Institute of Applied Science,The University of the South Pacific
Abstract
This report provides an overview of the characteristics and implementation of Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMA) in the Pacific region, and outlines the status of LMMA activities in Palau, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and the Federated States of Micronesia. The report provides a case study of the Fiji LMMA Network; presenting the process followed and outcomes achieved. It has been observed that “small community-based protected areas can yield significant increase in biological productivity and associated biodiversity also seems to increase in undisturbed (protected) areas.” Socioeconomic benefits from LMMAs have also been observed; in one area there has been reported a significant increase household income and an increase in catch rates. The author reports that community and cultural pride have increased with spread of the successes being experienced, and interest has been developed in the younger generations in both scientific and traditional ways. Community cohesion has increased and skills developed in resource planning, monitoring, analysis and communication. The report highlights that “some individual LMMA sites have already discovered the mutual benefits of having the tourism industry be closely involved in these community-based conservation efforts” and communicates a hope that the involvement of the tourism industry in LMMA network will continue and develop
