Bio-diversity

The project goal is to build the capacity of Kia community marine resource management structures to ensure effective monitoring and implementation of the Kia District Marine Resources Management Plan. Environment This project is expected to have positive biodiversity outcomes through the sustainable management of marine resources which will reduce overharvesting , and through the promotion of the conservation of important marine habitats. By involving leaders, men, women, youth and children there will be a much greater chance of ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources into the future by better use of the management plan that Kia District has already worked so hard to produce. Livelihood Kia community relies on their marine resources for their livelihood. Management by the community of our own resources will ensure that this important livelihood option will remain into the future and can be enhanced. Sustainable marine resource use will contribute to food security, community resilience and to the implementation of national plans such as the NBSAP. It will also work toward the goals of the bottom up approach of the CNURA government. WorldFish staff will assist the Kia community to ensure that activities are consistent with governments overall goals and in particular the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources coastal community strategy. Empowerment of beneficiaries Marine resources are important culturally. Empowering the women to be able to teach their children about sustainable resource management will promote a better understanding of the environment and its links to Solomon lsland culture. The men and women in the community feel that such an approach will result in discussion within the family home of traditional resource management approaches and their potential role for ensuring a resilient community into the future. The community has been involved in the development of the management plan since 2005, has a good understanding of some of the difficulties involved and has developed some mechanisms to deal with them. Others will be addressed through this project including training in specialized areas such as financial management. The committees have made decisions already about how the plan should be organized and how activities should be conducted that are in keeping with their cultural values. For any WorldFish activities in the community only trained staff experienced in working in Solomon Island communities will contribute to the project and Solomon Island women on staff will work with the Mother s Union. Under the plan, chiefs and village leaders are required to take an active role in enforcement to ensure that disputes over area/resource ownership can be resolved. There will be consultation at all steps with the chiefs and church leaders.

Solomon islands