Our Sea of Islands Our Livelihoods Our Oceania - SPREP

The current capability (which includes: current staffing, institutional arrangements, training of
future fisheries managers, development models used, institutional orientation, responsiveness
and accountability) of most fisheries agencies of Pacific Island countries falls short of being able
to provide the levels of support and direction necessary to achieve a secure, long-term future for
fisheries in 2035.
The success of fisheries focused interventions are reliant upon progress being made in much
broader-based national and regional policies that range across and impact all sectors.
On the matter of implementing the ecosystem approach to coastal fisheries and aquaculture in
Pacific Island countries and territories a review of the current status and principles and approaches
for strategic implementation prepared by Preston (2009) finds a “moderate pace” to progress with
few countries enacting laws or declaring policies and developing strategic plans that commit them to
implementing the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF). It cites insufficient political interest or will,
lack of relevant technical knowledge, poor inter-agency collaboration and institutional inertia as some
of the problems impeding progress.
However, despite these the review suggests that many countries are complying with EAF in a de facto
manner through promotion of community-based management or co-management arrangements,
establishment of marine protected areas and marine managed areas. It highlights that many of the
factors that have a negative effect on marine ecosystems fall under the remit and control of government
bodies other than fisheries agencies. Therefore cooperation through establishment of inter-agency
committees or working groups may assist to overcome the institutional barriers and lead to stringer
integrated coastal management (ICM) as well as implementing the EAF.
CHALLENGES TO IMPLEMENTING THE ECOSySTEM APPROACH TO FISHERIES (EAF) (PRESTON, 2009)
ICM and EAF are complementary and if implemented together would greatly assist in the move
toward sustainable management and use of coastal ecosystems. Both approaches require the
involvement of a wide range of stakeholders, often with conflicting mandates or interests, who
will have to work together to agree on mutually acceptable goals and management approaches.
Many EAF principles are in line with traditional and customary ways of doing things in the
Pacific and permit Pacific Islands countries and territories to move towards sustainable fisheries
management arrangements that contribute more effectively to the maintenance of livelihoods,
lifestyles and ecosystem services than the more conventional fishery management systems have
done.
On the subject of nature conservation, the 7th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and
Protected Areas held in 2002 resolved to increase effective conservation action in the Pacific islands by:
Fostering greater coordination and collaboration among national, regional and international organizations;
Identifying critical gaps in the Action Strategy and developing new conservation activities in the region;
Communicating and linking with countries through NBSAPs or alternative processes to promote
implementation and monitoring of the Action Strategy; Strengthening linkages with CROP agencies to
promote multi-sectoral mainstreaming at the regional level; and, Strengthening linkages with regional and
34 Our Sea of Islands – Our Livelihoods – Our Oceania