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  • 22 Apr 2013


Member countries of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) are moving closer to finalizing the framework for the Coral Triangle Marine Protected Areas System (CTMPAS), setting the stage for its launch and the first round of nominations for CTI regional flagship sites.

At the Regional Exchange on Developing a MPA Management Effectiveness Protocol to Support the CTMPAS, held in Honiara, Solomon Islands on March 12-16, 2013, the countries laid out a regional action plan targeting Coral Triangle Day (June 9) for the CTMPAS launch. Ms. Lynette Laroya of the Philippines, Chair of the MPA Technical Working Group, said this action plan reflects the CTI-CFF member countries' commitment to the establishment of the CTMPAS. Under the plan, the countries will complete the final review and endorsement of the CTMPAS framework in April, with country nominations and review to begin shortly thereafter, and the first regional review set for August 2013.

The CTI-CFF Regional Plan of Action defines CTMPAS as “composed of prioritized individual MPAs and networks of MPAs that are connected, resilient, and sustainably financed, and designed in ways that (i) generate significant income, livelihoods, and food security benefits for coastal communities; and (ii) conserve the region’s rich biological diversity.”

As an initial step toward developing the CTMPAS, the countries agreed to submit relevant MPA datasets to the Coral Triangle Atlas. This will help track the development of the CTMPAS overall, as well as the individual MPAs and MPA networks included in the system. The CTMPAS is a top-priority action under the CTI-CFF Regional Plan of Action. The CT Atlas is an online database intended to serve as a resource for CTI-CFF countries and third parties, providing GIS expertise and mapping services on a common platform.

Download the summary proceedings of the activity from this link.

Photo Caption: CTI-CFF MPA Technical Working Group and Development Partner representatives in Honiara. Credit: US CTI Support Program