U.S. Providing Support for USP Marine Management Program

MR: Aug 28, 2007

The United States National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will conduct a workshop in Suva from 28-30 August to train 35 Fisheries Department, USP and NGO scientists in Marine Protected Area (MPA) methods. 

John Parks, a NOAA scientist and co-author of the book “How Is Your MPA Doing”, will lead the workshop.  He said, “Fiji has been a world leader in its community-based marine conservation efforts with its commitment to effectively manage 30% of its marine area.”

The workshop goal is to identify new opportunities, set priorities, and develop a draft framework regarding future monitoring and evaluation activities relating to marine managed areas (MMAs) in Fiji.

A meeting the following week in Kadavu will help leaders there define a vision for marine conservation work.  Kadavu’s “Yaubula Management Support Team” has developed management plans for its entire coastline and is working on developing an island-wide development plan.

The United States Embassy is a strong supporter of such environmental collaboration.  Regional Environment Officer Joe Murphy is helping develop long-term partnerships between U.S. and Pacific Island institutions to sustainably manage marine resources that are critical to the livelihoods and development of Pacific peoples.

NOAA is also funding a study of the marine-managed area USP’s Institute of Applied Science has undertaken, especially in Tikina Korolevu I Wai along the Coral Coast.  Marine biologists Victor Bonito and James Comley are coordinating the research which Ron Simpson, a USP postgraduate student, is carrying out.