Thumbnail Image

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

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    A review of the special management areas in Tonga 2017
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    During the 20th century all Tongans have had equal access to the coastal fishery resources of the country and a centralised fisheries management approach. In the mid-1990s, the community-based management concept gained momentum and in the early 2000s a change in Tonga’s fisheries legislation allowed for fisheries management by local communities, through Special Management Areas (SMAs). This document contains the review of the SMA program ten years out from initiation. The review includes key rec ommendations for the improvement of the program based on visits to communities in Vava'u, Ha'apai, and Tongatapu, and discussions with Ministry of Fisheries officials in Nuku’alofa.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Report of the Tonga National Workshop on Special Management Areas: Lessons Learned, Vava’u, Tonga, 30 April–2 May 2019 / Lipooti ki he Fakataha Fakafonua ki he Feitu’u Pule’i Makehe: Ngaahi Lesoni Kuo Tau Ako, Vava’u, Tonga, 30 ‘o ‘Epeleli – 2 ‘o Me 2019 2020
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The national workshop provided an important platform for representatives from coastal fishing communities and other key stakeholders to share lessons learned and discuss ways to strengthen Tonga’s Special Management Areas (SMAs) programme. This workshop specifically aimed to improve awareness on SMAs, clarify best measures to improve community management, compliance and enforcement procedures, and to develop a wider network of support to the programme. This document provides a summary of proceedings of the workshop that was held on 30 April to 2 May 2019. Ko e fakataha fakafonua ko eni, na’e hoko ia ko ha fakataha mahu’inga ma’ae kau fakafofonga ‘o e ngaahi kolo ‘oku tu’u ‘i he matafanga mo e ngaahi kupu kehekehe, ‘i hono fakahoko ha ngaahi fevahevahe’aki ‘o e taukei mo ha ngaahi lesoni ke tau ako ke tokoni ki hono fakalakalaka ‘a e polokalama Feitu’u Pule’i Makehe ‘a Tonga. Ko e ngaahi taumu’a ‘o e fakataha ni, ke fakalahi ‘a e ‘ilo ki he polokalama Feitu’u Pule’i Makehe, fakapapau’i ha ngaahi founga ke toe lelei ange hono pule’i fakakolo ‘a e toutai, fakalelei’i ‘a e ngaahi founga ngaue ki hono fakamamafa’i mo fakahoko ‘o e lao, pehe ki hono toe langa’i e ngaahi fetokoni’aki mo e ngaahi fengaue’aki ‘a e ngaahi kupu kehekehe ki he polokalama Feitu’u Pule’i Makehe. ‘Oku ‘oatu ‘a e tohi ni ‘a e ngaahi fakaikiiki ‘o e fakataha ni, ‘a ia na’e fakahoko ‘i he ‘aho 30 ‘o ‘Epeleli ki he ‘aho 2 ‘o Me 2019.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Project
    Strengthening the Resilience of Coastal Communities by Promoting Responsible Fishing Practices in Latin America and The Caribbean - GCP/RLA/201/GFF 2022
    Also available in:
    The six countries targeted by the project Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago share water and marine resources in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Shrimp/bottom trawl fisheries constitute an important part of the total marine fisheries economy in the project countries, contributing to employment, local income, food security and foreign exchange earnings. Bottom trawling is a type of fishing that has a significant impact upon ecosystems and has generated social conflicts in areas in which it operates. In this context, the project was created with the objective of contributing to reducing the negative ecosystem and social impacts, and to achieve a more sustainable shrimp trawl fishery through both the application of an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) and co management for the active participation of stakeholders. It also planned to promote the improvement and diversification of the livelihoods of coastal communities in order to strengthen resilience and food security.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.