Improving MPA Management Effectiveness

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Site Overview Location Information Goals and Accomplishments Site Management Other Site Evaluations and Research Contact Information and Web Links
Site Overview
General description of site: Lenger is a small island located east of Pohnpei, Micronesia. It is adjacent to an island called Sapwitik, which is formed on the same fringing reef. Lenger holds a community with an approximate population of 50. Lenger Island has a long and varied history of helping to improve the environment. It was once a sea turtle hatchery during the Japanese occupation of Pohnpei. Now the abandon World War II sea plane air strip is home to a Giant Clam Hatchery that is helping to reseed the reefs of Pohnpei and the FSM. Lenger Island is helping to safeguard the waters of Pohnpei by becoming the first Community-based Marine Protected Area in the FSM, and it is also a state legislated MPA.. The 1.5 square mile MPA contains a variety of diverse habitats from mangrove forest and sea grass beds to fringing and patch reefs. This is home to a diverse population of marine organisms but due to heavy fishing and anchor damage these numbers are rapidly declining. Therefore, a designated Restricted Area has been set aside as a safe haven for all marine organisms to thrive and proliferate. Date of establishment: February 2001 Area (Km²): 2 Size of site (S <= 20Km²; M = 20 - 2000Km²; L >= 2000Km²): Small Ecosystem type/main ecological features: Coral reef Description of special resources; important ecological features; reason for establishing a protected area: Siganidae spawning and aggregation site; Turtle hatchery; Invertebrate species; and, WWII Base
Location Information
Geographic coordinates (lat/long): Site 1 0700'045" N, 15813'471" E ; Site 2 0700'152" N, 15813'936" E ; Site 3 0700'460" N, 15813'803" E ; Site 4 0700'561" N, 15813'723" E ; Site 5 0700'467" N, 15813'246" E ; Site 6 0700'324" N, 15813'085" E; Site 7 0700'109" N, 15813'058" E ; Site 8 0659'946" N, 15813'238" E Nearest major city: Kolonia Region: Tropical
Goals and Accomplishments
Goals and objectives of MPA: Protecting the marine biodiversity and to help improve the livelihood of Lenger Island community. Site accomplishments to date: Marine Protected Areas (MPA): 1. Boundary markers and buoys Monitoring: 1. Fish count 2. Coral monitoring 3. Sedimentation Mariculture: 1. Sponge farm
Site Management
Management objective: No-take Type of management structure: Community-based Challenges of site management: People value and are genuinely concerned about their natural heritage, but have lost management skills When assisted and have the feeling of ownership, they are willing to manage resources Without community blessing and participation, resource management will never be sustainable and/or successful Community conservation efforts will not be successful without government support and legislation Providing alternate sources of income makes conservation much more appealing "Bottom up" approach is more attractive than "top down" Does a management plan exist? No Summary of main aspects of management plan: N/A Main stakeholders involved: Division of Marine Conservation; Marine Development; Nett District Government; Lenger Island Community; Conservation Society of Pohnpei; and, Funders
Other Site Evaluations and Research
Description of any other site evaluations to date: A marine resource survey was undertaken in 1999 Listing of current/recent research activities: None
Contact Information and Web Links
Main Contact Information: Eugene Joseph Marine Program Manager P.O. Box 2461 Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia Ph: + (691) 320-5409 Fax: + (691) 320-5063 e-mail: csp@mail.fm Other Contact Information: William Kostka Executive Director Conservation Society of Pohnpei Link to pilot site Web page or related Web sites: Do not exist. (top)

Lenger Island Marine Protected Area, Pohnpei Island, Federated States of Micronesia