MCT Past Projects: Conservation and Environmental Protection Program (CEPP)
Funding Level 2007-2010: $626,403
The Program's purpose is to build non-state actor (NSA) capacity in the FSM to develop and deliver environment protection and conservation projects. Its goals were (1) improved technical capacity of NSAs in the area of conservation and environmental protection; (2) Greater public awareness and acceptance of conservation and environmental protection issues.
The FSM Office of National Authorizing Officer awarded 14 projects that totalled $626,403. The grant contracts were signed with Kosrae Conservation & Safety Organization, Yela Environment Landowners Authority, Conservation Society of Pohnpei, College of Micronesia-FSM Marine Science Program, Marine & Environmental Research Institute of Pohnpei, Pohnpei Farmers Association, Chuuk Conservation Society, Society for Historic Investigation and Preservation, Chuuk Women Council, Yap Community Action Program, Kaday Community & Cultural Development Organization, Yap Networker News, and Yap Institute of Natural Science.
Conservation and Environmental Protection in Action
Funded Projects
Kadei Community Works Together to Protect their Marine Resources
This project, entitled "Enhancing communities' capability to safeguard marine resources" implemented by the Kaday Community and Cultural Development Organization (KCCDO) based in Yap focused on bringing two communities together in a united effort to protect the Nimpal Channel Marine Conservation Area using both traditional and modern initiatives. Normally, each village enforces only their fishing grounds, however the establishment of the joint surveillance team by the two communities has greatly improved enforcement. Carrying out the proclamation of two communities provides great encouragement for the communities to support the conservation area.
New and innovative equipment was also purchased to help improve enforcement. Notably five fixed markers with solar powered lanterns were installed on the corners of the conservation zone, so that fishermen, who predominantly fish during the night, could see the boundaries. This is the first time that lighting was utilized by a marine conservation area in the FSM to better flag its boundary. Kayaks, have allowed the surveillance teams to continue their work during low tides. The kayaks have also proved advantageous for surveillance during the night because they allow the team members to stealthily sneak up on potential poachers thereby acting as a deterrent for both outside poachers and community members.
Lastly, the communities worked together to construct and install an all-weather floating surveillance platform. The communities contributed all the raw material to be used and put in a lot of volunteer time in gathering the materials and putting the bamboo float platform together. The surveillance platform has become an icon for the villages' conservation initiative. No other village on Yap has utilized this method to watch over its fishing grounds. It has greatly increased visibility of the project. Locals as well as tourists visiting the island are drawn to the raft and as a result are informed of the communities' conservation initiative thereby increasing the awareness of the project.
