Conservancy Envisions Marine Protected Areas for People and Nature in Kimbe Bay
October 23, 2006
Kimbe Bay in Papua New Guinea is part of the global center of marine diversity known as the Coral Triangle, which supports a staggering 76 percent of the world’s coral species. The bay, which is larger than Rocky Mountain National Park, is also home to thousands of people who rely on the reefs for food and livelihoods.
So how do we ensure that the reefs stay healthy for both people and nature? By designing a network of resilient marine protected areas that account for both biodiversity and human needs. The Nature Conservancy has done just that. The resulting Kimbe Bay marine protected area network design is one of the first in the world that incorporates both human needs and principles of coral reef resilience to withstand impacts from climate change.
Climate change is heating up the seas. High ocean temperatures are dangerous for coral reefs, because they can kill the colorful symbiotic algae, thus “bleaching” the corals. Sea levels are also rising, threatening critical coastal habitats like mangroves and turtle nesting areas. The Kimbe Bay marine protected area (MPA) network was specifically designed to address these threats.
"In the face of elevated sea temperatures which can cause coral bleaching, some people say, ‘There is nothing we can do,' but of course we can do something."
Paul Lokani
Program Director, Melanesia
“In the face of elevated sea temperatures which can cause coral bleaching, some people say, ‘There is nothing we can do,’” said Paul Lokani, Melanesia program director for the Conservancy. “But of course we can do something.”
That “something” included working for more than two years with experts and partners to design an MPA network in Kimbe Bay that followed the principles of reef resilience—including connectivity, representation and replication of each type of habitat, and identifying and protecting the reefs more likely to survive bleaching.
“Accounting for reef resilience is one of the most significant things that have emerged from this design process,” Paul said. “It’s not about protecting corals from bleaching; it is about ensuring that the reefs can still survive through the replenishment of healthy corals.”
The team, led by Paul and Conservancy scientist Alison Green, also factored human needs into the equation, conducting socioeconomic studies to address the marine resource needs of the community. “From their perspective, it’s not just about biodiversity protection: It’s about the security of their food source and income,” Paul said.
Armed with more than 60 layers of scientific and economic data, the team used a marine reserve software program to create 100 different options for the MPA network design. The software helped the MPA design team narrow the choices down to the first iteration of the design, identifying 15 “areas of interest” to conserve.
With the first version of the MPA network design complete, the Conservancy is now focused on implementing the protected areas identified in the design process. Implementation, Paul says, is fully supported by the local communities and governments. Next steps include working with the government to create a legal framework that would allow different communities to work together to manage the MPA network and finding sustainable financing to ensure proper management of the protected areas.
As the Conservancy strives to create effectively managed, large-scale and resilient marine protected areas worldwide, the lessons learned in Kimbe Bay will help us ensure the survival of coral reef ecosystems worldwide.
For More Information:
- Where We Work: Coral Reefs of the Tropics
As the largest living structures on the planet, coral reefs are also among the greatest storehouses of biodiversity on Earth. They are also one of the most threatened marine systems. Scientists estimate that unless we take immediate action, we could lose up to 70 percent of coral reefs by 2050.
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Where We Work: Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is only slightly larger than the state of California, yet serves as the biological storehouse for nearly five percent of the world’s biological diversity.
- How You Can Help: Rescue the Reef
With your help, we can protect the world’s beautiful seascapes, have a lasting impact on conservation and Rescue the Reef!
- Archive of our Saves of the Week and Success Stories
Read more about The Nature Conservancy's work to save the last great places on Earth.
