Empowering small island and coastal communities
Small island and coastal villages around the world face many challenges. These challenges and threats include proper waste management, overfishing, income generation, destructive fishing methods, degradation of natural habitat (mangrove, seagrass and coral reefs) and climate change impacts. These communities are usually remote and often do not have the technical know-how on how to address these current issues.
Managing of waste and recycling in most regions of Indonesia are non-existent. Many households are impeccably clean and as there is no trash pick-up service, the trash is gathered and burned. The majority of the trash burned is plastic, which can release toxins into the atmosphere. Traditional methods of wrapping up food would be by banana leaf but with the advent and high usage of plastic bags and increased local and international trade in Indonesia, this is creating much pollution in the most remote areas. There are many recycling programs that have started up to raise awareness about plastic pollution and their very persuasive presence in coastal and small island communities.
Overfishing is a major threat to fisheries. Fisheries research has shown a huge global decline in big fish stock due to overfishing, increased usage of high-tech fishing gear such as sonar, use of helicopters and miles of hook and line and nets to catch fish. Many larger fish and other marine species transcend political boundaries in their migratory patterns so that it takes the commitment of multiple countries for an effective fish management plan.
Many tropical small island and coastal communities can experience localized overfishing. Most have coral reefs with many reef dwelling fish and invertebrate species and with population increase and/or export capabilities (for aquarium trade and food), reef species face increasing pressures and can become locally extinct. Research has shown that the removal of keystone species (such as shark, sea otters and seastars) can have a huge impact on that particular ecosystem. A keystone species is one that plays an important role in the health of that ecosystem. To learn more on this, please click here.
Many tropical small island and coastal communities can experience localized overfishing. Most have coral reefs with many reef dwelling fish and invertebrate species and with population increase and/or export capabilities (for aquarium trade and food), reef species face increasing pressures and can become locally extinct. Research has shown that the removal of keystone species (such as shark, sea otters and seastars) can have a huge impact on that particular ecosystem. A keystone species is one that plays an important role in the health of that ecosystem. To learn more on this, please click here.
Generating income is a challenge for many small island and coastal communities, that need to pay for food, fuel, their children's schooling and school supplies. Community gardens for the growing of food are plentiful but school payments remains a challenge for many families. Many communities turn to their natural resources for income generation, which in turn runs the risk of over exploitation. The island community of Aneytum, the southernmost island in Vanuatu. They have an agreement with P&O Cruises to visit Mystery Island, a small island next to Aneytum. The tourists visit Mystery Island and the Aneytum communities provide snorkeling services, seafood, music, photo opportunities. This provides the community as a means of earning an income. This is just one example of income opportunities for remote island communities. Some communities do not have such opportunities for tourism.