Application of Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management A Pohnpei Case Study – Federated States of Micronesia

History Top Down Regulatory Measures Bottom – Up Approach FOREST conservation (1971) Endangered species (1980) Marine and aquatic resources (1981) CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT (1982) Marine Sanctuary and Wildlife Refuge System (1999) Bottom – Up Approach Establishment of MPA Network – Locally Managed Marine Areas Network (2003) MPA Executive Committee Marine Advisory Council (MAC)

Characteristics of Pohnpei Coral Reef Fisheries Declines in abundance Declines in fish size Declines in fish fecundity (number of eggs produced) Loss of species (e.g. giant clam) Deteriorating reef condition Habitat loss Worsening water quality Reduced catch and income, impoverished fishers

Declining Fish Abundance Data from the last 12 years of underwater fish monitoring within the Kehpara Marine Sanctuary shows ongoing and significant declines in spawning grouper A continuation of these trends without proper management will result in a the loss of this spawning site around 2020

Declining Fish Size and Egg Production A single illegal fishing event at Kehpara in 1998 resulted in declines in mean size and age of E.polyphekadion Less fish and smaller fish mean fewer eggs

Fishers and Markets Rely on Under-sized, Immature Fish Undersized and immature fish dominate up to 90% of marketed catch for some species

Loss of Ecologically Important and Iconic Species for Tourism Development Giant clams- Endangered (no breeding populations) Max. age – 100 years Humphead wrasse- Endangered (no large adults, rapid population declines in recent years) Max. age – 25 years Bumphead parrotfish- Endangered (90% population decline since 1960s) Max. age – 42 years

Sedimentation and Loss of Nursery and Feeding Habitat 1998— “The dredge sites surveyed have soft silty bottoms that do not appear to support food sources for animals in comparison to the reef flats, seagrass beds and mangrove areas.” Smith, R. et al. (1998) SOPAC Tech. Report 257. 2005 — “Some reefs have been adversely affected by sediment runoff, dredging and predation……and have caused a major loss of coral cover and diversity….” Turak and Devantier. (2005) REA Report to CSP. 2006 — “….sedimentation (from poor farming and land-use practices) smothers corals and leads to substantial coral mortality in the lagoon. The mud is not flushed out….” Victor et al. (2006) Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science.

Micronesia Challenge and Coastal Fisheries Micronesia Challenge status: 36,687 out of 122,289 hectares of near shore is under conservation/management… (GAP analysis 2010) Management agencies involved with MC: PRMC DLNR – Management/Regulatory mandate (MC) OFA – Economic Development/AIG (PIMPAC) CSP – Community Network (LMMA Network) Opportunities and challenges to MC: Sustainable Financing Enhancing conservation & management practice and awareness Research and capacity building Enforcement and compliance Increase population vs. unstable economy

Lirohrohki Pohnpei Sarawi (LPS) Community Request DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN Community Consultation/Workshops Situation analysis using the problem/solution tree Project Team Project Task Force Prepare plan of activities Municipal Government Establish Community Committee Community/Project Team Endorsement/Approval by Community and Project Team Traditional Leaders/Project Team Explain about the programme Seek their blessing Community Undertakings Project Team Undertakings Implementation Department of Land and Natural Resources Develop community by-laws and/or relevant policy Not endorsed Community Monitoring and Evaluation -Bi-annual review by Community and Project Team -Review Report for discussion Lirohrohki Pohnpei Sarawi (LPS)

Current Management Export ban on marine resources, except aquacultured products or by permit only Seasonal ban on sale and catch of: Turtles June – August & December – January P.areolatus: January-May E. poly & E. fusco: February-May Restrictions on net mesh size less than 4 inches; 10-year moratorium on kemeik, merer, maud and giant clam Size limits 10 species or groups of fish (e.g. grouper)

Current Management 6 learning sites representing +20 villages MPA Executive Committee 6 village chiefs sharing lessons Watershed Steering Committee Inter-agency/community reps Marine Advisory Council 25 members (fisherman/fish market owners) Fisheries Working Group Multi-agency/organization committee 2003 2010

Fisheries Reform Launched a fisheries awareness campaign Target groups Community-based initiatives Data poor stock assessments Decentralization of resource management roles (turf) Municipality ordinance incorporating & recognizing community-based management plans

Challenges Community buy-in Translating SCIENCE into MANAGEMENT Enforcement & Compliance Financial resources Data management

Lessons Learned Fisheries management is far greater than any one agency can solve alone Press leaders to prioritize fisheries issues Accessibility of information and awareness Involve fisherman in decision making process Once a plan is developed, be responsive, be ready to adapt strategies Synchronize or align our efforts Avoid duplication, rather supplement & maximize complementary efforts.

Kalahngan/Thank you