The Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion (SSME), as the apex of the Coral Triangle, is considered the center of the center of marine biodiversity where the highest number of colorful reef and marine fishes, various sizes of corals and shells, myriad shapes of algae, and protective mangrove forests are found. The SSME's marine aquarium is not only a delightful lure for tourists but is also the source of food and a natural capital for livelihoods among coastal communities. To address threats to SSME's diversity and productivity, an ecoregion conservation plan was forged collaboratively by Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines in 2004. As the management framework to address threats to its diversity and productivity, the SSME Ecoregion Conservation Plan has spurred the development of three comprehensive action plans for 2010-2012. These plans are implemented by the subcommittees on Migratory and Threatened Species, Marine Protected Areas and Networks, and Sustainable Fisheries, and guided by the SSME's Tri-National Committee. This publication includes business plans and cost estimates to implement the three action plans---providing useful guide on costs and activities for governments, prospective donors, and investors; valuable information from cost-benefit analyses; and lessons learned from past conservation efforts.

This issue of the Bulletin has a number of articles covering various aspects of the maritime domain. They look at Malaysia's perspective on managing transboundary oil pollution damage from offshore exploration and exploitation activities, a report on the Sulu Sulawesi large marine ecoregion fisheries management project, issues relating to the creation of a network of marine protected areas, the Thai canal project as an possible alternative to the Straits of Malacca and other Southeast Asian maritime conduits, coastal blue carbon in relation to mangrove and seagrass conservation in Malaysia, and data issues in Malaysia's maritime industry.

This report summarizes the progress of the Southeast Asia Department (SERD) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in mainstreaming knowledge in its development support to countries supported by the department in 2010-2011. It outlines the guiding principles of a knowledge management framework in the context of the ADB operations cycle, and summarizes selected knowledge products generated, disseminated, and used in SERD lending and nonlending operations at different stages of the cycle. The report concludes with lessons and recommendations on the further strengthening of the "knowledge first, finance follows" principle to more effectively meet the increasing demands by each client country for knowledge as an integral part of ADB development assistance to the region.

This book focuses on tropical coasts, which are highly vulnerable due to a multitude of stressors. Population growth is substantial, habitats are lost and biodiversity is reduced at an alarming rate, severely affecting many ecosystem services. This situation calls for sound coastal management and the effective engagement of all relevant stakeholders. About two decades ago the M.Sc. program ISATEC (International Studies in Aquatic Tropical Ecology) was created at Bremen University (Germany) to train young scientists for a professional engagement in the complex field of tropical coastal and resource management. This book provides a platform for those Alumni to report on their work experiences and findings in their home countries and covers all regions of the tropical belt. Part I of the book provides a short review of the state of the tropical ocean and its resources and of international attempts towards sustainable ocean management starting with the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development in 1992. Part II deals with country case studies, and part III focuses on an evaluation & synopsis of those contributions. Emerging key issues for management and conservation of the tropical coastal environments are presented and critical challenges on the path towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are discussed, as are the needs for enhancing research and capacity development.

Intense exploitation of our oceans and seas is degrading marine biodiversity and ecosystems at an alarming rate. This report presents good practice insights for effectively managing marine protected areas (MPAs), one of the policy instruments available for the conservation and sustainable ...