Palau, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and the Republic of the Marshall Islands have agreed to be part of a commitment to use Marine Spatial Planning to achieve 100% management of the ocean.
“The marine spatial planning will occur in individual jurisdictions but we work together to meet and define regional goals,” reported MAFE Minister Steven Victor.
“The Micronesia subregion, using MSP to achieve 100% management of the ocean, an area cover that’s roughly the size of continental United States,” added Victor.
Minister Victor reported that they will be partnering with Forum Fisheries Agency, SPREP, and SPC to provide technical assistance. This, he added, was one other way to manage resources using other means besides the vessel days scheme.
A supplemental budget bill in congress contains a rider mandating MAFE to produce spatial marine planning within 3 years. The proposal was removed from the Senate version of the bill with the justification that it should be addressed separately from the budget.