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Yap awarded for proposed water project

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): September 24, 2002 - The State of Yap has been awarded $350,000 to implement a four-year pilot project to promote sustainable coastal fisheries through identified marine protected areas in the state.

Yap's winning project along with projects from Kosrae and Pohnpei were the only three proposals submitted to the FSM National Government for consideration under the International Waters Project Fund. A Funding made available to the Pacific Islands Forum countries by the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Entitled, "Chotowliy Ea Day" or "Take Care of the Marine Environment," the project promotes the ideal of co-management; sharing the responsibilities of Yap's Natural Resources management between the traditional and government systems.

Assisted by the National Government and SPREP, project "Chotowliy Ea Day" is expected to involve several local communities to work with Government, non-government organizations and traditional leaders.

According to Yap State's Marine Resource Management Division spokesman, Andy Tafileichig, "It is very timely that the project start right now. Some concrete steps were taken recently by the State to better manage our marine environment and involving the communities."

Tafileichig went on to say that the project will, "ensure all involved have the necessary tools, information and the resources which have been a constraint in forging ahead with our activities".

The project is expected to be an immense contribution to the sustainability of the Yap's coastal fisheries and hopefully be a concept to be shared with the Pacific island countries to strengthen existing marine projects or initiate coastal fisheries projects of similar ideals.