Ghizo Reefs
The Mooring Lines Project
Coral reefs are an important component of Solomon Islands natural inheritance - as an integral part of the complex marine ecosystem, and for their economic value in supporting the traditional subsistence economy and the eco-tourism industry. The coral reefs of Solomon Islands, with their micro-ecosystems and habitats supporting a unique biodiversity, are an important component in the Bismarck - Solomon Seas Ecoregion, and thus have global significance.
In Solomon Islands, coral reefs are coming under ever increasing pressure from local and commercial users. In particular, the reefs closest to population centres are most at risk from exploitation and damage.
In 2001, WWF ran an art competition at the local Community School to support the Gizo Marine Protected Area. This is the winning design by Dixon Brusly, Kolombangara Island, Form 5.
This project is part of a wider WWF marine programme in Western Province, Solomon Islands:
- to halt the gradual deterioration of the coral reefs and the marine biome
- to establish appropriate strategies for sustainable management by the traditional resource-owners
- to maximise opportunities for income generation in ways that respect and support the long-term preservation of Solomon Islands natural inheritance.
This project will focus on the reefs situated close to the Western Provincial capital, Gizo, which are coming under the most pressure from over-use and mis-use.
With funding from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, granted in 2002, and in collaboration with organisations and individuals from the local community, WWF will install mooring lines at 20 of the most vulnerable sites and will develop and implement an awareness and education strategy. This project is a practical way to immediately minimise damage from anchors. In conjunction with WWF's wider conservation programme, the education component will support long-term sustainable management of the Solomons reef systems. As this project will be used as a model for reef protection in other parts of Solomon Islands and the region, the project will have a lasting impact across a wide geographical area. The project is an opportunity for NFWF to make a significant contribution to the long-term preservation of the coral reef systems in Solomon Islands and the western Pacific.
For the past ten years, WWF Solomon Islands has been working with communities to assist them with the design, implementation and monitoring of marine protected areas. WWF has learned a great number of valuable lessons from this work, and is presently designing Phase Two of its overall program in Solomon Islands, taking careful consideration of these lessons. WWF is also interested in sharing these lessons with other NGOs, governments and local organisations, and dissemination of such information will be an important part of the work proposed here. WWF is building on, and augmenting, traditional conservation mechanisms, such as the Tabu, with community-based and designed management and monitoring schemes that have significant scientific input, which is being effectively communicated to reef owners, and other stakeholders, as part of the programme.