Marine Atlas: Maximizing Benefits for Solomon Islands

A LARGE OCEAN STATE: ADMINISTRATION

Solomon Islands’ ocean provides a wealth of services to the people of Solomon Islands, and beyond. The ocean and its resources govern daily life, livelihoods, food securi- ty, culture, economy and climate.

must therefore work together to form coali- tion governments. Parliamentary representa- tion is based on single-member constitu- encies and there is universal suffrage for citizens over 18 years of age. Through this system, the government makes important decisions about their citizens, the country’s economic development and the sustainable use of their abundant natural resources from both their land and ocean. Given the large size and cultural significance of the ocean, Solomon Islands is considered one of the world’s large ocean states.

The South Pacific is a sea of islands (see previous map). While these Pacific Island countries are often referred to as small island states, the map shows that they are in fact large ocean states. Solomon Islands is the third largest island country in the Pacific after Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Solomon Islands’ coastline is 9,880 kilometres and its provisional exclusive economic zone (EEZ) —at 1.34 million km 2 —is the second largest in the Pacific. Solomon Islands has a reef area of around 5,750 km 2 and a total mangrove area of 642 km 2 . The country is composed of roughly 1,000 islands divided into nine provinces, each with a different environment, popu- lation density and culture. In addition to this heterogeneity, there are three levels of

governance over the oceans: customary, provincial and national. Approximately 80 per cent of the country’s total land area is customary land, which includes foreshores and reefs. This gives villagers control and ownership over such land, as well as rights to use its resources, which are acknowl- edged by authorities and in some national and provincial laws. As regards local government, the coun- try is divided into 10 administrative areas: nine provinces (administered by elected provincial assemblies) and one capital city, Honiara (administered by the Honiara Town Council). The provinces, as shown on the map, are: Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Isabel, Makira-Ulawa, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western and Central.

On 7 July 1978, Solomon Islands gained independence from Britain. The country is a constitutional monarchy with Queen Eliza- beth II as head of state, represented by the Governor-General who must be a national citizen. The Governor-General is elected by Parliament, as is the Prime Minister, who chooses Cabinet members. The Cabinet is responsible to the House of Assembly and is vested with executive power. The Gov- ernor-General appoints the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on the advice of the Prime Minister and leader of the opposition. The unicameral National Parliament has 50 members, who are elected for a four-year term in single-seat constituencies. Since Solomon Islands has a multiparty system with numerous parties, it is uncommon for a single party to gain power alone. Parties

Special rights

An exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a sea zone that extends up to 200 nautical miles (nmi) from a country’s baseline. Solomon Islands’ EEZ, prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), gives Solomon Islands special rights regarding the explo- ration and use of marine resources below the surface of the sea. The territorial sea, within 12 nmi from the baseline, is regarded as the sover- eign territory of Solomon Islands in which it has full authority.

MAXIMIZING BENEFITS FOR SOLOMON ISLANDS • MARINE ATLAS

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