The development of institutional capacities of the key agencies and institutions in the region that contribute to the integrated sustainable management of the GOM/LME; The establishment of effective ecosystem monitoring systems together with mechanisms for the identification and analysis of problems and issues; Research to increase the understanding of the GOM/LME, its functioning, its natural evolution trends, and the factors which affect it (both biophysical and social, economic and political); The harmonization of policies and legislation relating to activities affecting the GOM/LME; Increased external support for activities to minimize and mitigate the negative impacts of development (petroleum, urbanization, tourism development, resource exploitation) through the promotion of sustainable approaches and the use of tools such as EIA; Measures to improve resource management; The development of national and regional capacities for gathering, processing and spreading environmental information; Measures to protect biological diversity; Clarification of the role of the GOM/LME as a monitoring/early warning site for global climate change. The project carries out these actions through the 5 key following outcomes: Outcome 1: Transboundary issues analyzed and priorities defined Outcome 2: Country agreement on and commitment to regional and national policy, legal and institutional reforms to address the agreed priority transboundary issues Outcome 3: LME-wide ecosystem-based management approaches encouraged and strengthened through the successful implementation of the Pilot Projects Outcome 4: Monitoring and Evaluation System for the Project and the GoM LME established Outcome 5: Effective project coordination 3.3 Were there any changes in the Global Environmental Objectives, Development Objectives, or other activities during implementation? There were no changes to global environmental objectives or development objectives. 4. GEF EO assessment of Outcomes and Sustainability Please refer to the GEF Terminal Evaluation Review Guidelines for detail on the criteria for ratings.
4.3 Efficiency Rating: Highly Satisfactory The efficiency of the project is rated as Highly Satisfactory. According to the TE, the project outputs were delivered either on target, or ahead of schedule. These have in addition been implemented in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Moreover, the project has committed/spent all of the budgeted resources on programmed activities as planned. The project has made progress at a reasonable cost, towards the diagnosis of the identified priority needs (state of marine and coastal ecosystems, state of depleted fisheries, and magnitude of the overload of nutrients resulting from economic activities taking place inland from the Gulf of Mexico), by applying an evaluative approach that takes into account productivity of the LME, fisheries, pollution, ecosystem health and socio-economic and institutional structures in different countries associated with the problems that characterize the ecosystem. In terms of implementation, the project has been designed to ensure that results are achieved efficiently. The design includes three pilot projects, all located in the Términos Lagoon, Campeche, Mexico, in order to achieve greater efficiency in the use of financial resources, greater synergy between them and to lay the foundation for integrated ecosystem based approaches for natural resource management. In addition, the development of pilot projects in the same area is generating practical experience to address a complex situation characterized by complex overlapping policies and institutional responsibilities relating to the conservation of protected areas, social and economic development and threats to terrestrial and coastal and marine biodiversity. Overall, the project's progress in establishing functional approaches and effective ecosystem based management are cost effective, according to the TE, considering the impacts that land-based activities have on the LME and the complex linkages and feedback mechanisms existing between natural systems, productive uses, and the different institutional frameworks (involving federal, state and municipal) in addition to local communities’ organizations. Two aspects stand out in particular: TDA and the pilot projects. The first has been prepared in accordance with the specifications but ahead of schedule, which results both in financial savings and in savings in terms of the time available for its review and approval. The completion of the pilot projects shows these have delivered quality information, guidance on the design of specific mechanisms to address problems; broad participation of social groups involved and in general have helped to build awareness of the participants and parties on the fact that specific joint actions can result in significant improvements. 4.4 Sustainability Rating: Moderately Likely