After developing several communications products geared to different audiences, we released the valuation findings at the International Year of the Reef Symposium in Belize City in November 2008. We also distributed findings in a six-page summary pamphlet for decision makers; several local partners also incorporated the results into videos shown to the Prime Minister and other officials at the gala event that evening. At the request of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), we also produced a one-page document aimed at policymakers and have distributed it through PACT and other local partners. We also made Excel-based tools to facilitate replication of our valuation methods and data collection. These tools and users’ manuals, along with the full technical report and summary, are all freely available for download at our website. The Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative, along with WWF, WCS, Oceana, and many other local NGOs, have used the economic valuation findings in their efforts to negotiate for tighter fishing regulations, new mangrove legislation, a ban on offshore oil drilling, and other conservation and sustainable management goals.

Adopt co-management structure for locally managed marine area (LMMA) management and monitoring. Regulation of the LMMA is enforced by joint patrols comprising a core group of community members and functional forces. Ownership of the LMMA is transferred to local governance. All outputs of the LMMA are handed over to local authority. Establish the legal status of local stakeholders in the co-management structure. State funding allocates annual budgets to support LMMA implementation.

In cooperation with the EU-ACP Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA, African indigenous peoples are experimenting with geospatial technologies such as participatory 3D modeling (P3DM), and low-tech, participatory methodologies such as eco-cultural mapping. These detailed and geo-referenced models provide a bridge between oral cultures and IT or other media for understanding indigenous and local knowledge of landscape, seascapes and governance models. The methodologies can be applied for education, planning, heritage management, migratory information, conflict resolution and planning for climate change impacts and resilience building.

When the National Reserve was classified, it was clearly stated that fishermen rights to use marine resources in the protected area would be upheld. Recognizing their rights from the beginning set the basis for positive interaction. Previous arrangements in Peru were key to implementing a similar scenario in San Fernando, where legal resource use rights were assigned to local management groups to carry out sustainable use activities if the groups commit to providing support in surveillance and enforcement. Moreover, the strong organization of the Fishermen’s Association was vital for the designation of specific areas where each fishermen group is allowed to harvest macroalgae. Decisions previously taken by the Fishermen’s Association were legitimized by the protected area authority. Today, fishermen groups continue to harvest macroalgae from the shores and are responsible for controlling illegal activities. This has resulted on a more sustainable use of macroalgae and other marine resources in the area.

Every school participating in Club P.A.N. is motivated to carry out their own alternative livelihoods micro-project such as a fish, goat, chicken, cane rat, or snail farm. The schools are given a small budget for start-up costs but are then supposed to be self-reliant. Principals and teachers become heads of these projects while children are given the responsibility to build and maintain the project by caring for the animals. A sense of local entrepreneurship is seen in the children.

To prevent total and irreversible loss of the ecological values, establish first a no-take reef zone with a launching ceremony to highlight the locally managed marine area (LMMA) process. Further, develop especially the enforcement of LMMA regulations. Provide the required training for execution of coral transplantation for reef restoration. Conduct regular underwater biological investigations to monitor the resource recovery.

We had to overcome problems with land mines, language barriers, cultural differences, lack of knowledge and understanding from all stakeholders, logistical issues with importation of material and translocation of wildlife in order to complete the project. We had to be resilient and resourceful. Resistance was due to lack of knowledge and once we educated the people about what we were doing all the doors opened and we had their support and assistance throughout the project.

Our project was born out of a partnership between the Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation and Neville van Schalkwyk, an accomplished gardener and Rasta herbalist elder in Seawinds. Working and developing relationships with established, respected and dependable individuals is key to project longevity and success. The purpose of this building block is to ensure project relevance to the local community or involved bodies, since the champion is situation in the socioeconomic, ecological, or institutional reality of the project site. The champion also acts as an interface or translator between the neighbourhood community, project partners and other stakeholders. This same building block approach works when attempting to link and build communication between stakeholders. For example, we introduced Neville to an influential member of a provincial conservation organisation who we knew through previous work. He was then able to introduce Neville to other people and resources in the conservation sector.

As the Wet Tropics Management Authority works with more than 20 Aboriginal communities in the Wet Tropics region, it was important we use a transparent and fair process to select a group to undertake a P3DM. An expression of interest was developed and distributed outlining parameters of the project, its potential benefits and what would be required of the community. Written applications were assessed, and applicants interviewed against a series of questions. Selection was based on a combination of the written applications and interviews.

To build a long-term and lasting management plan, all perspectives, uses and needs are taken into account. Provincial workshops facilitate a collective understanding. Community input is ensured through the use of participatory risk assessments (rural appraisal tool) at village level. Provincial workshops connect the local knowledge to the official level. Working groups and workshops held during the drafting phase of the plan ensure a strong governance system.