Solomon Islands Implements New Tool to Improve Marine Protected Area Management

Twenty five representatives from community, government and non-government organizations from the Solomon Islands took a significant step to address the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Regional and National Plan of Action goals of ensuring effective management of marine protected areas (MPA) by implementing a new tool adapted to local conditions. The MPA Management Effectiveness Assessment Tool was introduced at a workshop on August 1-3, 2012 in Honiara and supports a key goal of the CTI which is to ensure that 20% of the Coral Triangle is placed under protection and effectively managed by 2020. The tool enables communities and marine resource managers to improve the management of an MPA using biophysical, social, and governance factors. It is being translated into the local language, enhanced to include local indicators, and rolled out between August to November 2012. The tool is being developed by USAID’s Coral Triangle Support Partnership in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, the Solomon Islands Locally Managed Marine Area Network, the Coral Triangle Center, and the Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management.