Top cover image: © Johnny Beasley, SPC
Overview of CBFM
CBFM site-based coverage
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| 41 | Coastal communities in total | |||
| 40 | Coastal communities covered by CBFM | |||
| 23 | CBFM sites active* | |||
| Community unit: districts. |
Ra’ui and Marine protected areas (MPA)
The approach taken in the Cook Islands is Marine protected areas (MPA), or ra’ui, which include site specific and atoll wide community management rules. The ra’ui system is the traditional method of natural resource conservation in the Cook Islands, imposing restrictions on the use of land, reef and lagoon resources. The Koutu Nui – the traditional leaders – trust that this is accomplished by the cooperation of the communities who are invested in these resources. The rules can be incorporated in island council by-laws and are also communicated by word of mouth.
The Ministry of Marine Resources supports ra’ui with surveys required for the ra’ui monitoring programme, which provides information regarding the impact of the system on ecosystem restoration. This information is used for decision making, as well as helping to raise awareness about the importance of the ra’ui system which is vital to its success.
Community members are involved in the monitoring and enforcement activities to support the ra’ui management plan. Known in the local language as tiaki ra’ui, these guardians are appointed by the community leaders and have powers of enforcement to support the managed areas.
Image: © David Kirkland, SPC
In the Cook Islands, local fisheries are managed by island councils through bylaws, in consultation with the Ministry of Marine Resources. Local ra’ui area management plans are implemented by traditional communities under environmental legislation. These communities also appoint tiaki ra’ui to serve as guardians of the managed marine areas.
- Marine Resources Act 2005 - see section 8
- Environment (Atiu and Takutea, Mitiaro) Regulations 2008 - see parts I and III
For further detailed information, visit the legal profile page for Cook Islands on Reeflex.
The Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) acknowledges the use of “knowledge of our ancestors [to] develop laws to protect and conserve our coastal fisheries”.
Main contact(s)
Related resource(s)
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Associated website(s)
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References
- Gillett R. and Lightfoot C. 2002. The contribution of fisheries to the economies of Pacific island countries: a report prepared for the Asian Development Bank, the Forum Fisheries Agency, and the World Bank. Manila: ADB (Pacific studies series). 218 p. https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/28819/contribution-fisheries.pdf
- Gillett R.E., Fong M. 2023. Fisheries in the economies of Pacific Island countries and territories (Benefish Study 4). Noumea, New Caledonia: Pacific Community. 704 p. https://purl.org/spc/digilib/doc/ppizh
- Ministry of Marine Resources website - https://www.mmr.gov.ck/raui-marine-protected-areas/
- O’Connor S., D'Andrea A., Recio-Blanco X. and Devez S. 2023. Legal guide to enabling and strengthening coastal fisheries co-management in the Pacific. Noumea, New Caledonia: Pacific Community. 212 p. https://purl.org/spc/digilib/doc/s5b7j
- Pacific Data Hub. 2022. Population Statistics Map, Cook Islands 2022. Population Dashboard, SPC. Available at: https://pacificdata.org/population-dashboard
- Pacific Law and Policy Database on Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture (Reeflex) - https://www.spc.int/CoastalFisheries/Legislation/main
CBFM site-based coverage references
- Govan H. and Lalavanua W. 2022. Status of Community-based Fisheries Management in Pacific Islands Countries and Territories: survey report. Noumea, New Caledonia: Pacific Community. 70 p. https://purl.org/spc/digilib/doc/H_uNgzxUo7kB36r