Growing the Wealth of the Poor - World Resources Institute

UPDATE: FIJI2007a:iv). A separate study in Navakavu showed that theincrease in fish caught over this period has provided aboutUS$37,800 in benefits to the community (O’Garra 2007:2).The province-wide approaches established in Kadavu andother provinces of Fiji hold considerable promise as a low-costand highly effective method for extending LMMA work toremote sites and may provide a model for other LMMA Networkcountries to emulate (LMMA Network 2006a:35).It is important to note, however, that successful LMMA workrequires a commitment to provide ongoing training for communitymembers who replace people who move away from thevillage. Likewise, continual training is needed in LMMA Networkpartner organizations, such as government ministries, since staffmove around over the course of their careers and often leave thedistricts in which they had begun promoting LMMAs.LMMAs have also enhanced social cohesion by increasingvillage fundraising for communal purposes, such as to supportthe local church or schools. Households earning additionalincome from selling surplus fish and shellfish are better able tomeet their traditional social obligation to contribute to villagefundraising. For instance, in Waiqanake village in Navakavu,the Community Fundraising Project recently amassed someF$20,000 (about US$12,000), three quarters of which camefrom the sale of fish and shellfish from the LMMA (van Beukeringet al. 2007:9).The role of external funding has also been significant. The costof the LMMA Network’s core operations is about US$500,000per year, much of which has historically been supplied by U.S.-based charitable organizations, including the MacArthur andPackard Foundations. It has been challenging for the networkto secure additional sources of support, especially for core costs(USP 2007:23).A FLMMA Trust Fund has been established to provide ongoingvillage assistance costs once donor funding ends. It was originallyestablished with prize money from international awards forFLMMA work. More recently, Conservation International hascommitted funds in return for FLMMA managing the organization’sFiji Marine Managed Area initiative. A marinebioprospecting venture has also contributed to the fund.Individual communities are being encouraged to establish theirown trust funds as well (Aalbersberg 2008).44SustainabilityThe LMMA approach has several distinct characteristics thatcontribute to its ability to create long-term change. First, itrelies on strong commitment and motivation from the communitiesthemselves, which tends to promote enhanced resilience.Experience with the initial LMMAs indicates that communitiesremain engaged in the collective efforts needed for successfulongoing resource management.Another favorable aspect is the relatively low cost to establishan LMMA. For instance, the total cost to establish the LMMAin Navakavu is estimated at less than US$12,000 over 5years—a modest investment that has led to a doubling ofaverage household income for about 600 people (Leisher et al.Challenges to the LMMAsIn addition to the sustainability challenges described above,the LMMA approach faces other tests as it expands throughoutFiji and the South Pacific.RepresentationTraditional Fijian cultural norms tend to emphasize the involvementof older, male community members in decisions onmarine resources. Women and youth are often challenged tomake their voices heard.