Project Brief

Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape Project

Background
The Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape, shared by Indonesia, Malaysia and the
Philippines, ranks among the most diverse and productive marine
ecosystems in the world. Located at the apex of the Coral Triangle, it is
known as the worlds center of marine biodiversity with the highest
numbers of coral, crustacean and marine plant species and about 3,000
species of fish. It is also home to the largest nesting population of green
turtles in Southeast Asia.

The marine resources in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape face major threats

such as overfishing, destructive fishing practices, rapid population
growth, unsustainable coastal development and pollution. As a
consequence, valuable coastal habitats like mangrove forests, coral reefs,
and seagrass beds are at risk to lose their function as breeding and
nursery grounds for marine organisms. This situation is exacerbated by the
effects of climate change.
Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have realized that to address these
threats there is a need for transboundary cooperation. This is carried out
under the umbrella of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries
and Food Security (CTI-CFF) which recognizes the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape
as one of its priority seascapes.
Context
The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation,
Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) commissioned the project to support
the countries to implement and coordinate their activities under CTI-CFFs
Regional Plan of Action.
The focal areas are:
Image from Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) Website
Implementing Partners
The project is jointly implemented by the Regional
Secretariat of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs,
Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF), the Ministry of
Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) in Indonesia, the
Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI),
Department of Fisheries Sabah and Sabah Parks in
Malaysia, the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) and the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the Philippines, and
Conservation International.
Target Groups
CTI-CFF and their organs, government agencies of the
three countries, local population in marine protected
areas and fishermen, and other stakeholders in
biodiversity management and fisheries
Volume & time frame
7 Million Euro
2012-2018

To support the effective management of marine protected areas Contact

and establish a regional protected area network for sea turtles Franca Sprong
Project Director
To promote an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale
(EAFM) in selected marine managed areas Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Phone +63 2 441 8440
Scientific research for example on the connectivity of sea turtle Email franca.sprong@giz.de
populations is conducted to assist the project implementation. For
institutional strengthening the project engages in capacity development
for CTI-CFF, partner ministries and other stakeholders. To foster the
regional exchange of experiences among the three countries and beyond,
the project is organizing cross-visits, knowledge-sharing events, and
documenting and disseminating lessons learned. Based on the scientific
studies and lessons learned, the project will provide policy
recommendations in the region.

Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape Project, 2017