Download Document Resources covering Legislation

In line with both Fisheries Department and NPAPSP recommendations, this Management Plan has been prepared with the input of the various stakeholders of the Atoll through meetings with the Advisory Committee, and interviews with a wide variety of individuals, including fishermen, tourism sector, management staff and researchers, and seeks to protect the resources of the reserve while allowing economic benefit through sustainable fishing and tourism. The management programs are based on the best available data and scientific knowledge, with the integration of conservation planning strategies, and fit within the scope of the current zoning scheme and regulations that govern the reserve.

The management plan, submitted to Fisheries Department, is designed to guide the management of the Marine Reserve through the next five years, providing a framework for both broad management activities as well as more specific research and monitoring activities. Detailed operational plans will be developed on an annual basis by the Fisheries Department, the Marine Reserve management agency, based on the framework provided by this management plan, and an annual review of implementation success will allow for adaptive management over the five year period.

The Management Plan summarises the outputs of the conservation planning processes - for the Marine Reserve itself, for the larger seascape, and for ridge to reef connectivity, and integrates climate change assessment outputs. It identifies the management challenges, and defines the goals and objectives of management.

The Plan provides a framework for both broad management strategies as well as more specific activities to achieve the goals of maintaining ecosystem functions and natural resource values. It outlines specific management programs, based on the best available data and scientific knowledge, integrating conservation planning strategies, as well as relevant strategies of national and regional plans. It also sets in place the means for measuring management effectiveness, and recommends an implementation schedule. It is recommended that detailed annual operational plans be developed based on the framework provided by this management plan, with an annual review of implementation success, allowing for adaptive management over the five-year period – 2019 to 2023.

In line with the National Protected Areas Policy and System Plan, this Management Plan has been prepared with the input of the various stakeholders of the protected area through meetings with SEA staff, a series of workshops with key stakeholder components, and interviews with a wide variety of individuals, including fishermen, the tourism sector, management staff
and researchers. It seeks to conserve the resources of the reserve while allowing economic benefit through sustainable fishing and tourism. The management programmes are based on
the best available data and scientific knowledge, with the integration of conservation planning strategies, and fit within the scope of the current zoning scheme and regulations that govern the protected area, except where recommended management regimes are highlighted for review.

This management plan is designed to guide the management of the Marine Reserve through the next five years, providing a framework for both broad management activities as well as more
specific research and monitoring activities. It is recommended that detailed operational plans be developed based on the implementation format, on an annual basis by the Southern
Environmental Association, based on the framework provided by this management plan, with an annual review of implementation success, allowing for adaptive management over the five year period.