Improving Ocean Governance in the Benguela Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME III Project)

Project description

The BCC Secretariat is implementing a project titled ‘Improving Ocean Governance in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem” (BCLME III Project) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The BCLME III Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and co-financed by the BCC Parties. This project is building on the earlier UNDP-GEF support to the BCC which assisted the countries in delivering a multilateral Commission for integrated ecosystem management, a regional LME Convention and a wealth of foundational science upon which to base long-term monitoring for change.

Project Objective

The overall project aim is to realize a coordinated regional approach to the long-term conservation, protection, rehabilitation, enhancement and sustainable use of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem in order to provide economic, environmental and social benefits and well-being to the region through the domestication and implementation of the Benguela Current Convention and accompanying Strategic Action Programme. The project puts strong emphasis on supporting the countries in strengthening and integrating policy, institutional, and management structures and protocols in order to realize transboundary benefits, to mainstream transboundary priorities into national policy framework, while linking them to national development plans and strategies, and to catalyse private sector finance into the BCC Convention implementation and stress reduction activities in the region. In addition, the project aims to demonstrate sustainable stress reduction activities at national level with a strong emphasis on intersectoral cooperation and partnerships.

Project Components and the intended Outcomes:

Component 1: Improved Ocean and Coastal Governance

• Outcome 1.1 addresses the need for Regional Level agreement and harmonization of legislation, policy and management for all LME-related sectors.
• Outcome 1.2 will strengthen or establish the necessary national legal frameworks and institutional arrangements
• Outcome 1.3 intends to adopt and implement national-level integrated governance and management mechanisms through demonstration projects.

Component 3: Capacity Development and Training

• Outcome 3.1 will support and strengthen the capacity development of the BCC.

Component 4: Marketing and Resource Mobilisation and Fiscal Sustainability

• Outcome 4.1 Sustainable long-term management structures and financing mechanisms adopted by the BCC.