Capacity building and Workshop on Identification of Coral and Fish

Introduction:

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the world, supporting numerous
fish and other marine life species. Coral reefs, on the other hand, are under threat from human activity,
climate change, and other environmental stressors. Accurate identification of coral and fish species is
critical for effective management and conservation of coral reefs and to meet CRMP’s goal of
continuously monitoring the status of coral reef in Palawan.

The identification of coral and fish species constitutes a vital aspect of managing and monitoring Marine
Protected Areas (MPAs) and fish sanctuaries encompassing coral reefs. Several reasons underlie the
importance of this identification process:

1. Ecosystem health assessment: Discerning the coral and fish species present within a protected
area is essential for evaluating the health and biodiversity of the coral reef ecosystem. Coral
reefs harbor a diverse array of fish species, and the presence or absence of specific taxa may
serve as an indicator of the ecosystem's overall health.

2. Evaluation of management strategy effectiveness: The identification of coral and fish species can
aid in assessing the efficacy of management strategies implemented within a protected area. For
instance, if particular fish populations exhibit a decline, this may suggest that fishing regulations
require modification to enhance species protection.

3. Detection of invasive species: Invasive coral and fish species may inflict considerable adverse
effects on the coral reef ecosystem. Identifying such species enables managers to devise
strategies to curb their proliferation and avert further ecosystem degradation.

4. Public engagement: The process of identifying coral and fish species can facilitate public
involvement in conservation initiatives by fostering awareness and comprehension of the
significance of MPAs and the necessity of safeguarding the species inhabiting these areas.

Overall, the identification of coral and fish species is essential for effectively managing and monitoring
MPAs that include coral reefs. It helps to assess ecosystem health, measure the effectiveness of
management strategies, identify invasive species, and engage the public in conservation efforts.

Identifying coral and fish species can be difficult, especially for individuals who lack specialist knowledge.
As a result, capacity building and training programs to improve the abilities of marine resource
managers, researchers, and other stakeholders in coral and fish identification are required. The proposed
initiative seeks to meet this demand by creating a capacity-building program and a workshop on coral
and fish identification.

The proposed project will have two major components: a capacity building program and a workshop.
The capacity development program will be designed to give participants with the information and
abilities needed to identify coral and fish. Using a combination of lectures, practical exercises, and field
trips, the workshop will provide hands-on training in coral and fish identification.
Phase 1: Needs Analysis

The initial step of the project will include a needs assessment to determine the target audience's specific
wants and requirements. Surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions will be used to conduct the
evaluation. The needs assessment results will be used to develop the capacity building program and
workshop.

Phase 2: Capacity Development Program

The capacity building workshop will be aimed to give participants a basic understanding of coral and fish
biology, taxonomy, and identification. Lectures, interactive workshops, and self-directed learning
activities will be included in the curriculum. To reach a larger audience, the program will be provided via
internet platforms. The curriculum will be intended to be adaptable in order to fit the schedules and
demands of the participants.

Workshop is the third phase.

Hands-on training in coral and fish identification will be provided during the course. The training
will be designed to supplement the information and abilities gained during the capacity building
program. The event will include hands-on activities and visit to a nearby coral reef. The course will be
held in person to allow for hands-on learning and interaction among participants.

Phase 4: Assessment and Follow-up

The project's final phase will involve assessing the performance of the capacity building program and
workshop. Surveys and interviews with participants will be used to conduct the evaluation. The
evaluation results will be utilized to improve the program's design and delivery. Follow-up activities will
also be carried out to ensure that participants continue to utilize their newly acquired knowledge and
abilities in their workplace.

Expected Results: The proposed study intends to improve the coral and fish identification skills of marine
resource managers, researchers, and other stakeholders. The following are the project's expected
outcomes:

A coral and fish identification capacity building program that gives participants with a foundational
understanding of coral and fish biology, taxonomy, and identification.

A workshop that combines lectures, practical exercises, and field trips to provide hands-on training in
coral and fish identification.
Participants' coral and fish identification skills will be enhanced, which will improve accuracy and benefit
coral reef management and conservation activities.

The initiative will help to establish a network of professional coral and fish identification experts, which
will aid in future capacity-building and training programs.

Conclusion:

Accurate identification of coral and fish species is critical for coral reef management and conservation, as
coral reefs are one of the world's most varied and productive ecosystems. To improve the target
audience's skills, the proposed project will provide a capacity building program and a workshop on coral
and fish identification. The project will teach participants the basics of coral and fish biology, taxonomy,
and identification, as well as hands-on instruction in coral and fish identification. The initiative will help
coral reef management and conservation efforts by enhancing the accuracy of coral and fish
identification and creating a network of knowledgeable coral reef experts.
Workflow Capacity building and Workshop on Identification of Coral and Fish

Duration: 3 days

Objective: The objective of this capacity building and workshop is to provide participants with the skills
and knowledge necessary for the identification of coral and fish species in marine environments.

Day 1:

Introduction

Welcome participants

Introduction of trainers and participants

Overview of the workshop

Session 1: Reef ecology

Introduction to reef ecology

Coral and fish relationships

Ecological roles of coral and fish in the ecosystem

Discussion on the importance of reef conservation

Session 2: Coral identification

Introduction to coral identification

Basic morphology of corals

Coral classification and taxonomy

Hands-on identification exercises

Session 3: Fish identification

Introduction to fish identification

Fish classification and taxonomy

Hands-on identification exercises

Day 2:

Session 4: Field trip

Visit to a nearby coral reef

Guided snorkeling tour to observe coral and fish species in their natural habitat

Identification exercises

Session 5: Data collection

Introduction to data collection techniques

Use of identification guides and tools

Collection of data on coral and fish species

Day 3

Session 6: Data analysis and reporting

Introduction to data analysis and reporting

Hands-on exercises on data analysis

Discussion on how to present data and report findings

Conclusion

Recap of the workshop

Feedback from participants

Closing remarks and certificate presentation

Materials:

Identification guides for coral and fish species

Data collection forms

Field notebooks

Writing materials

Certificates of attendance

Assessment:

Participant engagement during hands-on exercises

Participant performance during identification exercises

Quality of data collected during the field trip

Quality of data analysis and reporting exercises

Note: This lesson plan can be adapted to suit the needs of different audiences and levels of expertise.
Additional sessions can be added to cover more advanced topics in coral and fish identification and
ecology.

Costing:

Speaker 3 x 2500 per day

Meals and snacks

Venue

Boat \ fuel

Office supplies