Ghizo Reefs

The Mooring Lines Project

In Solomon Islands, coral reefs are coming under ever increasing pressure from local and commercial users. In particular, the reefs closest to population centres are most at risk from exploitation and damage. In this project, WWF will install moorings at some of the most vulnerable sites in Gizo, the captial of the Western Province.

Importance of Coral reefs
Coral reefs are an important component of Solomon Islands natural inheritance:

• They are an integral part of the complex marine ecosystem. The coral reefs of Solomon Islands, with their micro-ecosystems and habitats supporting a unique biodiversity, are an important component in the Bismarck - Solomon Seas Ecoregion, and thus have global significance.
• They are also invaluable for their economic value in supporting the traditional subsistence economy and the eco-tourism industry.
  

Mooring Lines Project part of a wider programme
This project is part of a wider WWF marine programme in Western Province, Solomon Islands:

• to halt the gradual deterioration of the coral reefs and the marine biome
• to establish appropriate strategies for sustainable management by the traditional resource-owners
• to maximise opportunities for income generation in ways that respect and support the long-term preservation of Solomon Islands natural inheritance.

Project focus: Gizo
This project will focus on the reefs situated close to the Western Provincial capital, Gizo, which are coming under the most pressure from over-use and mis-use.

Installing mooring lines to protect vulnerable sites
With funding from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), granted in 2002, and in collaboration with organisations and individuals from the local community, WWF will install mooring lines at 20 of the most vulnerable sites and will develop and implement an awareness and education strategy.

Spreading awareness on sustainable management
This project is a practical way to immediately minimise damage from anchors. In conjunction with WWF's wider conservation programme, the education component will support long-term sustainable management of the Solomons reef systems.

Model project
This project will have a lasting impact across Soloman Islands and neighboring region because it will be used as a model for reef protection. The project is an opportunity for NFWF to make a significant contribution to the long-term preservation of the coral reef systems in Solomon Islands and the western Pacific.

Working closely with the local communities over the last 10 years
For the past 10 years, WWF Solomon Islands has been working with communities to assist them with the design, implementation and monitoring of marine protected areas. WWF has learned a great number of valuable lessons from this work, and is presently designing Phase 2 of its overall program in Solomon Islands, taking careful consideration of these lessons.

WWF is also interested in sharing these lessons with other NGOs, governments and local organisations, and dissemination of such information will be an important part of the work proposed here.

WWF is building on, and augmenting, traditional conservation mechanisms, such as the Tabu, with community-based and designed management and monitoring schemes that have significant scientific input, which is being effectively communicated to reef owners, and other stakeholders, as part of the programme.