The Caspian Sea: Restoring Depleted Fisheries and Consolidation of a Permanent Regional Environmental Governance Framework

This project builds upon a solid foundation of regional cooperation for Caspian environmental conservation put in place by the five Caspian states and the Caspian Environment Program over a period of more than 10 years with substantial catalytic support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Building on these achievements this project’s objective is to strengthen regional environmental governance and apply new thinking to the sustainable management and conservation of the Caspian’s bioresources. The project supports the littoral states' efforts to halt the decline in bioresources and to restore depleted fisheries in the Caspian Sea, through the implementation of agreed actions defined in the Caspian Strategic Action Plan (SAP), and to fully operationalize and make the Caspian Sea’s regional environmental governance mechanism sustainable. In line with the new GEF priorities, the major focus of GEF involvement will be to assist the countries to agree on the political commitments made to ecosystem-based joint action on sustainable fisheries and bioresources and introduce institutions and reforms to catalyze implementation of policies reducing over-fishing and benefiting communities. There are two main components of the project: 1) Ecosystem based management of aquatic bioresources; and 2) Strengthened regional environmental governance. The key outcomes sought under the two main components are: 1) Improved ecosystem-based aquatic bioresources management; Invasive species mitigation; Implemented policies & measures to increase reproductive success of Caspian’s diadromous fish species; Application of circum-Caspian approach to habitat conservation; and increased; Coastal communities participate in and contribute measurably to improved bioresources conservation; and 2) Operational and sustainable Tehran Convention institutions; Coordination and synergy with other projects and activities including effective donor coordination and engagement; Implementation of Strategic Convention Action Plan (SCAP) at regional level and NSCAP at national/sub-national level; Enhanced stakeholders’ engagement in the Tehran Convention process and improved public access to information.