Marine Spatial Planning Project joins the Royal Agricultural Show 2018

25^th July 2018 Tonga’s Marine Spatial Planning Project which aims for the ecologically sustainable, social and economic development of Tonga’s ocean for the benefit of all Tongans, was first introduced to the outer islands during the 2018 Royal Agricultural Show.

The Project housed under the Department of Environment, MEIDECC, works collaboratively with a Technical Group known as the Ocean 7, which consists of Senior Government Officials from the seven main Ministries with maritime and oceans responsibilities. The project is funded by the German Government, Waitt Foundation and Ocean 5.

Senior Project Manager, Ms. Lilieta Takau has been travelling with the Royal Agriculture Show organizing government officials to all outer islands: Ha’apai, Vava’u, Niuatoputapu, Niuafo’ou , during the Royal Agricultural Show, with the mission of introducing Marine Spatial Planning Project to the outer islands.

“I went on the Agricultural Show as an opportunity to display and introduce this project to outer islands, connecting the vision of the project to the theme of this year’s Agricultural Show ‘’Kina ‘Umu Tali ki Tahi”.

Ms. Takau said the Agriculture show presents a strategic opportunity to meet with outer island leaders, Government Representatives and outer island community groups during her visit to the outer islands on the Agricultural Show to brief them about the Project. In Vava’u, the project partners with the Vava’u Environmental Protection Agency (VEPA)>

“The National Marine Spatial Plan will assist with conserving our ocean resources and livelihoods.  People in the outer islands need to know that the Government through this Project is designing a plan to ensure their ocean resources are protected. “ Effective ocean management is everyone’s business: government, private sector, all groups and particularly the communities.”

According to Ms. Takau consultations about our Ocean Plan will be conducted in the outer island from September to December this year. The project’s objectives are to;

1. Ensure sustainable socio-economic development and use
2. Ensure food security
3. Conserve biodiversity
4. Minimize conflicts between users
5. Build climate resilience
6. Protect and rehabilitate the environment

The Project is expected to be completed by 2020 with a National Marine Spatial Plan for Tonga.

ENDS

Issued by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications