Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Forum

Key resource issues

Management and governance concerns

Overexploitation of marine resources (commercial, artisanal, subsistence)

Potential problems with the live reef fish trade

Interactions between longline fisheries and cetaceans (taking of catch by cetaceans)

Issues of bycatch and incidental catch

Impacts and regulation of detrimental fishing methods (dynamiting and fish poisoning)

Impacts of driftnet fishing

Species-specific issues (e.g. shark finning)

Depletion of inshore resources

Fish kills

Problems with untethered FADs

Overharvesting by traditional/subsistence fishermen as population grows

Sustainable management of tuna fisheries

Need regional management strategy for highly migratory species

Assistance in managing coastal fisheries

Better understanding of the impact of prevailing oceanographic conditions on pelagic fisheries

Problem of determining fisheries sustainability in the absence of good data

Lack of consensus among fisheries managers, scientists and other experts regarding sustainable levels of resource exploitation; define “sustainable fisheries”

Limiting overall fishing capacity while expanding local capacity

Need to sensitise skippers and flag states to arrangements for management and control (vessels operate without the knowledge of either the flag or coastal state)

Need management plan for all fisheries

Lack of credit facilities (business interests and locals do not have easy access to credit facilities to develop fisheries activities)

Non-living marine resources

Key resource issues	Management and governance concerns
	Need more information on deep sea minerals

Climate change

Key resource issues

Management and governance concerns

Sea level rise and related wave and storm damage

Coral bleaching

Effects of increasing ocean temperatures on coastal and ocean ecosystems

Need a study of oceanographic processes, such as El Niño events, oceanic and atmospheric dynamics, to predict climate change.

Criminal activities/security

Key resource issues

Management and governance concerns

Illegal fishing in EEZs

Port safety and port security

Lack of EEZ monitoring and enforcement capacity (illegal fishing)

Lack of staff and facilities/equipment for enforcement of ocean resource-related regulations

Difficulties in meeting upcoming port security obligations (ISPS)

Need monitoring and surveillance systems for illegal activities

Maritime boundary delimitation

Key resource issues

Management and governance concerns

Extension of boundaries beyond 200 miles

Delimitation of continental shelf

Problems in meeting requirements for boundary zone/EEZ definition

Need agreements with respect to management of shared resources.

Resources are subject to customary custodianship; need to empower customary custodians to contribute to effective resource management

Meeting international obligations

Key resource issues

Management and governance concerns

Difficulty in meeting IMO requirements (lack of resources)

Difficulty in meeting requirements of international conventions and organisations

Shipping related issues

Key resource issues

Management and governance concerns

Cabotage (local versus international shipping)

Ballast water disposal (accidental introduction of invasive species)

Environmental impact of oil spills

Oil spillage from ships

Non-biodegradable wastes dumped by ships

Vessel capacity issues (local versus international; local capacity lacking to expand local trade)

Pollution

Key resource issues

Management and governance concerns

Pollution: EEZ and coastal zone

Land-based point and non-point sources (agricultural, domestic, industrial, tourism related)

Pollution from sunken vessels in Melanesia and Micronesia (how can flag states be made to assume responsibility)

Shipment of nuclear waste within Vanuatu EEZ In(lack capacity to deal with any spillage, including oil)

How to secure cooperation from flag states in addressing sunken vessel issues

Need better land use planning

Ecosystem health (coastal and oceanic)

Key resource issues

Management and governance concerns

Impacts on health of coral reefs and related coastal waters

Impact of erosion on coastal waters, reefs, etc.

Exploitation of living marine resources in EEZ and impact on ocean ecosystem

Maintenance of healthy ocean environment

Recreational overuse and misuse

Adoption of integrated management for EEZ and ocean generally

Need for more marine protected areas (MPAs)

Convention on Biological Diversity

Lack of information on critical ecosystems

Impact of development and land based activities

Key resource issues

Management and governance concerns

Impact of increasing populations

Impact of coastal development on coastal resources and ecosystems (septic systems, road building, industrial and agricultural development)

Tourism

Key resource issues

Management and governance concerns

Tourism development impacts

Impacts of natural phenomena

Key resource issues

Management and governance concerns

Storm damage, tsunamis, etc.

El Niño and La Niña

Governance: ability and capacity to manage ocean issues

Key issues and concerns

Capacity building; should be focused and relevant

Lack of skilled people

Problems with the retention of skilled technical people

Need for increased alliances with stakeholders at all levels

Lack of science orientation at elementary/secondary levels

Lack of resources in-country to develop coherent policies and strategies

Ability of government to manage customarily owned lands is limited (customary land accounts for 90% of all land in Solomon Islands)

Need for ongoing training (requires a commitment on part of organisations and donors)

Need for leadership (national level)

Lack of budget allowances for management of ocean resources and issues

Need for improved general management capacity (needs staff with the ability to plan, budget and manage projects)

Need for better strategies for implementing integrated coastal zone management

Hampered by the lack of a policy framework to manage the ocean

Need to coordinate stakeholder interests

Need for economic valuation of resources

Lack of human resources and finance

Updating of national legislation to keep up with international obligations

Excessive emphasis on fisheries

Need institutional strengthening

Lack of a policy framework to manage the ocean

Collaboration/partnerships

Key issues and concerns

Need for increased data sharing/cooperation (in various areas, including in EEZ monitoring)

Problem with duplication of programmes between organisations

Lack of follow-through by developed countries (in terms of providing assistance)

Lack of effective coordination among responsible authorities and with all stakeholders

Need for increased networking of regional/national orgs

Need for increased networking for development of integrated and complimentary policies

Awareness and knowledge

Key issues and concerns

Lack of understanding of ecological/wilderness/cultural values

Loss of traditional knowledge relating to marine ecosystem

Lack of appropriate information

Suggested Approaches

Decentralisation

Regional organisation functions may be improved through decentralisation of activities: suggestion to undertake a review of the functions of CROP agencies

Collective access

Pacific Island states should organise collective access to funding entities when addressing ocean governance issues

National capacity building

Donors should make increased use of national capacity when funding and implementing projects

Realistic, honest approach

Activities should be practical and achievable

Need for honesty

Information sharing

Information that does exist (regarding resources) should be made more readily available and accessible

Management strategies

Precautionary management approaches should be adopted now, based on existing knowledge and data

Living marine resources should be managed by adopting an ecosystem basis

Effective traditional management practices should be integrated with scientific approaches

Adopt integrated ocean management

Establish additional MPAs

Priorities

Priority setting should be undertaken by Pacific Island governments and communities

Political will

Summary of Country Concerns