SAP Implementation on Pilot Sites

Under Component 1, this is the SCS SAP's core implementation work, focusing on site-based solutions at SAP target sites to achieve habitat conservation and management targets.

Objective: Reduce habitat degradation and loss via national and local reforms to achieve specific targets for mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass, and wetlands.

Core focus areas:

• Mangroves: Supporting the declaration of 57,400 ha as National Parks and Protected Areas, including designation and plans for the management of 166,600 ha, sustainable use regulations and reforms for 602,800 ha, and replanting/enrichment efforts.
• Coral reefs: Aiming for the sustainable management of 110,430 ha at 46 sites, including reducing the decadal rate of degradation in live coral cover from 16% to 5%.
• Seagrass: Securing sustainable management with supporting laws for 26,036 ha, amending existing Marine Protected Area (MPA) plans, and designating 7 new MPAs focusing on seagrass.
• Wetlands: Supporting the development and implementation of integrated management plans for 813,647 ha, including the declaration of at least 7 wetland areas with protection status

Current progress & variance: National pilot activities in Cambodia, China, and Thailand are on track. However, the Philippines and Indonesia pilots, launched in November 2024 and May 2025, respectively, require significantly more time, and Viet Nam faced delays in finalizing the agreement.

Variance/integration: The third, most recent Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting in Manila in May 2025 approved the integration and use of USD 450,000 in remaining funds from the separate GEF/UNEP/SEAFDEC Fisheries Refugia Project to support these pilot sites, particularly where the two project areas overlap. This integration is viewed as complementary, ensuring lessons and support for habitat conservation continue.

 

 

MANGROVES [16]
Cambodia	Prey Nob District Botum Sakor National Park Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary	Philippines	Busuanga Coron
China	Shankou, Guangxi Huidong, Guangdong Dongzhaigang, Hainan Yangjiang, Guangdong Zhanjiang, Guangdong	Thailand	Bandon Bay Pak Panang Bay Welu River Estuary
Indonesia	Batu Ampar	Vietnam	Tien Yen Can Gio

 

CORAL REEFS [16]
Cambodia	Koh Kong archipelago Koh Rong archipelago Kep Beach and Koh Tonsay and Koh Pou archipelagos	Philippines	Busuanga and Coron Batangas, Maricaban Strait (Mabini and Tingloy)
China		Thailand	Sichang Island Group Lan and Phai Islands Group Koh Tao Island Group Koh Kra Archipelago Losin Island Mak Island
Indonesia	Bangka Belitung	Vietnam	Bach Long Vi  Phu Quoc Nui Chua

 

SEAGRASS [14]
Cambodia	Kampot Beach Kep Beach and Koh Tongsay and Koh Pou Archipelagos Chroy Bros	Philippines	Busuanga Coron
China	Hepu, Guangxi Liusha, Guangdong Li’an and Xincun, Hainan Yifengxi, Guangdong	Thailand	Bandon Bay
Indonesia	Bintan Mapur	Vietnam	Phu Quoc archipelago Thuy Trieu

 

WETLANDS [13]
Cambodia	Koh Kapik Ramsar Site Chumpu Khmao Kampong Trach	Philippines	Malampaya Sound Estuary
China	Pearl River estuary (Jitimen), Guangdong Dahu, Guangdong Maoweihai, Guangxi Danzhou (Xinyingwan), Hainan	Thailand	Don Hoi Lot Mudflat
Indonesia	Sembilang Sector of the Berbak Sembilang NP	Vietnam	Thai Thuy Wetland Protected area Thi Nai lagoon Tien Giang wetland in Tien river estuary