monia martini romania green economy projects manager wwf

Monia Martini

Romania Green Economy Projects Manager

WWF-Romania

Project Steering Committee IV

Bucharest, 29 October 2013

Presentation focus

The payment scheme designed for Ciocanesti

The phased approach

Operational framework

Risks and assumptions

Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti

Payments for improving the quality of the

environment important for birds diversity

Goal: To promote a balance between economic and

biodiversity needs through aqua-environment payments under

the OP Fisheries that support responsible aquaculture

practices.

Focus: Implementation of practices for the management of

vegetation and water in the fish farm basins in order to improve

the quality of the environment important for birds.


The approach

Phase I Phase II

2014-2016

Phase III

? 2010-2013

Feasibility studies on hidrology and water quality, water policy,

tourism trends and ecotourism development opportunities,

valuation of ES, public-funding opportunities.

Stakeholders engagement:

1. In 2011 SC Calarasi SRL applied to OP Fisheries 2007-

2013, Measure 2.1: Aquaculture, Operation 1:

Environmental protection à failed because the

environmental practices for nature-friendly basins

management developed by the Danube PES team and

incorporated in the proposal were not approved by an

evaluator recognized by the OP Managing Authority

(indicators were not considered robust enough).

Fundraising for testing the environmental practices for nature-

friendly basins management is ongoing.

Testing of the environmental

practices for nature-friendly

basins management:

· management of water

quality

· management of

wetland habitat

important for birds

Monitoring and evaluation.

Development of ecotourism

types of infrastructure at farm

level in order to enhance

identified business

development opportunities.

2 main conditions will determ

the transition to a PES scheme

or SFM:

· werther results of the

monitoring and

evaluation phase show or

not the delivery of water

quality and maintenance

of biodiversity;

· werther business

development

opportunities are able to

self-sustain or co-finance

the implementation of the

environmental practices

for nature-friendly basins

management.


PHASE I - Feasibility studies

What is the problem? Socio-economic analysis

Local livelihood:

• Agriculture and aquaculture are the main economic activities

• Tourism?

Natura 2000

site = SPA

Ciocăneşti

Dunăre

(ROSPA0021)

– 904 ha

Potential

Ramsar site

Lower Danube

floodplain

233 ha total farm surface:

30 water basins

20 ha dams and canals

15 ha agriculture land


Birds diversity depending on Ciocanesti for food,

nesting, and resting.

Influenced by climate conditions, and amount of

water surface in the basins.

10636 individuals and 100 species observed.

Species protected at International - 6, European

- 31, and National – 18 levels).

✖ Recreational value

✔ Biodiversity maintenance (birds)

Livelihood challenge: To maintain business

profitability in conditions of damages from

cormorants and other fish eating birds (about

50% of production) so far, nets above

some fish basins (20 ha) offer low-impact

protection against birds

Podiceps cristatus –

Great crested grebe

Phalacrocorax pygmeus –

Pygmy cormorant

Habitat

Individuals

Species

Food Testing PES in the Lower Danube: the case of Ciocanesti

Phenology

Individuals Species

Nesting


Water monitoring plan:

- 9 proof collection points at farm level

- analysis done in May, July, October

- the 3 points of supply (P1, P2, P3) have the highest

concentrations of suspended organic matter, CCO-

Cr and nitrates = eutrophication / poor quality water

� Provisioning of fish

✖ Water quality

Livelihood challenge: To foster market access for

HNV/quality products.

Fisheries policy

• Based on EFF, the Romanian OP Fisheries 2007-2013 finances the following 3

types of actions targeting the environment :

Action 1 - environmental protection;

Action 2 - transition to organic aquaculture;

Action 3 - sustainable aquaculture in Natura 2000 sites.

• No clear methodology to access OP Fisheries 2007-2013, Measure 2.1:

Aquaculture, Operation 1: Environmental protection.

• Many fish farms outside Natura 2000 sites are similar to the Ciocanesti case and

have demanded similar financial support for maintaining biodiversity values.

• The estimated number of farms eligible for payments under the proposed scheme

amounts to 620 out of the total registered farms, covering a total eligible surface of

80,087 ha (no exact data available to compare fish farm surfaces in and out

Natura 2000).

• Besides, Natura 2000 payments are designed to compensate income losses and

not to stimulate sustainable action.


These are the main benefits to human well-being!

Poor data approximation and availability

Also better solutions provided by education, legislation, and access to market

Priority on biodiversity maintenance confirmed

Ecosystems valuation

Type of ES Group of ES Description Euro (2010)

Provisioning Nutrition Fish production 592,000

(3,202 €/ha)

Regulation and

maintenance

Maintenance of

physical, chemical,

biological conditions

Carbon sequestration

(reed, soil vegetation and

trees)

5,856

Carbon storage (trees) 3,550

Biodiverisity

maintenance

Hunting penalties 19,500

(77 €/ha)


The conclusion is that…

The draining of the Lower Danube floodplain during communism with the

purpose to create land for agriculture production has massively reduced

wetland type of habitats, which host important biodiversity (birds in

particular).

