Engaging local people to support wetland conservation in South China Fion Cheung Conservation Officer (South China wetlands) Michel Roggo / WWF-Canon Photo: Bena Smith 1
Mai Po Nature Reserve
Wetland Management Training Programme Started in 1991 Site managers and decision makers related to the management and conservation of wetlands along the EAA Flyway 8-day training at Mai Po Nature Reserve Introduction of Ramsar; Wetland management work in Mai Po; Wetland monitoring; Wetland restoration; Preparation of wetland management plan ~150 per year
Wetland Management Training Programme The content of the training is good but the situation of our nature reserve is much more complicated than Mai Po don t know whether I can use the knowledge directly in our site Local communities living inside the nature reserve burden our wetland management work We face difficulties in dealing with the local government and local communities
HSBC/WWF South China Wetlands Project Started in July 2005 Models of wetland nature reserve in mainland China
HSBC/WWF South China Wetlands Project Started in July 2005 Models of wetland nature reserve in mainland China
Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National NR Mai Po NR Haifeng Bird Provincial NR
Importance of the sites Stopover/wintering sites of migratory waterbirds at the EAA Flyway 1. Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National NR (2,360 ha) Largest area of natural mangrove in Fujian Province 2. Haifeng Bird Provincial NR (11,588 ha) >20,000 wintering waterbirds; Rare bird species (Black-faced Spoonbill, Nordmann s Greenshank, Purple Swamphen)
Importance of the sites Stopover/wintering sites of migratory waterbirds at the EAA Flyway 1. Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National NR (2,360 ha) Largest area of natural mangrove in Fujian Province 2. Haifeng Bird Provincial NR (11,588 ha) >20,000 wintering waterbirds; Rare bird species (Black-faced Spoonbill, Nordmann s Greenshank, Purple Swamphen)
Importance of the sites Stopover/wintering sites of migratory waterbirds at the EAA Flyway Black-faced Spoonbill 1. Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National NR (2,360 ha) Largest area of natural mangrove in Fujian Province 2. Haifeng Bird Provincial NR (11,588 ha) Purple Swamphen >20,000 wintering waterbirds; Rare bird species (Black-faced Spoonbill, Nordmann s Greenshank, Purple Swamphen)
Specific difficulties in Zhangjiang Estuary NR About 10,000 people living in 2 villages next to the NR Human disturbance Harvesting mudflat products (razor clam); Intensive aquaculture on mudflat Unwise use of mudflat Env. unfriendly aquaculture method Co-management + Alternative income
Co-management Step 1: Conduct socio-economic survey
Co-management Step 1: Conduct socio-economic survey - Great economic dependency on the mudflat in terms of razor clam raising; - Key source of human disturbance Step 2: Review the current razor clam raising practices and techniques on mudflat - Bring a lot of human disturbance; - Use of env. harmful insecticide (Triazophos)
Co-management Step 1: Conduct socio-economic survey - Great economic dependency on the mudflat in terms of razor clam raising; - Key source of human disturbance Step 2: Review the current razor clam raising practices and techniques on mudflat - Bring a lot of human disturbance; - Use of env. harmful insecticide (Triazophos) Step 3: Explore more sustainable ways in raising razor clam with lesser human disturbance - Raise razor clam in ponds
Co-management Step 4: Organize study tours to other razor clam pondraising sites - learn skills and techniques to improve the income Step 5: Publication of Razor Clam Culture and the Control of Water Colour - Guide the pond-raising process
Co-management Step 4: Organize study tours to other razor clam pondraising sites - learn skills and techniques to improve the income Step 5: Publication of Razor Clam Culture and the Control of Water Colour - Guide the pond-raising process
Co-management Step 6: Stop the use of env. harmful insecticide No harvest Step 7: Replace it by substitute - Prove the effectiveness of the substitute by experiment; - Substitute: Better profit + faster recovery of benthos; - Regulation: Ban the use of the env. harmful one; - Promote the use of substitute in workshops
Alternative income Step 1: Set up aquaculture experiments multi-trophic VS mono-trophic (crab) >RMB5,000/acre RMB2,500 3,000/acre Step 2: Organize training workshops about multi-trophic aquaculture Step 3: Establish an Aquaculture Association - Exchange experience in operating the multi-trophic aquaculture ponds
Alternative income Step 1: Set up aquaculture experiments multi-trophic VS mono-trophic (crab) >RMB5,000/acre RMB2,500 3,000/acre Step 2: Organize training workshops about multi-trophic aquaculture Step 3: Establish an Aquaculture Association - Exchange experience in operating the multi-trophic aquaculture ponds
Alternative income Step 4: Apply for Certificate of Non-harmful Aquaculture Products Unit price Income Multi-trophic Ecotourism
Improve the living standard of local community 1: Develop garbage collection system 2: Build eco-friendly toilets
Improve the living standard of local community 1: Develop garbage collection system 2: Build eco-friendly toilets
Improve the living standard of local community 1: Develop garbage collection system 2: Build eco-friendly toilets
Importance of the sites Stopover/wintering sites of migratory waterbirds at the EAA Flyway 1. Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National NR (2,360 ha) Largest area of natural mangrove in Fujian Province 2. Haifeng Bird Provincial NR (11,588 ha) >20,000 wintering waterbirds; Rare bird species (Black-faced Spoonbill, Nordmann s Greenshank, Purple Swamphen); 3 separated parts; Traditional operation method of aquaculture ponds is beneficial to both human and wildlife
