Waterbody

South China Sea (LME)

The South China Sea LME is bordered by China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. It covers an area of 3.2 million km², of which 0.31% is protected, and contains 7.04% and 0.93% of the world’s coral reefs and sea mounts, respectively (Sea Around Us 2007). Coastal waters are relatively shallow (less than 200 m) and are influenced by marine as well as by river and terrestrial inputs. The South China Sea Basin and Palawan Trough are deeper than 1000m. Numerous rivers (120) drain a total catchment area of 2.5 million km² into the LME. Most of the region lies within the sub-tropical and equatorial zones and the climate is governed by the northeast and southwest monsoon regimes. The northern and central parts of the region are affected by typhoons during the southwest monsoon months, bringing intense rains and destructive winds to coastal areas. This LME is particularly sensitive to ENSO, which has caused significant changes in rainfall patterns, for example, in Indonesia and Malaysia. Major oceanographic currents include those generated by the seasonal monsoons. Waters from the LME may flow seasonally into the Sulu Sea and Java Sea, contributing to the Indonesian Throughflow.
Area

3,177,242 km²

Perimeter

14,747 km

Region

Asia, SIDS (Asia), South-Eastern Asia, Southern Asia

Countries

Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Korea Democratic People's Republic of, Korea Republic of, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Regional, Thailand, Viet Nam

Budget

269.00M US$

Total Cost of the Projects

79.00M US$

GEF Allocation to the Projects

Basin Management Institutions

Projects (16)

View all ➜
Name Ecosystem GEF Agency Focal Area Status
Blue Horizon: Ocean Relief through Seaweed Aquaculture LME WWF IW
active
Strengthening Marine Protected Areas in SE China to conserve globally significant coastal biodiversity LME UNDP BD
active
Establishment and Operation of a Regional System of Fisheries Refugia in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand LME UNEP IW
preparation
Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea LME UNEP IW
active
CTI Strategies for Fisheries Bycatch Management LME FAO IW
closed
CTI West Pacific-East Asia Oceanic Fisheries Management Project - under the Coral Triangle Initiative LME UNDP IW
closed
Coastal Cities Environment and Sanitation Project - under WB/GEF Partnership Investment Fund for Pollution Reduction in the LME of East Asia LME IBFRAD(B IW
closed
Demonstration of Sustainable Management of Coral Reef Resources in the Coastal Waters of Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province, Viet Nam LME UNEP IW
active
Implementation of Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia LME UNDP IW
closed
Demonstration of Community-based Mgt of Seagrass Habitats in Trikora Beach East Bintan, Riau Archipelago Province, Indonesia LME UNEP IW
closed
Manila Third Sewerage Project (MTSP) - under WB/GEF Partnership Investment Fund for Pollution Reduction in the LME of East Asia LME IBFRAD(B IW
closed
East Asian Seas Region: Development and Implementation of Public Private Partnerships in Environmental Investments LME UNDP IW
closed
Reversing Environmental Degradation Trends in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand (SCS) LME UNEP IW
closed
Building Partnerships for the Environmental Protection and Management of the East Asian Seas LME UNDP
closed
World Bank/GEF Partnership Investment Fund for Pollution Reduction in the Large Marine Ecosystems of East Asia (Tranche 1 of 3 tranches) LME IBFRAD(B IW
preparation
World Bank/GEF Partnership Investment Fund for Pollution Reduction in the Large Marine Ecosystems of East Asia (Tranche 1, Installment 2) (from November 05 WP) LME IBFRAD(B IW
preparation
Ecosystem

LME

LME Number

598665f6635dbc51318abce4a5daf5b1

Projects

16 Projects

Last Update

29 Jan 2020