New MPA Web Sites Put a Face on Marine Conservation
In collaboration with the communities of Namena and Waitabu, Fiji, CORAL is proud to announce the launch of our first two marine protected area (MPA) Web sites: www.namena.org and www.waitabu.org. These sites provide tourists, researchers, marine conservationists, and the general public with valuable resources for understanding how local people are working to effectively manage the Namena Marine Reserve and Waitabu Marine Park. The purpose of these sites is not only to supply information about biological resources and tourism opportunities available in the parks, but also to highlight the important cultural connections that exist between the communities and their surrounding reefs. Visitors learn about current local management of the MPAs, news and events in each area, and the successes of CORAL’s integrative CRSD (Coral Reef Sustainable Destination) approach to conservation.
The launch of the Waitabu Marine Park’s Web site in May coincides with the 10th anniversary of the park’s founding. Read more about the May 24 celebration in Waitabu and how villages in Namena are using proceeds from the reserve’s user fee system, and look for CORAL’s next MPA Web site, Madang, coming soon!