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

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

12. 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)

13. 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)

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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.

18. Kalahngan/Thank you