Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 7. Regulations, Laws and International Agreements
Draft 1 March 2007
all claims in their home islands, and their lands there would be distributed among their kin”
(Maude 1952 and 1968; see also Knudsen 1977). Knudsen (1977) reported that each new
settler in the Phoenix Islands was to be allocated a plot of productive land.
During the 1938 Phoenix Islands Settlement Scheme, each Manra (Sydney) settler received
one block of land containing 25 coconut trees at the center of the coconut tree plantation, and
one block of land at the fringes of the planted area (Knudsen 1965; Maude 1952 and 1968).
An addition block of land was given to each settler at the center of the plantation in the
village for his house. Each child was also given a block of unplanted land that, if not planted
with coconuts within 5 years, would revert to the government. All titles were freehold. Lots
were drawn to determine assignment of blocks. A two week grace period was provided so
that settlers could exchange blocks if so desired. A land book was used to register land
ownership.
The demarcation of kainga land (30.5 m (100 ft) wide running in strips from the lagoon to the
sea) and house plots on Nikumaroro were completed (Laxton 1951).
According to Garnett (1983a), all of the Phoenix Islands were owned by the Government of
Kiribati.
International Ownership – In 1937, the Phoenix Islands were placed under the Gilbert and
Ellice Islands Colony (Bryan 1941 and 1942). In 1938, the U.S. claimed sovereignty over the
Phoenix Islands. In 1939, the U.S. and Great Britain agreed to jointly administer the Phoenix
Islands for 50 years. In 1979, the U.S. surrendered its sovereignty claims over the Phoenix
Islands to the Government of Kiribati under the 1979 Treaty of Friendship (Trease 1993).
Garnett (1983b) reported that American Samoa also claimed Abariringa (Canton). After the
U.S. satellite and missile tracking station was closed in 1979, a small group of I-Kiribati were
based on Abariringa (Canton) to ensure that the American Samoans did not occupy it.
PROTECTED STATUS
Birds - In the amended ordinance, all regularly occurring species of birds, their eggs, and
nests are fully protected (see also Dahl 1980).
Wildlife sanctuaries – Wildlife sanctuaries have been established in Rawaki (Phoenix),
McKean, and Birnie (Anon. 1985; Government of Kiribati 1977; L.N. 24/77 according to
Pulea and Farrier 1993). Garnett (1983a) listed the current protection status of islands in the
Phoenix Islands (see Table III-6.8).
Table III-6.8. Current Protection Status of the Phoenix Islands
(source: Garnett 1983a).
Island Protection Status
Abariringa (Canton, Kanton) None.
Birnie Wildlife Sanctuary
Enderbury None
Manra (Sydney) None
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