Innovation and business transformation in the Coral Triangle

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Zimbabwe

WWF is aiming for businesses and industry to invest in best management practices in fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and marine managed areas. Changes in business as usual will allow for more healthy, productive marine ecosystems that continue to support food security, livelihoods, and resilience against climate and environmental changes.

Yellowfin tuna steak in processing plant for export.

© Jurgen Freund / WWF

WWF continues to seek new and better business models in the fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism sectors, as well as in the effectiveness of marine protected or managed areas—models that will balance return of investment with the integrity of the marine ecosystem.

In this ideal world of sustainable enterprise, fishers, fish farmers and processors, suppliers and retailers, tourism operators and company owners in the Coral Triangle will be applying best practices to their operations, with visible and measurable results. Blue economy business will be thriving and sustainable

See also

Promoting sustainable tuna fisheries in the Coral Triangle

Of the sea, for the sea: A blue economy

WWF has redefined a sustainable blue economy as one which utilizes natural resources with recognition of the value of the marine environment, and which engages private business in this respect to help assure food security and livelihood.

WWF’s work in the Coral Triangle is aimed at building sustainable blue economies where economic development based on the ocean and marine resources contributes to long-term prosperity, sustainability and resilience of the region into the future.

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WWF sees a sustainable blue economy as a marine-based economy that:
- Provides social and economic benefits for current and future generations by contributing to food security, poverty eradication, livelihoods, income, employment, health, safety, equity, and political stability;
- Restores, protects and maintains the diversity, productivity, resilience, core functions, and intrinsic value of marine ecosystems – the natural capital upon which its prosperity depends; and
- Is based on clean technologies, renewable energy, and circular material flows to secure economic and social stability over time, while keeping within the limits of one planet.
Thus, in the Coral Triangle, a blue economy is where marine-based business is carried out together with the protection of important marine habitats, the reduction of unsustainable practices, and the equitable distribution of social and economic benefits.
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HOW WE DO IT: Tools and initiatives

Asia Pacific Sustainable Seafood Network

WWF has established an innovative way for working with the fisheries sector of the Coral Triangle. The Asia Pacific Sustainable Seafood Network, established by WWF to promote sustainable seafood production in this globally important fisheries region engages with the private and public sectors for the common goal of better fisheries management.

It also supports WWF’s national offices, promotes dialogues among sectors, builds capacities where needed, and supports fisheries and aquaculture improvement projects to meet the demands of more discriminating local and international markets.

© Marine Stewardship Council

See also

Vietnam Yellowfin Tuna Fisheries Improvement Project

Sustainable aquaculture

As the global demand for fish grows relentlessly, aquaculture has been identified as a key solution to the problem of dwindling stocks. Aquaculture improvement projects are a key tool for:
- bringing responsible fish farming to the mainstream
- providing an inexpensive protein source to Coral Triangle communities
- generating export revenue
- creating livelihood for fishermen faced with climate change, habitat degradation, and other challenges.
WWF has sought incentives for communities and companies to implement aquaculture improvement. It has also initiated the process for establishment of standards for farmed species like milkfish and barramundi, for which evaluation criteria have yet to be set, while taking into consideration potential negative farming impacts such as pollution and environmental damage.

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A main focus of WWF’ approach for investment in responsible fisheries is on sustainable aquaculture, a huge industry in the South East Asian countries of the Coral Triangle involving active producers such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia, and large consumers such as Hong Kong and China.

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing to capture sought-after species such groupers and wrasse has made the industry increasingly unsustainable, and the use of destructive; cyanide and dynamite fishing and overfishing are constantly putting pressure on fish populations and habitats.

WWF is working with partners and stakeholders to promote improved management of fisheries and more sustainable, low impact aquaculture. The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management is being applied as a solution, through the regional CTI-CFF EAFM technical working group.

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In an offshore grow-out cage in Palawan, an adult Leopard Coral Trout (Plectropomus leopardus) is held aloft prior to shipping. WWF and its allies are working with local communities to catalyze a shift to full-cycle mariculture, where fish are bred and raised in captivity without the need to draw from wild stocks.

WHAT WE SEE: Objectives

WWF’s aim is to clearly see the benefits of participation in fisheries and aquaculture improvement as demonstrated in small scale and larger fisheries and aquaculture companies in the Asia Pacific.

Collaborations with industry, government, and coastal communities are based on the acknowledgement of the importance of a healthy marine ecosystem to food security, livelihoods and long-term economic and environmental stability.

Through its engagement on sustainable marine tourism, WWF aims to demonstrate that through collaborative approaches, marine managed areas in the Coral Triangle will be showcases of responsible marine tourism experiences that benefit the community and conserve resources, while providing visitors with an unforgettable experience.

It also aims to create a new version of “business as usual”—aligning the responsible management of marine ecosystems with the goals of business sustainability.

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Through its Innovation and Business Transformation Strategy, WWF aims to create a new version of “business as usual”—aligning the responsible management of marine ecosystems with the goals of business sustainability.

Learn about other strategies

► Policy and advocacy
► Marketing and communications