Not surprisingly aquaculture fish farms have become a main economic activity

in the Lower Danube, and have played a key role so far in preserving important

wetland habitats and birds species from total disappearance.

However specific human activities are threatening this role.

In our study area irresponsible practices e.g. agriculture/aquaculture/industry are

directly affecting the quality of the environment important for birds.

Rural development policies related to the fisheries sector are fundamental in

creating the conditions for balancing economic and nature conservation needs.

To mobilize public funds that stimulate the transition towards

responsible aquaculture, by supporting basins management practices

that improve the quality of the environment important for birds


Scenario 1. Minimum impact on

water quality and fish production

PHASE II – Testing of environmental practices


Measures implemented on basin EC2

(not the most affected by nutrients charge)

41 ha and app. 3 ha of reed

Action 1. Reduction of fertilizers

10% - 41 ha x 69 Euro/ha = 2829 Euro

20% - 41 ha x 138 Euro/ha = 5658 Euro

Action 2. Monitoring of action 1 effects – water quality analysis

10 samples x 69 Euro/sample x 2 times/year (spring and autumn before

emptying the basins) = 1380 Euro

Scenario 1. Minimum impact on




Action 3. Measuring the reed area on basin EC2

40 Euro/trip + 100 Euro (GIS expert) + 55 Euro (ortophotoplans aquiring) = 195 Euro

Action 4. Maintaining the area covered by reed – app. 3 ha

3 ha x 4719 Euro/ha = 14157 Euro

Action 5. Flooding unused basin with water and populating them with non-

commercial fish species – breeding basins

10 ha x 531 Euro/month/ha x 7 months = 37 170 Euro

Action 6. Monitoring the effects of action 5 - bird monitoring

7 trips x 80 Euro/trip (2 days each) + 1600 Euro/specialist = 2160 Euro

Total scenario 1:

57691 Euro (with 10% fertilizers reduction)


Scenario 2. Maximum impact on




Measures implemented on basin EC1B

(affected by nutrients charge)

36 ha and app. 1 ha of reed

Action 1. Reduction of fertilizers

10% - 36 ha x 69 Euro/ha = 2484 Euro

20% - 36 ha x 138 Euro/ha = 4968 Euro

Action 2. Monitoring of action 1 effects – water quality analysis

10 samples x 69 Euro/sample x 2 times/year (spring and autumn before

emptying the basins) = 1380 Euro

Scenario 2. Maximum impact on




Action 3. Measuring the reed area on basin EC1B

40 Euro/trip + 100 Euro (GIS expert) + 55 Euro (ortophotoplans aquiring) = 195

Euro

Action 4. Maintaining the area covered by reed – app. 1 ha

1 ha x 4719 Euro/ha = 4719 Euro

Action 5. Flooding unused basin with water and populating them with non-

commercial fish species – breeding basins

10 ha x 531 Euro/month/ha x 7 months = 37170 Euro

Action 6. Monitoring the efect of action 5 - bird monitoring

7 trips x 80 Euro/trip (2 days each) + 1600 Euro/specialist = 2160 Euro

Total scenario 2:



Governance structure: Managing Authority

OP Fisheries

Financing mechanism: European Fishery Fund – OP

Fisheries Romania

Payment mechanism: one-off payment based on

environmental commitments

Environmental Service: Biodiversity protection

Fish farm administrator:

Ciocanesti Piscicola Srl

Direct beneficiaries: Society Visitors

Indirect beneficiaries: Populating Units in need

of small fish

Fish consumers

Operational framework



PracticesScenario

Sustainablepracticesarenotinplace

Legalrequirementsareimplemented

Morethan“normalgoodaquaculturepractices”areinplace

Businessasusualpractices

Nopaymentisgranted

Natura2000requirements

Compensationforlossesaregrantedaccordingtolegislativeprovisions

Responsibleaquaculturepractices

Action-orientedpaymentsaregrantedàPESasincentive?

PracticesScenario

Sustainablepracticesarenotinplace

Legalrequirementsareimplemented

Morethan“normalgoodaquaculturepractices”areinplace

Businessasusualpractices

0

Natura2000requirements

800Ron/ha=approx.190Euro/ha(upto35%lossofincome)1000Ron/ha=approx.237Euro/ha(upto50%lossofincome)

Responsibleaquaculturepractices

Uptoabout60000Euro/year,dependingonthescenario.

Th

e lo

gic

T

he v

alu

es

Risks and assumptions

Risk that:

• funds are not raised to cover start-up costs necessary to test the identified

nature-friendly basins management practices;

• OP Fisheries 2014-2020 does not include environmental quality/biodiversity

maintenance type of aquaculture payments.

Assumption that in the meanwhile:

• results from the implementation of local development strategies or other

initiatives will be in place that support business development opportunities.

• easier access to market for proved HNV/quality products, without

necessarily having to obtain the organic certification.


Monia Martini

[email protected]

www.wwf.ro

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/black_sea_

basin/danube_carpathian/our_solutions/green_public_funds/pe

s/the_danube_pes_project/


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.wwf.ro

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/black_sea_basin/danube_carpathian/our_solutions/green_public_funds/pes/the_danube_pes_project/



monia martini romania green economy projects manager wwf

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