Marine Projects 2005-2006

In 2005 and 2006, officers from Pohnpei’s Marine Conservation Unit and Palau’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Protection benefited greatly from two 30-day cross- training sessions that took place in Palau and Pohnpei. Officers learned new techniques in marine law enforcement through participation in actual enforcement activities in the field such as patrol, surveillance, inspections and investigations, with particular emphasis on enforcement in Marine Protected Areas. During the training, each agency also shared information about marine enforcement problems in each respective jurisdiction and recommended ways on how they can best be addressed. Finally the cross-training fostered future cooperation with respect to the exchange of information.

 
In February 2006, Wildlife Alliance conducted threats and needs assessments for coastal marine resources in Kosrae, Chuuk and Yap States in the Federated States of Micronesia. John Gavitt, Senior Enforcement Counsel, was accompanied by his project partner Willy Kostka, Executive Director of the Conservation Society of Pohnpei, and Alissa Takesy, Protected Area Network Coordinator, FSM Department of Economic Affairs. As noted earlier, we conducted a similar assessment in Pohnpei State in 2003, which led to the successful implementation of several recommendations from the assessment, including enforcement workshops, training and changes in legislation and enforcement policy.

The assessment team concluded that strengthening law enforcement programs through legislation, changes in policy, training and the provision of supplies and equipment within each State is very important. However, this will take time and financial resources. Meanwhile, it is critical to begin establishing marine protected areas through initiatives at either the State, municipal or village level to protect the most important reef fish spawning areas and other habitat for other marine species. As these areas are being established, Rapid Ecological Assessments will be needed to identify other areas where marine protected areas are needed, as well as to provide the basis for future harvest regulations for reef species. It is hoped that such efforts will lead to a State-wide protected areas network and a marine enforcement unit assigned to those areas, as has occurred in Pohnpei State.