Want to sponsor a piece of ocean paradise? How one Pacific island’s novel response to rising seas is paying off | Global development
nIue, also known as the Rock of Polynesia, is one of the smallest island nations in the world. It takes just two hours to drive around, giving views of rugged limestone cliffs and occasional sandy coves. These cells give way to caves and haunts, once used for storage, burial sites and even as living spaces. But perhaps what visitors seek most are its crystal-clear waters, home to spinner dolphins, tadpoles, gray sharks, sea snakes, and whales.
Now the island is involved in an innovative plan to try to preserve these vast and pristine territorial waters. the a planwhich has been running for a year, involves selling sponsorship of the ocean surrounding the island to individuals or companies for $250 (£116) per square kilometre. So far, NZ has raised $7 million, almost halfway to its goal.
The idea is that this sponsorship will help fund ocean management, including addressing maritime security, promoting climate resilience and preserving marine life on the island of Moana Mahu. Marine Protected Area (MPA). Some of the funds will be used to help support local people – for example fishermen and their families – where the constraints needed to conserve the ocean may impact their income. Comes at a time when the Pacific Islands On the front lines of the climate crisis Struggling to deal with the impact and cost of rising sea levels.
“Ocean conservation is part of Niue’s DNA,” says Niue’s Prime Minister, Dalton Tagilagi. “We inherited it [the land and sea] From our ancestors. What we enjoy today is what we inherited from the past, and we will make sure that continues.”
IT’s lunchtime for Daryn Magatogiia, 32, messing around with some old boats at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Workshop. In addition to being a Fisher, he works in the department, handling tasks including supporting maritime operations and compliance and enforcement at sea.
As a Niuean resident, Magatogiia, along with the rest of the population of about 1,700, had the care of one kilometer of ocean paid for by the government. He says he takes pride in the fact that he is able to pass it on to his children and grandchildren.
“I can’t imagine work that’s not connected to the ocean,” he says. “Since we were young, the ocean has been a part of our lives. We need it for food security and recreational activities.”
Despite New Zealand’s proximity to Niue – it is 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) away – Magatogiia has no desire to experience life elsewhere. “I love it here. There is more freedom on the island,” he says.
Tourism has been a major driver of economic growth for decades in the country, which had more than 8,000 visitors in the year through June 2024, according to Latest government data. This is 30% below pre-birth levels, however, forcing the island to look for other ways to raise funds.
The ocean is a vital part of the lives of the small population, and the citizens of Niue have been a consultative part of their development Commitment to ocean conservation (OCC). It is locally driven, unlike many Pacific marine conservation projects led by international organizations.
Coral Pasisi, president of Niue Ocean Wide, a charitable trust handling donations and the start of the OCC, says the idea is nothing akin to selling property. “We don’t sell real estate,” she says. That’s why they take care of one square kilometer instead of the full cost of one square kilometer. They are supported because the government will continue to manage and pay resources. “
Caring for a square kilometer is not equal to owning a certain portion of the MPA, she says. “You become a guardian of Moana Mahu when you sponsor the OCC, but it does not align with a specific area; it is part of our collective effort.”
The Certificate of Sponsorship can be presented to a family member, friend, or anyone chosen by the sponsor, and features the sponsor’s name and serial numbers to ensure no one sponsors the same area twice.
127,000 OCC are available and the island hopes to raise $18 million from the scheme, which was launched in September 2023. International conservation and Blue Nature Alliance They are among the large external organizations that have signed up as sponsors.
Tagelagi says the decision to move forward was initially driven by a need to ensure islanders had the financial resources to fight the worst impacts of the climate crisis and protect the surrounding ocean.
“It’s something different from the normal channels of going to global funds and organisations [for money]This is because we know how difficult it is to access these funds.” “This is our initiative and we are proud of it.”