Importance of the sites Stopover/wintering sites of migratory waterbirds at the EAA Flyway 1. Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National NR (2,360 ha) Largest area of natural mangrove in Fujian Province 2. Haifeng Bird Provincial NR (11,588 ha) >20,000 wintering waterbirds; Rare bird species (Black-faced Spoonbill, Nordmann s Greenshank, Purple Swamphen); 3 separated parts; Traditional operation method of aquaculture ponds is beneficial to both human and wildlife
Traditional operation method Oct Nov Dec Jan Sep Feb Aug Mar Jul Apr Jun May
by Peter Yip
Traditional operation method Oct Nov Dec Jan Sep Aug Harvesting Draining Sun baking Feb Mar Jul Apr Jun May
Traditional operation method Oct Nov Dec Jan Sep Aug Harvesting Draining Sun baking Feb Mar Jul Apr Jun May
Traditional operation method Oct Nov Dec Jan Sep Aug Harvesting Draining Sun baking Feb Mar Jul Apr Jun May
Specific difficulties in Haifeng NR Lian anwei No control right on land use Potential change of aquaculture method from the traditional one to the intensive one Co-management
Co-management Step 1: Conduct socio-economic survey - Most families depend on aquaculture (traditional / intensive one) to make a living; - learn the skills from others or by themselves Step 2: Set up a demonstration site to compare the economic benefits and env. impacts between: Traditional method VS Intensive aquaculture of crab and shrimp VS Intensive shrimp monoculture
Co-management Traditional Intensive (crab + shrimp) Intensive shrimp monoculture Economic benefit (RMB/ha) Risk Adverse environmental Impact 19,500 X 5,200 XX 27,800 XXX
Co-management Step 3: Organize study tours to Mai Po NR - Introduce the wise use concept of wetlands; - Demonstrate how the traditional method is operated in Mai Po; - Learn about the certification of organic produce in HK Step 4: Organize training workshops for pond operators - Promote the traditional method; - Techniques to improve the water quality in ponds Step 5: Produce a documentary to promote the merits of the traditional method
Co-management Step 3: Organize study tours to Mai Po NR - Introduce the wise use concept of wetlands; - Demonstrate how the traditional method is operated in Mai Po; - Learn about the certification of organic produce in HK Step 4: Organize training workshops for pond operators - Promote the traditional method; - Techniques to improve the water quality in ponds Step 5: Produce a documentary to promote the merits of the traditional method
Specific difficulties in Haifeng NR Step 6: Sending samples to check the quality of the produce raised by the traditional method Step 7: Help promote the produce raised by the traditional method by producing leaflets
Common difficulties faced by management bureau Lack of well-trained staff Lack of a practical management plan Low public awareness on wetland conservation 1. Training workshops for local educators; 2. Develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) strategy for the NR; 3. Build necessary education facilities; 4. Develop education materials; 5. Develop local green schools
Common difficulties faced by management bureau Lack of well-trained staff Lack of a practical management plan Low public awareness on wetland conservation 1. Training workshops for local educators; 2. Develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) strategy for the NR; 3. Build necessary education facilities; 4. Develop education materials; 5. Develop local green schools
Common difficulties faced by management bureau Lack of well-trained staff Lack of a practical management plan Low public awareness on wetland conservation 1. Training workshops for local educators; 2. Develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) strategy for the NR; 3. Build necessary education facilities; 4. Develop education materials; 5. Develop local green schools
Common difficulties faced by management bureau Lack of well-trained staff Lack of a practical management plan Low public awareness on wetland conservation 1. Training workshops for local educators; 2. Develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) strategy for the NR; 3. Build necessary education facilities;
Common difficulties faced by management bureau Lack of well-trained staff Lack of a practical management plan Low public awareness on wetland conservation 1. Training workshops for local educators; 2. Develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) strategy for the NR; 3. Build necessary education facilities; 4. Develop education materials;
Common difficulties faced by management bureau Lack of well-trained staff Lack of a practical management plan Low public awareness on wetland conservation 1. Training workshops for local educators; 2. Develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) strategy for the NR; 3. Build necessary education facilities; 4. Develop education materials;
Common difficulties faced by management bureau Develop local green schools
Long term protection of the two sites 2nd February 2008
Conclusions Have a good understanding on the local situation, esp. socio-economic Explore ways to use wetlands wisely Engage the local people in the project Raise public awareness and gain their support Communication
Thank you wwf.org.hk 2010, WWF. All photographs used in this presentation are copyright protected and courtesy of the WWF-Canon Global Photo Network and the respective photographers.
WWF-HONG KONG +100 WWF s network is active in over 100 countries +35,000 WWF-Hong Kong has over 35,000 individual financial supporters 1961 WWF was founded In 1961 1981 WWF-Hong Kong was established in 1981, to deliver solutions for a living planet Photo: Michel Roggo / WWF-Canon