Sustainable Small-scale Mariculture Ventures as a Comparative Climate Friendly Livelihood Alternative in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia

Abstract

Like most Pacific island nations, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) faces threats to livelihoods, food security, and health from the impacts of climate change. The island of Pohnpei faces specific climate related threats linked to over fishing, sedimentation from deforestation, and a poorly developed economy, which restricts rural residents access to livelihood alternatives. With assistance from the Pacific American Climate Fund (PACAM); and funding from United States Agency of International Development (USAID), the Marine and Environmental Research Institute of Pohnpei (MERIP) is more than half way through a three-year program to reduce climate impacts in Pohnpei. The project goal is to reduce vulnerabilities associated with climate change faced by Pohnpei’s coastal communities, inshore reefs and Marine Protected Areas (MPA). One of the primary strategies employed is reducing dependency on fishing and unsustainable farming practices by increasing number and sizes of aquaculture farms growing sponges and marine ornamentals. Engaging rural fishers and farmers in alternative livelihoods will reduce pressure on natural resources and make communities less vulnerable to the effects of climate change on these resources over time. This paper examines the benefits and constraints of the introduced livelihood alternatives—farming of sponges and marine ornamental invertebrates and their impact on traditional fishing activities. In addition, comparisons are made with the growing of Piper methysticum, or sakau, a narcotic root crop. Growing of sakau is Pohnpei’s most widespread, but comparatively environmentally destructive, form of rural income generation and is widely recognized as the main cause of the islands upland deforestation and resulting lagoon sedimentation. Results show that growing the new adaptive commodities provide similar or greater incomes than the less climate friendly traditional activities of fishing of growing sakau. However, expansion of these activities or additional livelihood alternatives need to be developed, to further reduce environmental degradation.