BY LORETTA B MANELE

Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) held a review workshop at Rock Haven this week.

The ministry with support from MACBLUE (Management and Conservation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems) Project, implemented jointly by SPC, SPREP and GIZ is in the process of finalizing the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Mangrove Management Policy (MMP).

As stated in a concept note of the workshop program, mangrove ecosystems are critical for the environmental health and socio-economic wellbeing of Solomon Islands.

“With over 100,000 hectares (REA Report, 2024) of mangrove forests, these ecosystems provide crucial services such as shoreline protection, carbon sequestration, and sustenance for local communities.”

The policy aims to guide sustainable management and conservation of mangroves and associated Blue Carbon ecosystems, ensuring that both environmental protection and community livelihoods are upheld.

There was also discussion on the finalization of the policy, with a focus on strengthening governance, community involvement and ensuring that the policy effectively addresses key issues such as conservation, restoration, sustainable use, and monitoring of mangrove ecosystems.

The workshop seeks to provide a platform for key stakeholders within the government to assess and provide input on the latest draft of the ICZM Mangrove Management Policy and is supported by the MACBLUE Project.

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