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The harvest of coastal resources for the aquarium trade provides important economic opportunities for Pacific Island countries. Of particular relevance is the trade in hard corals, for which exports are controlled under the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The research agreement signed on 19th December 2005 by the Institute of Research for Development (IRD), the University Paul Sabatier (Toulouse III) and Nantes University, the Pharmacochemical laboratories of Natural Substances and Pharmacophores Redox (UMR 1165) and the Centre of Maritime and Ocean Law (EA 1165, CDMO) led to the international research program “Coral Reef Initiatives for the Pacific” (CRISP). Within the CRISP program, the research work was incorporated under component 2C: Bioprospection and marine active substances, CDMO being in charge of the section: Legal aspects related to the valorization of marine biodiversity

This is the report of a two week study tour in three Pacific Island countries, designed to share experience in the innovative sustainable management of marine fish stocks. The study team included two community leaders each from Papua New Guinea (PNG), Vanuatu and Samoa, accompanied by one person from the Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit (CPSU), University of London, a senior regional academic nominated by the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC), and a Commonwealth Foundation consultant organiser.

At a time when many developed countries are searching for alternatives to national park schemes, some of the less wealthy nations have already adopted other sustainable mechanisms for protected area management. Vanuatu is one such country - a nation that has retained a surprisingly rich cultural heritage despite many years of administration by Britain and France. Vanuatu's customary laws have been successfully incorporated into a western legislation model to provide a regime, which meets the needs of its people by providing both sustainable livelihoods and environmental protection.

Mongabay rainforest profiles: American Samoa, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu