Repeated Community Consultations
Community consultations were undertaken by IUCN with relevant government departments, the provincial office and researchers. They served the purpose of discussing next steps and identifying appropriate channels to follow in order to achieve an outcome that is desirable to all relevant stakeholders. Repeated consultations also included communities. This prevented the communities doubting or questioning the management plan. Consultations where held in different locations, e.g. the village of Nakorovou as well as IUCN office.
- High-quality preliminary work (1) to ensure a shared understanding of issues between stakeholders
- Use of adequate communication tools and appropriate consultation settings (e.g. Government/NGO, Provincial and, village meeting)
- An experienced consultant to undertake the process of planning the meetings and drafting the co-management plan
- Interest in achieving a collective agreement by relevant players
- Buy-in from the customary fishing right owners
Community commitment & buy-in: Nasoata is an initiative which was initiated by the communities after observing that outsiders continue to illegally enter the island to collect resources unsustainably. Repeated consultations are important to ensure community-buy in. Equal representation from community members is important to ensure all voices are heard and all impacted by the management plan and possible changes (i.e. representatives from women, men, youth, fishermen/women, church) are involved.
A future nature investment: The communities bought back this island after it was sold during the colonial times to coconut plantation owners as a future investment as a heritage for the future generation.