Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter II. Methodology
Draft 1 March 2007
As reports were identified, hardcopy or PDF electronic copy of each report was searched for.
Many reports were identified, but copies could not be located. Some reports were very old
(1800s) and copying them was not allowed.
An Excel database was made of identified reports. This was up-dated each time a Phoenix
Islands related report was identified, or each time a hard copy of a relevant report was
obtained. The Excel database is available at the PIPA office in MELAD in Bikenibeu,
Tarawa. This database is continuously being up-dated as new reports are identified and
obtained. As of 1 March 2007, there were about 700 reports identified, and about 575 reports
collected (81 percent).
Collected documents were the basis for the background section of this plan. All documents
collected were read and summarized into the appropriate background section. Hard copies of
all documents collected are on-file at the PIPA office in MELAD in Bikenibeu, Tarawa.
2. SYNTHESIS OF BACKGROUND MATERIALS
All documents and reports collected were read and summarized into the Background section
of this report (Chapter III).
3. STAKEHOLDER INPUTS
A. RESIDENTS OF THE PHOENIX ISLANDS
According to Government of Kiribati officials, there are about 50 people currently living in
the Phoenix Islands. All of them reside on Abariringa. All of these 50 people are either
employed by the Government of Kiribati to take care of the Phoenix Islands, or are relatives
of these government employees. These people are on Abariringa for fixed periods of time
(years), and then are reassigned elsewhere. There are no permanent residents of the Phoenix
Islands.
The standard approach to development of marine protected area is to include early
discussions with local reef owners. These can include villagers, village chiefs, or island
councils. However, since the Phoenix Islands do not have permanent residents or villages,
this approach does not fit.
B. GOVERNMENT OF KIRIBATI
The Phoenix Islands are owned by the Government of Kiribati. Therefore the primary
stakeholder is the Government of Kiribati. The government is composed of a variety of
ministries and departments. Each has its own mandate and priority. In 2005, the GOK
established the Intergovernmental Steering Committee to oversee development of the
Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA). This steering committee is composed of
representatives from the following agencies:
1) Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD),
2