Social and economic context of marine resource depletion in Gagil and Maap, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia / by Simon Foale

Abstract

The purpose of the IWP in Yap is to "promote sustainable coastal fisheries via a system of marine protected areas established and maintained through a collaboration of traditional resource owners, government and non-government organizations, and other stakeholders in one management framework" (Anon 2002). The use of MP As is being advocated around the world, particularly the developing world, in part because MP As are relatively uncomplicated to implement compared to technically demanding yield-based management measures such as quotas. This makes MP As veiy suitable for developing countries, especially those with highly diverse multi-species fisheries and relatively weak administrations. The reason for choosing to establish MPAs in Yap is that inshore fisheries and their supporting environments are experiencing increasing pressure from both fishing and (localized) pollution as the population of Yap increases (Goldman 1994a, Anon 2002). Some species (e.g. Tridacna gigas) are apparently overfished, while the case for others rests on anecdotal evidence (Goldman 1994b).