SCTR to be launched in ICRS, Australia

The symposium, which is tentatively entitled, “Harnessing Knowledge in the Coral Triangle: Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future,” will be held before the scientific sessions scheduled from 9-13 July 2012. Representatives from the National Coordination Committees (NCCs) will present highlights of their respective SCTRs, and a member of the Science Advisory Committee (SAC) will give the commentary.

The last presentation will discuss the results of the Study on the Fisheries and Aquaculture Economics of the Coral Triangle (E-FACT Study), which will be presented by a senior official from one of the CT6.

Features of the SCTR

• Country-owned report
• Acts as a platform to engage stakeholders in knowledge capture, creation, storage, sharing, and use
• Serves as a learning process for country teams as they link their M&E efforts with relevant sections of the report
• Helps the CT6 track their progress vis-à-vis their NPOAs and the RPOA
• Provides an opportunity to give structured feedback to government processes

SCTR intended to be a “living document” to support monitoring and evaluation

The SCTR covers the status of critical ecosystems, species, resources, threats, and progress towards the CTI goals and targets. It is intended to be an evolving report instead of a one-time initiative.

RETA Team Leader Abbie Trinidad referred to the SCTR as a “living document that can serve as a benchmark for the CT6 countries in monitoring and evaluating their progress vis-à-vis the National and Regional Plans of Action.”

“It is unique because it builds an engagement process with CTI stakeholders and serves as a forum to strengthen communication of science and policy,” said Dr.  Porfirio Aliño, Decision Support System Specialist of the RETA Team.

The symposium, which is being organized in coordination with the Australian Government, is expected to gather together at least 75 participants from the Regional Secretariat, the NCCs, and development partners, among others.