Download Draft Fisheries Plan Palmerston

Draft Fisheries Plan for the
Marine Resources of Palmerston
Developed by
THE PEOPLE OF PALMERSTON
WITH SUPPORT FROM MINISTRY OF
MARINE RESOURCES
Palmerston Island
INTRODUCTION

Process towards Ecosystem Based
Management planning for the Marine
Resources of Palmerston Is, Cook Islands.
 The information incorporates the views of the
people of Palmerston with cooperation from
the Ministry of Marine Resources.
 Ownership by the people of Palmerston, in its
development, implementation and follow-up,
is essential for its effectiveness and success.
 The plan must be of benefit to the Palmerston
community and its marine resources.
BACKGROUND
 William
Masters settled in Palmerston in
1863
 3 wives
 Land divided into 3 and 1 area to each of
the descendants
 The lagoon and reef areas are common to
all
The reefs of Palmerston atoll.
HISTORY

The economic development of the Palmerston
community was highly dependent on the
exploitation of its reef and lagoon resources,
notably parrotfish
 Ciguatera and decline of lagoon and reef
resources in Rarotonga place a high demand for
parrot fish and seafood resources from elsewhere.
 The Palmerston fishery is a major, supply source
to satisfy the Rarotonga market.
 There is a growing awareness that reef and
lagoon resources in Palmerston are declining, and
that management interventions are needed to
maintain and to restore the island’s fisheries and
resources.
Some areas of Palmerston atoll are still healthy and host good
amount of fish.
A Framework for an Ecosystem Based to
Management of the Palmerston Island Marine
Resources

The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) is just
one of a large number of concepts that have been generated over
the past decade to describe taking a more comprehensive approach
to the management of natural resources. The key elements of all
these types of approaches within a fisheries context, is that they
require dealing with all the ecological consequences of fishing and
also understanding the social and economic implications that this
activity provides (Fletcher, 2006[1]).

[1]Fletcher, R., May 2006: A guide to implementing an ecosystem approach
to fisheries management (EAFM) within the Western and Central Pacific
region.
Objective of a Management Plan
for Palmerston
“To preserve and improve the reef and
lagoon resources from today and in the
future for maintaining at all times the
livelihood (food and income) of all
families on Palmerston Is.”
Issues to be addressed
 species
caught : e.g.. target and bycatch
 ecosystem structure :eg. impacts of the
environment on lagoon :eg. impacts of
fishing on the environment
 community well being : eg income : food
security
 administrative issues : eg capacity
building: monitoring and reporting:
compliance: legislation
SPECIES CAUGHT
Target Species for Export
Rei
Show
Parrot Fish
Greenfish.
Akau
Other fish?
Target Species for local consumption and gifting
Taiva
Pateke
Tarava
Kaketevake
Ngatara
Kaa
Fish
Api
Kanae
Morava
Manaringa
Uoa
Invertebrates
Pa’ua
Eke
Ariri
Koura
Tupa
Kai
Cont’
ECOSYSTEM
STRUCTURE
Fishery Impacts on
Environment
Waste – Biodegradable
guts - frames
Fishing Operations Netting
Associated Impacts
Impacts of
Environment of Fishery
Blasting Passage
Cyclones
Shipwrecks
Cont’
COMMUNITY WELL BEING
Income/Employment
Food security/nutrition
Community Co-operation
Community Involvement
Main Species caught – Hipposcarus
longiceps and Chlorurous microrhinus,
Interview process
 Solutions
and Actions and Risks have
been identified
 Further development requires additional
input, discussion and engagement
between the people of Palmerston and the
Ministry of Marine Resources.
Why it should work
 Aware
of their resources
 Knowledgeable of the issues
 Involvement of the all community
members in this process
 Livelihood
 Limited commercial alternatives
 Leadership