Republic of the Marshall Islands

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Republic of the Marshall Islands
Accomplishments Challenges Needs Donald Hess
College of the
Marshall Islands
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RMI 2 chains of atolls in the middle of the
Pacific
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(No Transcript)
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low lying islands

• 70 sq. miles of land
• over 700,000 sq. miles of water

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Accomplishments
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Formation of the Coastal Management Advisory
Council (CMAC)
An inter-governmental, non-governmental group led
by the Marshall Islands Marines Resources
Authority
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Survey Expeditions 2002-2005
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College of the Marshall Islands Marine Science
Program
Education
Research
Conservation
Outreach/demonstrations
Capacity building
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Long term reef monitoring
Long term reef monitoring sites
Pin installations or detailed mapping
Photo-transect only
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PLACING OF PERMANENT TRANSECTS
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The formulation of a community-based fisheries
management plans based on the needs of each local
community in the Republic of the Marshall
Islands.
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COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
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Photo-documented dive sites 2001-2005
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MARICULTURE

• CLAMS
• PEARL OYSTERS
• CORALS
• MARINE ORNAMENTALS
• SEAWEED (pilot)
• FINFISH (pilot)

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Challenges
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INDUSTRIAL FISHING
tuna fishing
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Land Rights Issues
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enforcement against illegal foreign fishing
fleets
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• environmental issues
• - garbage disposal
• - ballast waters
• dredging
• erosion
• ship grounding
• dry dock

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SOCIO ECONOMIC ISSUES

• Cultural Values
• Food Security
• Overpopulation
• Alternative Income Generation
• - Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU)
  Fishing

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TOURISM
wreck diving
sport fishing
reef diving
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CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES
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CORAL DISEASE
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Coral Bleaching
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CROWN OF THORNS
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Plans for the Future and Future Needs
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Fishery Management Plans for each atoll
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Conservation
Recommendations for MPAs based on ecology,
biodiversity and larval dispersal results
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conservation for tourism
High tourism potential for photographers and
nature lovers new income generation activities
nature guides, interpreters, park rangers
Self-financed parks - Tourist entrance fees for
snorkelers, divers, and yachts - Researchers at
Marine Stations - Income from aquaculture
associated to MPAs
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conservation for preservation of sites of
exceptional beauty and extremely high
biodiversity
Pristine reefs, High variety of
habitats, Abundant fish populations, Large
predatory fish, Giant clams, Very high
diversity, New species and range extensions
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Network of MPAs More education, capacity
building, community based monitoring and
assistance to Government
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Highest Needs
FINANCIAL HELP - training - surveys and
monitoring - enforcement - public awareness
TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR - pollution control -
strengthening of agencies - enforcement - remote
sensors/video cameras - legal assistance -
patrol boats
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Kommol tata!