 |
NEWS
Pacific Study Tour Results In Backing For Community Based Management Pacific Marine Resources
28/11/08: A Commonwealth study tour team, completing a three nation Pacific inquiry in Samoa today concluded that community management initiatives for fish and shellfish are producing results and are the right way to go. They foster community ownership and responsibility, and deserve long-term help from governments and donors.
The team, from six nations, has been on an intensive study tour of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Samoa from 16-28th November. They have met fishery and environment officials and made field visits in each country - in Samoa to Tafagamanu village, which has a fish reserve, and to Safata, to meet committee members for the Safata and Aleipata Marine Protected Areas. In each country they have appreciated the generous assistance of government, NGO and village community organisations.
The study tour is part of a two year Commonwealth Fisheries Programme which will position the Commonwealth as a major player in stopping the depletion of marine fish resources, in promoting sustainable management strategies, and in supporting the long-term livelihood of coastal fishing communities. Other findings are:
- That the question of sustainability has to be addressed, as too many projects depend on short-term funding or a handful of individuals for their operation
- That good collaboration between government departments, levels of government and chiefs or those responsible for marine management in the villages is crucial - the team was impressed by the good examples seen in Samoa
- That community management initiatives and no-take zones are already working successfully - with a return of inshore fish and shellfish, and coral recovery - although full recovery and abundance may take decades
The Commonwealth Fisheries Programme is jointly managed by the Commonwealth Foundation, an intergovernmental body which supports civil society, the Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit, a think-tank which is part of London University, and the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council, the Commonwealth's environmental NGO. It is funded by the Department for International Development, UK, and AusAid, the aid arm of the Australian Government.
The programme is preparing a report for Commonwealth leaders who meet in Trinidad in November 2009 and includes study tours, case study work, and meetings of civil society and presentations to Fisheries Ministers in the Pacific and Caribbean. Progress reports will be given to London High Commissioners on 20 January, 2009, and to Commonwealth officials at their FAO fisheries meeting in Rome in March.
Members of the Commonwealth Study Tour in the South Pacific Papua New Guinea
John Aini, Director, Ailan Awareness, New Ireland
Almah Tararia, Environmental lawyer
Samoa
Chief Seuala Patone, Aleipata Marine Protected Area Trust Fund Chairman
Chief Tuala Peniamina, Mayor of Tafagamanu
Vanuatu
James Graham, Chairman, Krab Bay Tabu Committee
John Ronneth, Nguna Pele Marine Protected Area
University of the South Pacific and the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council
Dr Joeli Veitayaki, Director, Marine Studies Department
Study Tour Coordinator
Marta Lang, New Zealand lawyer on contract to the Commonwealth Foundation
Study Tour Leader
Richard Bourne, Associate Fellow, Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit
|
|
Interview with Azard Mohammed, Director of Blue Bamboo Cunupa Fishing Association
Azard Mohammed , Director of Blue Bamboo Cunupa Fishing Association, shares his views on participating in the CFP... read more
Interview with Bharat Patel, Director of Machimar Adhikar Sangharsh Samiti (MASS)
We spoke to Bharat Patel, Director of Machimar Adhikar Sangharsh Samiti (MASS) - a trade union for fish... read more
|
