Implementing CRM Plans and Projects
Introduction
The key to the success of any CRM projects and its implementation is how well it is received by the coastal community. Coastal community refers to the regional and municipal officials, non-government groups, fishermen and the residents in general. They are the main beneficiaries of the CRM program and the fate of their resources depends on them. There is need for coordination among the groups so that the limits of the bay area are considered in the overall level of resource exploitation.
The approaches to be used in the implementation of CRM plans are crucial to their success. These approaches are consistent with the theme of FSP which encourages the participation of local government and community-based organizations in resource management.
Thus, the approaches are:
1. Community-Based Resource Management
Community-based management is really founded on community accountability and responsibility. It has been shown that when communities are allowed to take responsibility, they often become guardians of their own resources.
Community-based resource management is necessary since there exist local variability, local knowledge and skills, and local accountability. It involves five essential activities or phases. These are integration, education, core group building, building responsibility and formalizing the community role in resource management activities. These five phases typically include integration of field workers for community organization.
1.1. Integration
During the integration process, many informal meetings are held with people throughout the community to introduce the project and for the field workers to become known and trusted. It is also an opportunity for the community workers to learn about the community residents, their attitudes, problems and proposed solutions. Total immersion of the community workers in the area is absolutely necessary to ensure the success of the projects. They should develop their time and full involvement in the field site. It is important that they become totally immersed in the community while still maintaining their objectivity and ability to see problems in a broad context. Although the community benefits tremendously from their presence, it is important that they do not allow the community to become overly dependent on them. Their role is to facilitate.
It is in this phase where baseline data n socioeconomics, demography, community profile, and the environment are collected.
1.2. Education
Low awareness of the importance of resource and poor understanding of environmental issues were identified as some of several obstacles to sustainable development. Therefore, it is necessary to promote environmental awareness among the constituents of the community to assure the acceptance of the CRM project as well as participation in the management process.
A variety of educational approaches may be used in CRM such as formal or non-formal lectures, slide shows, posters, brochures, particularly training, comedy plays or role acting, field trips, etc.
1.3. Core group building for resource management
Core groups grow out of the many activities supported by the projects. Once the core management is formed, the community field workers coordinate closely with the officers of this body. Normally, the members of the management group who are often informal leaders in the community are influential.
1.4. Building responsibility around beneficial projects
1.5. Formalizing community role in resource management
As an example, formal ceremonies which include local and regional government officials are important to credit accomplishments of the project in the eyes of the community residents. Such ceremonies are held to inaugurate structures, the marine park, election of management committee, some training events, launching of brochures.
2. Improved Law Enforcement
The improvement of law enforcement needs to be emphasized in conjunction with community-based resource management efforts. Communities need outside support to implement the regimes agreed to among themselves. They are sometimes helpless against organized illegal fishermen or commercial fishing operations. Also in areas where illegal and destructive fishing is rampant, peer pressure against such activities will not evolve without the support of the law enforcers. Training and better communications should be the main theme for improving enforcement.
CONCLUSION
The approaches to CRM which have been enumerated highlight the need to work through coastal communities whenever possible. It is concluded that without good participation of communities, the success of CRM will be limited. One means to ensure the participation of communities is to show them what benefits can be derived from improved coastal resource management. And, when such benefits start to accrue at the local level, the management regimes will be reinforced in a self-sustaining manner.