#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002
The black pearl industry is developing rapidly in French Polynesia and the Cook Islands,
and the holding lagoons have experienced eutrophication, algal blooms and mortality of
pearl oysters, fish and invertebrates due to the large quantities of faecal pellets.
CORAL REEF PROTECTED AREAS AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES, LAWS AND LEGISLATION
There are a few MPAs for coral reefs in this region and these include areas for fishery
recruitment, shoreline stabilisation, and ecotourism. However, traditional measures used
by local communities constitute de facto conservation areas. Legislation for reef
protection is mostly ignored and enforcement is poor. The current emphasis is on
developing community-based management as the bottom-up approach is more
appropriate in Pacific communities; however top-down ‘government’ approaches are
essential to start many of these processes.
Very few reefs have formal protection under international conventions e.g. Taiaro atoll,
Tuamotu Archipelago which is a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO. There are no
World Heritage or Ramsar sites with coral reefs, although some conservation projects are
planned in the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Kiribati. Most countries have
adequate legislation to establish MPAs, but political will is usually lacking. The Cook
Islands have declared 5 unofficial coastal areas of Rarotonga (15% of the area) as
temporary non-harvesting zones based on ‘Ra’ui’, a traditional Polynesian method of
rotating protected zones. Two uninhabited atolls are nature reserves (Scilly and
Bellinghausen, French Polynesia) and there are several seabird sanctuaries in Kiribati (e.g.
Jarvis and Starbuck islands). There are some traditional conservation areas in Niue, and
‘clam circles’ protect giant clam resources in Tonga. There are no MPAs in Wallis and
Futuna, but 3 zones have been selected and will be protected according to traditional law.
Most conservation laws are recent, and frequently based on fisheries management of key
resources (regulated areas, fishing seasons and quotas). However, traditional management
of coral reef resources is still strong throughout the region and often backed by
legislation. Many countries have more recent legislation that could be used to conserve
CORAL REEF MPAS INFRENCH POLYNESIA AND WALLIS AND FUTUNA
Integrated Coastal Management is being attempted in 2 French overseas territories. In
Moorea and Bora Bora, management plans will be adopted in late 2002 and 2003
respectively. These plans are being launched by the Municipal Councils which continue
the dialogue until a consensus is reached between all stakeholders interested in the
reefs and the lagoon habitats and their resources (fishing, tourism, local leisure, boating
etc.). These Management plans include establishing protected areas where some
activities will be prohibited or regulated. Many other Management Plans will be
launched in the near future for Fangatau, Fakahina, Raiatea, Tahaa, Rangiroa, Makatea,
Tikehau, Mataiva and Fakarava islands. In Wallis and Futuna, 3 coral reef protected
areas covering 50ha devoted to protection and education have been nominated by
traditional local authorities (a fringing reef, barrier reef and outer reef slope), and
these will be managed by the local populations.
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