Mangaia Nearshore Marine Assessment 2018

Mangaia is the only inhabited island in the Southern Cooks where our data show the ra’ui system of traditional marine resources management is actively functioning and allowing species to recover between harvests. This is an accomplishment that should give the local resource managers (Mangaia Island Council and Traditional Leaders) great pride. Furthermore, the willingness to adopt new management strategies (e.g. by initiating permanent ra’ui sites) shows a continued drive to enhance ecosystem health for the benefit of nearshore species and local communities.