The proposed project is focused on planting corals in the inshore area of Apai to facilitate the recovery of the coral habitat in the lagoon. Apai is a small village community on the tiny island of Manono. It has a population of between 200-300 people, of which a large number are fisher folks. The main types of fishing methods employed by village fishers in the past were spear fishing, hook and line fishing, net fishing, pole and line fishing and gleaning. The problem currently faced by the village of Apai Manono is damage to coral habitats as a result of increased fishing activities and adverse impacts of natural disasters in the inshore area. A subsequent problem arising from the loss of coral habitat is the decrease in fish species abundance and biodiversity in the area.
Objectives are;
The planting of corals and placement of fish houses in the area will work towards the recovery of the lagoon ecosystem in that an improved coral habitat would be better suited to support inshore fish and invertebrate populations.
The community would also revive its clam breeding and set-up a fish nursery in the marine reserve, this contributes to subsistence livelihood
To generate other income or benefits for the community, an eco-tourism plan is to be developed using the marine protected area as a site for tourist attraction
The community will also review its existing Fisheries Management Plan, for the enforcement of village by laws to ensure that the marine protected area is well managed *****
PROJECT UPDATE: Project currently executed. Need MOA Amendment in order to release 3rd Tranche, third report received by Secretariat but after the due date*****