Marine Atlas: Maximizing Benefits for Kiribati

FOREWORD While the ocean covers more than two thirds of the Earth’s surface, the oceanic territory of Kiribati is more than 4,000 times larger than its land territory. With an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 3.55 million km2, Kiribati is a large ocean state.

This island nation contains many marine ecosystems, from globally significant coral reefs to mangroves, seagrass areas, sea- mounts and deep-sea trenches supporting more than 500 fish species, including sharks and rays, as well as whales, dolphins and sea turtles. We are committed to conserving this unique marine biodiversity. Kiribati’s marine ecosystems are worth at least AU$400 million per year, which is twice the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). We are strongly committed to sustaining these values to build an equitable and pros- perous blue economy. The country’s history, culture, traditions and practices are strongly linked to the ocean and its biodiversity. By sharing and inte- grating traditional and scientific knowledge, we are navigating towards holistic marine resource management. Traditionally, Kiribati’s coastal villages manage inshore marine resources. We are striving to work together to sustainably manage all Kir- ibati’s outer island inshore areas for the benefit of empowered and resilient communities. At the same time, Kiribati is experiencing the direct effects of climate change on its ocean and island environments.

By strengthening global and regional part- nerships, we are proudly taking leadership in climate change advocacy and global conservation initiatives, such as the Phoenix Island Protected Area, one of the largest in the world. Further, through integrated and participatory planning, we are aiming to balance economic, ecological and social ob- jectives in this EEZ for the benefit of current and future generations. This is where the Kiribati Marine Atlas comes into play. Improvements in research over the years have enabled us to better un- derstand the ocean system and to develop solutions with a sustainable approach. A lot of data have become publicly available, with this atlas compiling over a hundred data sets from countless data providers to make this treasure trove of marine and coastal information accessible and usable for the first time—as maps with narratives, as data layers and as raw data. In doing so, we can maximize benefits from the ocean for Kiribati, its people and its economy.

• How should we plan the uses of these ocean values and best address conflicts and threats? • On what levels and in which ways can we manage uses of, and threats to, our marine values? The atlas can help decision makers from all sectors can appreciate the values of marine ecosystems and the importance of spatially planning the uses of these values. Practitioners can assist these planning processes by using the accompanying data layers and raw data in their Geographic Information Systems. While the atlas provides the best data cur- rently publicly available, information about Kiribati’s waters is constantly increasing. Therefore, the atlas is an open invitation to use, modify, combine and update the maps and underlying data. Only by involving all stakeholders in a nation- wide Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process can we truly maximize benefits for Kiribati. The e-copy and interactive version of the Kiribati Marine Atlas are available here: http://macbio-pacific.info/marine-atlas/kiribati

In three chapters, the atlas sets out to illustrate:

• What values does the ocean provide to Kiribati, to support our wealth and well-being?

MARINE ATLAS • MAXIMIZING BENEFITS FOR KIRIBATI

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