Throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific, coastal communities are experiencing dwindling supplies of marine resources. Locally-managed approaches to coastal protection and management have become prominent. This joint or 'co'-management leads to informed decision making, as traditional knowledge and local sources of information are integrated into the process, aiding in the promotion of local enforcement and adaptive management of marine resources by and for the local users. <br /><br />One such approach is the locally managed marine areas ( LMMA) defined as: <br /> An area of nearshore waters and coastal resources that is largely or wholly managed at a local level by the coastal communities, land-owning groups, partner organizations, and/or collaborative government representatives who reside or are based in the immediate area.<br /><br />This document presents step-by-step guidelines for setting up an LMMA. In addition simple and discrete community organizing activities and tools are provided as aids to facilitate and guide communities, local leaders, and their conservation partners through the process of creating and managing an LMMA. <br /><br />The areas covered are: <br /> Initial Assessment LMMA Design and Planning Implementation of Community-Based Adaptive Management Ongoing Community Based Adaptive Management