Agreement: Reverse Fishing in the Phoenix Islands

Location

Phoenix Islands, Kiribati

Description

This case study was presented in June 2008 at the workshop, A Private Sector Approach – Conservation Agreements in Support of Marine Protection. The information below is a short abstract of the case study. A complete case study will be posted on the toolkit prior to October 2008.

Green moray eel emerges from reef in Phoenix Islands. Photo ©New England Aquarium.

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) is a unique partnership between the Government of Kiribati that owns the Phoenix Islands, non-governmental conservation organizations and regional governments. The New England Aquarium has been instrumental in the development of PIPA. Initially, the New England Aquarium lead the scientific surveys of the Phoenix Islands, but is now helping coordinate  the implementation team, donors, funding and future research for the project. The PIPA will be supported by a unique “reverse fishing license” financing program in which the Government of Kiribati will be reimbursed for the amount that they would have made from selling fishing licenses if PIPA were not protected. The trust will be administered by the Government of Kiribati and an advisory board, working collaboratively to ensure the long-term sustainability of this remarkable place.

Contact Information

Peter Shelley, Director
Mass. Advocacy Center, Conservation Law Foundation
62 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02110
Tel: 617-850-1754
E-mail: Pshelley@clf.org

Gregory S. Stone, PhD
Vice President Global Marine Programs
New England Aquarium
Central Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
Tel: 617-973-5229
E-mail: gstone@neaq.org

See Also

• Phoenix Islands Protected Area
• New England Aquarium