money but this need not be excessive:

• Each site had $2500-3000; assessment period was c. 6 months;

• In-kind support provided by each MPA;• Mainstreaming of assessments in management

cycle should be possible (e.g. as part of review process for management plans) but additional funds may be necessary given funding problems of MPAs in WIO (apart from Cousin I., none of the pilot MPAs are financially self sufficient)

Conclusions• Assessments were useful – MPA staff increased

knowledge their MPAs and links with stakeholders• Workbook should be revised• Need to link research and monitoring more closely

with management• A strong national co-coordinating agency

facilitates assessment (e.g. KWS)• Expand assessments to other WIO sites • Translate workbook e.g. French, Kiswahili• Both this method and the WCPA-Marine approach

are useful and complementary – develop better links between the two

Asante sana