Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem

The Project is implemented and executed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and based during its first year of implementation at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO-RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand. It will move during its second year to one of the partner countries. National partners include fisheries, agriculture, environment, planning and finance institutions, non-governmental and community-based organizations. The project will also build on past experience and present activities in the region, including data and information collected through the numerous national and regional initiatives addressing the coastal and marine environment and fisheries issues in the Bay, including the Bay of Bengal Programme (1979-1999). Of particular relevance are the two UNEP Regional Seas Programmes, the East Asian Seas Programme and that for the South Asian Seas, the UNEP Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA), and the Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (IOGOOS) and related initiatives. The BOBLME Project became operational in April 2009 with the establishment of a Regional Coordination Unit at FAO-RAP. The Project Inception Workshop was held in November 2009.

A supplemental PDF-B grant of $350,000 was approved in December 2003 (making a total of $399,000 of PDF B resources) to prepare a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and to define the scope/process for preparing the Strategic Action Plan. Project preparation is progressing very well with strong support from the respective governments. The LOA between Bank and FAO revised to include the supplemental PDF B funding and extend the duration of contract with FAO to June 30, 2005. PCN review completed. Priorities sub-regional and regional activities identified by participating countries. Draft project document to be completed by September 30, 2004 for discussion at workshop in Colombo.