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Implementing Recommendations to Strengthen and Enhance Tonga’s Special Management Area (SMA) Programme towards Better-Managed Coastal Fisheries Resources and Empowered, Food Secure Communities - TCP/TON/3603 (Phase I) and TCP/TON/3801 (Phase II)

Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 8

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Project

Synopsis (short abstract) Coastal fisheries are vital to the livelihoods and economy of Tonga. However, dwindling coastal fisheries resources have raised concerns among coastal communities highlighting the need to better manage these resources. In 2006, Tonga introduced the community-based Special Management Area (SMA) programme, which aimed to strengthen the management of these resources. A decade later, the Tonga Government requested FAO to review the SMA's effectiveness, which led to the identification of priority issues and recommendations for improvement. In collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries (MoF), Phase I of this project was designed to address technical gaps identified during the review, streamline the SMA programme and empower food-secure communities with the goal of achieving a more cost-effective and efficient SMA programme. However, the project’s implementation encountered challenges, which halted the original plans. In response, Phase II was established to continue the implementation of the project activities, including completing the SMA manual and training MoF staff and local communities.

Language English

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