With an area size of 5.7 million square kilometres, the Coral Triangle is known as the richest area of marine life in the world. It generates about US$3 billion from fisheries exports and coastal tourism each year and about 120 million people depend on the sea for their livelihood. However, this area is facing increasing threat from over fishing, pollution and unsustainable coastal development over the last few years. Although the Coral Triangle is an area of hope, it is also an area in distress.

In collaboration with the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) and IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC), the Special Monitoring & Coastal Environmental Assessment Regional Activity Centre (CEARAC) of the Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP), will conduct an intensive training course at V.I. Il'ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute in Vladivostok, Russia from 8 to 12 October 2011 on the analysis of remote sensing data, with a focus on the Northwest Pacific Ocean.

UNDP/Global Environment Facility's Small Grants Programme, China (UNDP/GEF SGP China) announces the 2011 "call for proposals" to award US$500,000 totally this year with US$10,000 to US$50,000 for each the most innovative initiatives in various GEF focal areas.

Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme China supports NGOs/CBOs implementing projects on biodiversity conservation, climate change abatement, protection of international waters, prevention of land degradation, and reduction of the impact of POPs while generating sustainable livelihood.

As the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico demonstrates, coastal seas are both valuable and vulnerable. To manage the world's coastal seas and restore their ecosystems will require the best science-based approaches, commitment and resources. But it will also require accountability, effectiveness, and efficiency. It will require the best use of limited resources, for clear communication between governments and stakeholders, to determine what works and what does not.

This roving three-day Oil Spill Management Course sets the benchmark for regional IMO level 3 accredited training courses. Predominantly, this course shares all of the same elements as the four-day programme except for the practical deployment of equipment. In addition, all courses will be tailored to deal with response issues and environmental sensitivities specific to that region, giving added value to the local and regional delegates.

Accreditation: IMO Level 3, MCA Level 5 / 5P
Refresher course: Code UREF
Period: 3 years

Schedule of Courses

The 2011 PNLG Forum, carrying the theme "Achieving Sustainable Blue Economy through Integrated Coastal Management," will be held from 25 to 27 July 2011 at Dongying City, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
The 2010 forum, to be attended by officials from various local government units in the East Asian Seas region, will provide a venue for mutual learning and mentoring among the the members of the network.
To learn more about the forum, download the provisional programme.
About PNLG

Building on the success of the 2007 International Symposium on the Science and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs held at Dowling College, New York, USA, a second International Workshop on the Science and Conservation of Asian Horseshoe Crabs has been organized in Hong Kong.

PEMSEA will be conducting a Regional Integrated Coastal Management (Level 1) Course on May 10-13, 2011 in Danang, Vietnam. The course aims to provide participants with better understanding of how the ICM framework has become a useful methodology to promote sustainable development of coastal areas. It is intended to strengthen participants' knowledge and skills essential in the implementation of ICM program.

The course will cover the following topics:

IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (IOC/WESTPAC) announces its 8th International Scientific Symposium to be held on March 28-31, 2011, at Paradise Hotel, Busan, Republic of Korea, generously hosted by Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM). This Symposium will be co-organized by IOC/WESTPAC and Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute (KORDI).

The recent chain of oil spills worldwide have garnered international media attention and have drawn public scrutiny due to its sheer impact on the environment. Oil spill incidents will not only incur monetary losses on the company, but the company’s reputation will be at stake as well due to the starkly visible and detrimental effects on the environment.