Final Report: Examining how ridge-to-reef governance in Palau can enhance coastal food security in a changing climate
Dates
Acquisition
2023-01-17
Summary
The people of the Republic of Palau rely on coasts for food, culture, and their economy. Stressors from land use change, sea-level rise, and warming oceans could threaten the food and livelihood security of many Palauans. Moreover, potential unintended consequences of conservation policies could increase pressures on already heavily exploited reef systems. Specifically, the recently implemented Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) closed 80% of Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone to fishing. As offshore fish become more scarce in the domestic market, managers worry about increased harvesting pressure on already overfished nearshore resources. Adaptively managing stressors in an integrated way can cost-effectively mitigate declines and [...]
Summary
The people of the Republic of Palau rely on coasts for food, culture, and their economy. Stressors from land use change, sea-level rise, and warming oceans could threaten the food and livelihood security of many Palauans. Moreover, potential unintended consequences of conservation policies could increase pressures on already heavily exploited reef systems. Specifically, the recently implemented Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) closed 80% of Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone to fishing. As offshore fish become more scarce in the domestic market, managers worry about increased harvesting pressure on already overfished nearshore resources. Adaptively managing stressors in an integrated way can cost-effectively mitigate declines and even promote recovery, resulting in direct benefits to coastal communities.
This project characterized the dependence of Palauans on nearshore fisheries for subsistence and livelihoods, and mapped areas where land use and climate change are threats to nearshore habitats. We then evaluated if, where, and how different governance institutions protect ecological structure and function in a manner that integrates across land and sea. Results illuminate connectivity of Palauan communities to nearshore resources and highlight opportunities to enhance ridge-to-reef governance structures to support adaptive ridge-to-reef management. With an aim to ensure food and livelihoods security outcomes, the Palau International Coral Reef Center, our partner and the preeminent marine science center, along with other Palauan resource management institutions, can use this information to prioritize action and bolster governance capacity at the most critical coastal areas.
