Strengthening governance and institutional arrangements for coral restoration in the Philippines

In the Philippines, coral restoration has been increasingly used for various objectives including improving coral reef cover, enhancing biodiversity and associated fisheries, and scientific research to evaluate different approaches and their respective impacts. However, its application has been typically independent of existing coral reef governance and management frameworks such as marine protected areas and integrated coastal zone management. At the local level, stakeholders face challenges in relation to technical capacity and financing, among others, when sustaining coral restoration sites and managing broader threats to the coastal zone in general. The effectiveness of coral restoration can be improved with a more enabling governance environment. This white paper reviews current national policy for gaps in relation to effectively implementing and regulating coral restoration, and compiles actionable recommendations to address these gaps. It synthesizes research and lessons from the “Institutional effectiveness and political economy of coral restoration in the Philippines” Project, which is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, administered by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, and implemented by the University of Technology Sydney, Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc., Macquarie University, and Southern Cross University. The white paper is intended to support national policy dialogue, and promote continuous cross- and multi-sectoral collaboration towards supporting conservation and management priorities of Philippine coral reefs.