Location

Namdrik Atoll, Marshall Islands

Namdrik Atoll is a coral atoll of two islands of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It encloses a lagoon with an area of 8.4 km2. It has 8 villages of Zulu, Betol, Majol, Jinai, Rantak, Elmon, and Madmad, with around 800 population. The Marshall Islands lie within Conservation International’s Polynesia-Micronesia Biodiversity Hotspot.

 

Issue

Difficulty in resource management in island states

The people's lives in Namadrik Atoll have been affected by climate change in various ways: being a low-lying state, it is mainly affected by sea level rise, and its infrastructure is easily affected by the Strom and Floods. Frequent occurrence of typhoons and droughts was also observed. In addition, environmental pollution was occurring due to poor wastewater management and other factors, which combined to cause a decrease in fish catch. This lack of resource management and overexploitation of marine resources is a critical issue for Namdrik Atoll.

 

Solution / Lesson learned

Resource Management Plan co-developed by Local Resources Committee and local community members

The Namdrik Atoll Local Resources Committee was established to implement a Resource Management Plan. The plan was developed in consultation with local community members. The plan included the use of traditional crops such as breadfruit, taro, and native pandanus, sustainable fisheries policies, seasonal no-take zones, and shoreline vegetation restoration. In this way, the Plan's approach is a promising one for improving the status of biodiversity and increasing socio-economic resilience.