Transcript Day 1 Experiences from Community members Micronesia

Micronesia Experiences
Summary
Current status
FSM:
• Pohnpei – six learning sites with management plans;
each site has 4 or more villages, representing around
29% of the island’s coastal under management
(Micronesia Challenge status). Voluntary Community
Conservation Officers (CCO)
• Kosrae – 2 learning sites; 7% (MC).
• Chuuk – 2 learning sites; 2% (MC).
• Yap – 4 learning sites; 10% (MC) but have traditionallybased management areas with clan ownership.
Challenges
• All learning sites have Management plans but are
only focused on managed areas (some with
closures, some with species specific, and some
gear use)
• Poaching from neighboring areas – feel left out
• Planning easier than implementation; no budget
for CCOs so limited activity
• Land tenure system in Yap and Chuuk; good if
traditional owners are effective resource
managers – can also mean strong compliance
Challenges
• In Pohnpei and Kosrae - government sanctions
(fines) for illegal fishing are not sufficient
deterrent.
• Gaining community buy-in understanding the
benefits
• ‘Traditional use’ exemption in FSM
Lessons Learned
• Seeing the tangible benefits of fisheries
management in adjacent areas is a powerful
way to get buy in
• Targeting and convincing traditional leaders
about coastal fisheries management can
improve compliance substantially – potentially
greater than a bottom up approach
The Future
• Focusing on fisheries reform for the last two
years; consolidating and amending
regulations to assist meaningful coastal
fisheries management
• Greater empowerment of local (municipal in
FSM) government