Draft Fisheries Plan for the Marine Resources of Palmerston Developed by THE PEOPLE OF PALMERSTON WITH SUPPORT FROM MINISTRY OF MARINE RESOURCES

Location Island located 500km north-west of Rarotonga.

Palmerston Island An Atoll Land Area of 2.6 sq km 6 sandy Motu (islets) – coral covering 1457 hectares, surrounding a lagoon about 11 km (across).

INTRODUCTION Process towards Ecosystem Based Management planning for the Marine Resources of Palmerston Is, Cook Islands.  The information incorporates the views of the people of Palmerston with cooperation from the Ministry of Marine Resources. Ownership by the people of Palmerston, in its development, implementation and follow-up, is essential for its effectiveness and success. The plan must be of benefit to the Palmerston community and its marine resources.

BACKGROUND William Masters settled in Palmerston in 1863 3 wives Land divided into 3 and 1 area to each of the descendants The lagoon and reef areas are common to all A Ship carpenter & barrel maker named William Masters from Manuae with 2 wives Third wife from Palmerston – propagated a large family In 1899 he died, dispute rose about the succession of the leader

The reefs of Palmerston atoll. Condition of the reef system and fish abundant.

HISTORY The economic development of the Palmerston community was highly dependent on the exploitation of its reef and lagoon resources, notably parrotfish Ciguatera and decline of lagoon and reef resources in Rarotonga place a high demand for parrot fish and seafood resources from elsewhere. The Palmerston fishery is a major, supply source to satisfy the Rarotonga market. There is a growing awareness that reef and lagoon resources in Palmerston are declining, and that management interventions are needed to maintain and to restore the island’s fisheries and resources. Economic Development – Prior development commodities is the copra industry – low price, In 1972 as high as 90ton of parrotfish was reported to be sold to Rarotonga. Between 1973-1980, catch decline 40t, between 1980 and 1990 – 15ton Ciguatera – High demand which results on pressure of the resources on Palmerston Concern of over harvesting of resources

Some areas of Palmerston atoll are still healthy and host good amount of fish. Hipposcarus.Longiceps(50cm) – Rai, Others are, Chlorurous microhinos (steephead parrotfish -70cm), Scarus Alitpinnis(Minifin Prrotfish- 50cm) Aumauri, and Reefcrest Parrotfish, C. frontalis(50cm)

A Framework for an Ecosystem Based to Management of the Palmerston Island Marine Resources The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) is just one of a large number of concepts that have been generated over the past decade to describe taking a more comprehensive approach to the management of natural resources. The key elements of all these types of approaches within a fisheries context, is that they require dealing with all the ecological consequences of fishing and also understanding the social and economic implications that this activity provides (Fletcher, 2006[1]). [1]Fletcher, R., May 2006: A guide to implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) within the Western and Central Pacific region.

Objective of a Management Plan for Palmerston “To preserve and improve the reef and lagoon resources from today and in the future for maintaining at all times the livelihood (food and income) of all families on Palmerston Is.”

Issues to be addressed species caught : e.g.. target and bycatch ecosystem structure :eg. impacts of the environment on lagoon :eg. impacts of fishing on the environment community well being : eg income : food security administrative issues : eg capacity building: monitoring and reporting: compliance: legislation

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Community Involvement Talk about the difficulty in getting them to agree – How did we do it?

Main Species caught – Hipposcarus longiceps and Chlorurous microrhinus,

Interview process

Solutions and Actions and Risks have been identified Further development requires additional input, discussion and engagement between the people of Palmerston and the Ministry of Marine Resources. Look at the table

Why it should work Aware of their resources Knowledgeable of the issues Involvement of the all community members in this process Livelihood Limited commercial alternatives Leadership