Mindanao Rural Development Project (GEF)

The objective of this project is to use GEF financing of incremental costs to promote co-management (local communities and government) of coastal and marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the coastal waters of Mindanao, Philippines. The GEF-assisted Coastal and Marine and Biodiversity Conservation Component (CMBC) of the proposed Mindanao Rural Development Project (MRDP) will remove the barriers to mainstreaming marine and coastal biodiversity conservation in coastal zone development by: (a) establishing community-based management of marine sanctuaries; (b) strengthening local capacity to address marine ecosystem management issues; (c) enhancing the knowledge base for sound ecosystem management and decision- making, including monitoring and evaluation for sustainable long-term marine ecosystem management; (d) providing support for alternative income generating activities to reduce pressure on marine resources; and (e) developing policy and action plans for marine biodiversity conservation and mainstreaming it into coastal development plans. The concept is based on the precept and the experiences that show that good marine management can simultaneously conserve and protect biodiversity and increase fisheries productivity.