Case study: The Funafuti Conservation Area, Funafuti atoll, Tuvalu : drawing lessons for future marine conservation planning and management

Abstract

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have gained wide acceptance among coastal planners, managers, researchers, and scientists as an effective tool that can be utilized to protect threatened marine and coastal ecosystems. MPAs allow depleted breeding stocks of important food fish and invertebrate species to regenerate and become re-established, providing a foundation for sustainable fisheries. Typically, the MPA model comprises a core “’no-take” conservation area, within which harvest of fish and other consumable resources is strictly prohibited, and a surrounding “buffer zone” in which non-intensive fishing practices are permitted. The full commitment and participation of the local community in planning, design, and implementation can ensure the long-term viability of such projects.