【IC Net Limited】Exploring together - Developing together

Study on the effects of multistory fish banks

In Japan, fish banks have been established for decades as part of public works in coastal development. Japan has seen many types of fish banks in its coastal waters. In recent years, large multistory fish banks have been set up for development of offshore fishing grounds with depth of more than 30 m. However, there has been no unified way of evaluation on the effects of fish banks. Stakeholders including Japan’s Fisheries Agency have recognized the need for more quantitative and measurable monitoring and evaluation methods. Thus IC Net took part in an examination on the effects of multistory fish banks and carried out the following: formulation of the monitoring plan; field studies, including underwater survey, on biological resources; and quantification and analysis of the data. IC Net put together a report on the study results and submitted it through Studio Umi to such stakeholders as fish bank manufacturers, fisheries divisions of prefectural governments, and fisheries research institutes. Then IC Net presented the report at academic conferences on fish banks and meetings with prefectural governments. In recognition of such accomplishments, IC Net was asked to take part as an observer in national committees on fish banks. These committees are to formulate guidelines for bioassessment and monitoring methods of fish banks as well as a unified manual for study. The work of the committees is important as it will set the future direction of studies on fish banks in Japan.

Guideline Study for Assistance on South-South Cooperation in the Environmental Field - 2003 (The First Year)

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) of Japan has been working on technical cooperation for building the capacity of governments of developing countries in environmental management. Although MOE built environment centers in six countries and supported capacity building through them, it does not have sufficient resources to help all the other countries the same way. On the other hand, MOE started in 2003 a study commission on environmental cooperation through South-South Cooperation consisting of learned individuals in universities and experts in development assistance agencies. South-South Cooperation was attracting attention in recent years for its efficiency and effectiveness.

Activities in Environmental CenterThe planned duration of the study commission was three years, and IC Net was in charge of the first year. IC Net undertook a field study in Mexico, Central American and Caribbean states, all of which constitute the model region for the MOE study commission, conducted a questionnaire survey in these countries and existing environment centers, and served as the secretariat of the study commission on the framework of this approach. Based on rearrangement of the concepts in South-South Cooperation, IC Net put forward 8 alternative project proposals.

Environmental and Social Considerations Study on the Optimal Electric Power Development in Sumatra

Following the Java-Bali electric system, the Indonesian government has made it a high national priority to improve the electricity provision and formulate a development plan for electricity generation and distribution infrastructure in Sumatra, and then requested the Japanese government to send a study mission on the above matters. Subsequently, the Japanese government sent a JICA study mission to devise an electricity development master plan for Sumatra.

Inspecting a prospective water reservoir siteAs a member of the study team for social environment impact assessments, an IC Net consultant is conducting an Environmental and Social Considerations (ESC) study at the Master Plan stage in cooperation with a natural environment impact assessment specialist. Based on baseline studies (on ESC requirements by relevant regulations and guidelines, protective zones, etc.) and a study on existing and planned power plant sites, the IC Net consultant is conducting a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the current electricity power development plans and an initial environmental study and, in this capacity, has organized workshops and stakeholders’ meetings in Sumatra. A seminar on technology transfer to the counterpart Based on the new JICA guideline on environmental and social considerations, new approaches include introduction of a SEA consideration at the Master Plan stage, scoping with targets that are not clearly defined, and inclusion of the environmental cost in the project budget. There is no standard method yet and a new method needs to be introduced. To address such situation, the consultant produced outputs including a checklist of electricity generation facilities’ environmental impact at the Master Plan stage, a scoping table for types of electric power system, and application of the environment cost in an alternative plan of the optimal electric power development simulation model. The Indonesian side rated such outputs highly, and JICA has also high expectations for standardizing them.