PRIMEX News

Two in a row: PRIMEX-designed/managed CFRM projects rated 'successful', 'highly relevant' by ADB

Posted on October 31 2008

Two recent ADB project completion review (PCR) missions have rated as “successful” the implementation of two pioneering and trailblazing coastal fisheries resource management (CFRM) projects prepared and managed by PRIMEX, one in Indonesia and the other in the Philippines.

COFISH, INDONESIA. Based on its objectives of addressing depletion of coastal fishery resources and the pervasive poverty and social disadvantage of coastal communities, the Coastal Community Development and Fisheries Resource Management (COFISH) Project in Indonesia was assessed by the ADB Mission to have been "effective" in meeting most of its objectives and target outcomes, exceeding most of its CFRM targets.

The review mission also described the project as "likely sustainable" highlighting how the communities had been particularly involved in resource management and surveillance. The Mission also cited as “appropriate” the Project’s integrated and participatory approach involving institutionalization of coastal resource conservation and management measures.

In giving the Project an overall assessment of "successful", the ADB Mission noted the almost 100% accomplishment of all physical targets while creating 'a positive environmental impact that helped reduce poverty in the project areas.'

As the first CRM project in Indonesia to introduce the concept of stakeholder community participation in resource management, COFISH pioneered the creation and empowerment of community organizations through intensive social preparation and capacity building. It also produced the following significant results: (i) decreased incidence of destructive fishing activities; (ii) increase in mangrove coverage; (iii) increase in live coral in artificial reefs, fish sanctuaries, and MPAs; (iv) increase in fish catch rates and in the number of fish species caught; and (v) improved sanitation and cleanliness at the FLCs.

COFISH was designed by PRIMEX in 1996-1997 and implemented from April 1998 to December 2005. PRIMEX Senior Consultant, Guillermo (Emong) Morales, Team Leader of the Project Management Consultant (PMC) Team, was highly appreciated by the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries (DGCF) of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) for his high degree of professionalism, leadership, and selfless dedication to his tasks.

FRMP, PHILIPPINES. Like its Indonesian counterpart, the Philippine Fisheries Resource Management Project (FRMP) was evaluated by an ADB PCR Mission as “successful,” having reversed the trend of declining municipal capture fisheries in the country and having met 95% of its physical targets.

It was also assessed as “relevant” to the Government and ADB’s policies on sustainable fisheries development and poverty reduction when it was prepared and continues to be relevant during implementation.

The Project was implemented as conceived, with minor changes which improved its over-all outcome (e.g., providing start-up capital for micro-enterprises using part of the training budget to set up demonstration units). 

Overall, the reevaluated EIRR of 30% is acceptable and indicates that the Project was efficient, and through FRMP, the poor in coastal communities experienced a greater share (67%) of the project benefits compared to other community members whose income levels were above the poverty threshold.

FRMP focused on the nearshore or municipal fisheries subsector and covered 100 municipalities in 18 bays and gulfs, among 26 priority bays in the Philippines. It had three components, namely: (i) fisheries resource management, focusing on fisheries data management, coastal resource management (CRM), planning and implementation, fisheries legislation and regulations, community-based law enforcement, and regional coordination; (ii) income diversification, including community organizing, promotion of microenterprises, and support for mariculture development, and (iii) capacity building for public agencies in charge of fisheries management at the national, regional and local levels, with a focus on local government units.

FRMP was co-financed by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and implemented by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

PRIMEX prepared the design of FRMP in 1996. It was the Sole Contractor for the ADB-funded Project Management Consulting Services and was the Philippine Associate of Overseas Agro Fisheries Consultants, Ltd. (Japan) for the JBIC-funded consulting services rendered from 1999-2004 (for the ADB component) and 2000-2005 (for the JBIC component).

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