Community Experiences Melanesia Outline of Presentation :- Current Issues :- What are we doing :- Challenges

Current Issues Growing population, more mouths to feed We have around 70-80% of the Pacific’s population Reef/land area remains the same, its doesn't grow like our populations Our people need income, school fees Day to day basic needs Weak governance systems

Current Issues Poachers (mainly from outside our villages) Poachers using destructive methods, e.g. small mesh net, dynamites, UBA, herbs, sea cucumber used for fishing (poisons) Fishing of undersize fish Poachers know where MPAs are Fish getting smaller

Current Issues Traders selling undersize mesh nets: even if there is a ban on certain mesh size Weak to no enforcement Enforcement of rules should apply to traders, as well as fishers Limited alternative livelihoods for communities We are to religious sometimes, replenish earth with people

Current Issues Marine tenure systems Land dispute issues can cause resource management problems (burning of forest, logging) Climate change, beach errosion

What are we doing Establish management committees (YMST committee) Develop management plans Workshops, blow of kava, chew beetle nut Setting MPAS In open areas, there are controls on some fishing gears Management “ridge to reef concept” Address land and lagoon/reef management

What are we doing Adaptive management, trial and error, change management actions as were learn (CBAM) Church ministers/chiefs bless the MPA/Plan This helps with compliance, feeling good

What are we doing Restocking some species (clams) Turtle conservation Replanting trees, mangrove (looking after the habitat) Cleaning up rubbish, waste management, composting Organic farming

What are we doing Alternative activities e.g. sea weed farming, Tourism ($) Diving, swimming Researchers studying environment, they give information to back community ($)

What are we doing Church can be strong with managing resources Sometimes the church can put big burden on community to harvest resources, fund raising

What's needed in future Clear government regulations/laws are needed Regulations, laws to empower community's to manage resources (e.g. empower fish wardens) Support in enforcing our rules; provide equipment, (boats) to help with enforcement

What's needed in future Capacity building (should be continuous) Awareness of environment, resources, sustainability Continue and improve school education/curriculum on resources and management