A joint workshop
between the YSLME Project and the WWF/KORDI/KEI Yellow Sea Eco-Region
Planning Programme (YSEPP) was organised prior to the 1st meeting of the
YSLME Biodiversity Regional Working Group (19th to 22nd April, Qingdao,
China).
The joint workshop, largely facilitated by YSEPP with
input from YSLME and held from the 16th to the 18th April also in Qingdao,
focused on identifying critical species and habits and produced a checklist
of critical indicator species and a provisional GIS map of the Ecologically
Important Areas (EIA) for the Yellow, Bohai and the East China Seas.
The workshop is in line with a partnership agreement
between WWF-Japan and the YSLME Project formalized in the signing of a MOU
on March 7, 2005 in Seoul, Korea.
WWF Eco-region Coordinator of the YSEPP, Mr. Tobai
Sadayosi presented the outcome of the YSEPP workshop to members of the YSLME
Biodiversity Regional Working Group at the 1st meeting of the YSLME
Biodiversity Regional Working Group in Qingdao. Mr. Tobai presented the data
& information that has been collected to-date and the method of GIS database
storage of this data, and offered the database for the benefit of the YSLME
Project. Members discussed and questioned the products of this workshop,
with particular focus on the information relating to the Yellow Sea area.
The lists and GIS maps will be invaluable resources for
the Project and particularly for the Biodiversity Regional Working Group in
preparation of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and
implementation of activities in the Strategic Action Programme (SAP)
allowing them to identify and prioritise areas, and focus actions for the
protection of habitat and species diversity.
The undertaking of this joint workshop and partnership
with this international NGO, highlights concern for the Yellow Sea held by
international organisations and other countries, and reinforces the
importance of this large marine ecosystem in the global scene.
(c) WWF
Tobai Sadayosi
UNDP/GEF Yellow Sea
Project PMO - KORDI, Ansan, ROK.
T: 82-31-400-7829
F: 82-31-400-7826 E: info@yslme.org