Solomon Islands Community Responds to CTI-CFF’s Climate Priorities

In response to priorities identified in their National Plan of Action (NPOA) for CTI-CFF, the Arnavon Islands community in Solomon Islands has taken the lead in collecting data on sea level rise to monitor changes in beach movement that affect nesting sea turtles, Henry Kaniki, Project Coordinator for the Arnavon Community Marine Conservation Area (ACMCA), reported in the Solomon Star News (external link).

Through the support of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), ACMCA members trained in the correct method of collecting sea level rise data to ensure that the data collected are accurate and reliable, the report said. Data collection is carried out monthly and will provide information to show the relationship between the turtles’ behavior and factors, such as sea level rise, that impact conservation efforts at Arnavon Islands, an area known for its rich marine diversity and as the “Home of the Hawksbill Turtle.”

Although concerned primarily about local threats, Arnavon Islands leaders are taking a broader perspective, saying their priority is to address the needs of their community as well as contribute to the implementation of their CTI-CFF NPOA. ACMCA has programs that address the CTI-CFF goals on seascapes, marine protected areas, climate change and threatened species.

Climate change is being blamed as a likely cause of decreased number of turtle nests in the Islands, but the community is also concerned about other threats, including those caused by human activities. They have demarcated a 157-square kilometer MPA that also encompasses terrestrial and cultural sites.