The island of Emau made history becoming the first community in the Vanuatu to launch and trial a pilot project called the Ocean Use Survey (OUS).

It is the first trial of a new project that aims to improve the management of marineresources around the country with the implementation of the Vanuatu Ocean Act, which Parliament passed in November.

At the shores of Wiana community on the island, government officials from the Department of Oceans and Maritime Affairs, Blue Prosperity, the Waitt Institute, chiefs and community members came together to witness the launch of the OUS, a new approach that places traditional leaders at he centre of managing their own marine resources.

Acting Director of the Department of Oceans and Maritime Affairs, Tony Tevi, said it is a turning point for Vanuatu. 

TONY TEVI, ACTING DIRECTOR – DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN AFFAIRS:

“This is giving back to the chiefs since after independence. If this trial is successful, we will extend the boundaries from 100 meters after the reef to beyond. The custom owner still owns the land but the chief manage it.”

He stressed that since 1980, there was no legislation that gives chiefs the right to do this work at their level.

Apart from the ocean expeditions already conducted, the Ocean Use Survey is community-led.

Six trained researchers work with experts from the Waitt Institute with support from Blue Prosperity to carry out the two-day study in the six communities of Emau.

Science Manager, Brooke Dixon, said they will use SeaSketch, an online tool that maps out areas people use for different ocean activities.

BROOKE DIXON, SCIENCE MANAGER – WAITT INSTITUTE:

“What will be produced is heat maps which summarize shapes within these different use groups that show high-use and high-value areas , from everything from subsistence fishing to cultural practices, inter-island transportation, tourism and more. So we are going to hear from every single village in Emau.”

Chairman of the Emau Council of Chiefs, Chief Marakpule Albert, said they will work closely with the government to carry out the study.

CHIEF MARAKPULE ALBERT, CHAIRMAN – EMAU COUNCIL OF CHIEFS:

“We will stand with the team to help us look at how we can, or how we can help the lives of our people with the sea that can help our lives.”

Mr Tevi said the information will help develop a plan to support Vanuatu’s economic growth today and in the future.

The ceremony ended with tree-planting to mark the beginning of the project and its development on the island.