The natural environment of Pacific Island countries has supported, maintained and improved the social and economic wellbeing of its people and cultures since the arrival of the first inhabitants. The importance of the regions biodiversity cannot be understated; it is present in every facet of the island way of life. Natural resources provide food, shelter, medicine and are used extensively in traditions. In the past, utilization of these resources was allowed under traditional and community management.
Research shows that marine reserves are one tool that can help to prevent, slow, or reverse negative changes in the ocean. Marine reserves are places in the ocean that are completely and permanently protected from uses that remove animals and plants or alter their habitats. Increasingly, the public, governmental agencies, commercial groups, and scientists are discussing the idea of establishing more marine reserves to complement existing ocean management. The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the latest scientific information about marine reserves.
This chapter is concerned with describing the evolution of the FSM Sustained Growth Strategy (SGS), and the fiscal challenges facing the nation resulting from the need to implement the provisions of the amended Compact. Discussion starts through detailing the FSM's negotiating strategy for the amended Compact and in outlining the principal objectives that the FSM sought
to securemacroeconomic stability and sustainable development. These objectives are compared with what the FSM and U.S. finally agreed, and which are embodied in the terms and conditions of the amended Compact.