For bibliographic purposes, this document should be cited as: Nickerson, D.J. Maniku, M.H. (eds). Report and Proceedings of the Maldives/FAO National Workshop on Integrated Reef Resources Management in the Maldives. Malé, 16-20 March, 1996, Madras, BOBP, Report No. 76. Pages 250 + VI
For much of the world's tropical population, coral reefs are synonymous with reef fish and edible marine invertebrates. Reef-related fisheries are important to small-scale fisherfolk, as a source of both protein and livelihood security for local coastal communities.
In all of Asia, coral reef resources play a role in the food and livelihood security of coastal communities. Perhaps nowhere in Asia in this role more important than in the Maldives. As a student working group in the Workshop put it, "The whole livelihood of the Maldivians depends on the reef resources."
The Republic of Maldives initiated IRRM to improve the management of its reef resources. IRRM is supported by BOBP and combines scientific and fisherfolk knowledge with the expertise and input of all Ministries with jurisdiction in areas impacting reef resources. Issue areas for management under IRRM include (1) Reef fishery (2) Bait fishery for the tuna pole and line fishery (3) Coral mining (4) Tourism and fishery interactions and (5) Legal and institutional aspects of IRRM.
The IRRM Workshop was convened to share scientific and socio-economic information on the five issue areas and to obtain a common understanding and agreement among the many government agencies, public interest groups and the private sector on the objectives and vision of the IRRN Programme. Participants examined the five issue areas and arrived at a consensus on recommendations to address each issue area. The Report and Proceedings contain the recommendations and the papers presented at the Workshop.
