South, Graham R. and Veitayaki, Joeli and Limalevu, Leone and Morris, Cherie W. and Bala, Shirleen (2012) Global change and coral reef management capacity in the Pacific: engaging scientists and policy makers in Fiji, Samoa, Tuvalu and Tonga. [Professional and Technical Reports]
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Abstract
Executive Summary:
Sustaining healthy coral reefs is vital to the livelihoods of the people of the Pacific Islands. Global change is having increasing impacts on Pacific coral reefs, leading to increased vulnerability of coastal communities (Reefs at Risk Revisited, 2011. World Resources Institute). Integrating global change into policies across various national government sectors and then, translating this into actions that lead to sustainable management of coastal
ecosystems is an enormous challenge. The project sought to address this through face-toface dialogue between reef experts and government personnel responsible for coral reef
management policies. It aimed to strengthen science-policy interaction and linkages and empower policy-makers to make informed decisions. The project targeted four countries all
heavily dependent on their coral reefs: Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu.
Using the most recent information available on the sustainable management of coral reefs, the project brought Pacific Leaders together with scientists and experts so that they could be apprised of the impacts of global change and of those factors that are affecting the health of their coral reefs. For each country a detailed national dossier was prepared by the project team in consultation with the countries, leading into two-day workshops. The dossier included a series of issues (including gaps) pertinent to each country which were used in the development of national coral reef plans. About a year later, countries were revisited to review and measure the progress achieved on recommendations on fisheries, marine managed areas, global change and multi sectoral, multi stakeholder consultations.
Workshops were held between June and August 2010, in which a total of some 130 senior officials from Fiji, Samoa, Tuvalu and Tonga attended. The workshops identified priority
actions for coral reef management. It was found that all four countries had in place, or are developing, appropriate policies for the sustainable management of their coral reefs, taking into account the anticipated impacts of global change. All lacked, however, an overarching policy and the necessary human resources and expertise required for implementation. This situation highlights the dilemma faced by the small Pacific countries responsible for the custodianship of the unique biodiversity of their reefs. In follow-up discussions two countries (Samoa and Tuvalu), requested our assistance in the development of their
National Ocean Policies, which would provide the necessary over arching policy and national commitment to sustainable coral reef management. The Institute of Marine Resources has
the necessary expertise to do this, but would require the necessary funding.
About eight months later, the team visited each country and had consultations with key stakeholders on the progress from the recommendations made during the June-August 2010 workshops. In addition, information was gathered through a literature review.Although progress varied in the four countries, it was evident that collaboration between
relevant government departments needed to be improved and that there was a need for the establishment and implementation of management systems that will be on-going and self financing given the resources available.
The project provided a model for interaction between scientists and policy makers that could be readily extended to other Pacific Island countries or, for that matter, to other island states where the sustainable management of coral reefs is of vital importance for the 2 conservation of valuable reef resources, and for maintaining the livelihoods of people.
Limitations of the project were determined by the smallness of the countries and the consequent lack of human resources to implement policies.
| Item Type: | Professional and Technical Reports |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Marine Studies Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD) Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > Institute of Marine Resources |
| Depositing User: | Ms Shalni Sanjana |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Apr 2013 01:20 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Apr 2013 01:20 |
| URI: | https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/5639 |
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