The Park’s Management Plan
WHAT IS IT ?
It is a strategic document, the Natural Park’s spine. The management plan outlines the expected outcomes, broken down into objectives, which it is necessary to reach to optimize the management and the protection of the maritime space covered by the Natural Park of the Coral Sea. The plan also outlines the measures that can be implemented in accordance with the orientations approved by New Caledonia’s legislators.
The term « management » is employed here to express the idea that every agreed upon objective must be met and evaluated over time. The document outlines, chapter by chapter, the objectives and sub-objectives to be met within a five-year period (2018-2022). The management plan has been adopted in march 2018.
The PARK’s MANAGEMENT PLAN: CONTENT
The Natural Park of the Coral Sea houses natural resources and sustainable resources management areas. Therefore, the orientations which New Caledonia intends to abide by are stipulated in the Government decree signed on 23 April 2014. There are 8 orientations, which were used as a starting point during the document’s writing process.
The objectives of the Natural Park of the Coral Sea are as follows :
- protect ecosystems and maintain the existing links between them,
- preserve rare and migratory endangered species,
- identify and enhance the Natural Parks cultural heritage,
- reclaim the culture of the sea to establish strong links between men and the ocean
- support the development of responsible tourism
- sustain a local fishing model, always mindful of the maritime environment,
- limit the impacts and risks associated with maritime transportation,
- foresee the future thanks to scientific research,
- ensure that the management committee runs smoothly
- gather propositions from the general public
- Continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation of this first management plan,
- mutualize, reinforce and optimize human and financial resources,
- coordinate measures between all the actors involved on a marine protected area,
- develop privileged partnerships with neighboring countries (Vanuatu, Salomon Islands, Australia et Papua New Guinea),
- integrate networks to make New Caledonia’s voice heard at the regional and international levels.
THE MANAGEMENT PLAN WRITING PROCESS
This strategic document was written by a managing committee composed of 32 members (representing political and customary institutions, professionals and environmental associations), in which decisions are taken collegially and the result of a participatory approach.
THE MANAGEMENT PLAN WRITING PROCESS
- 20 December 2016 : The Park’s management plan is approved by the committee members, with the exception of one association.
- February 2017 : The management plan is presented to the population as part of a public consultation aiming to gather propositions and fine tune the document.
- In 2017 : The management plan of the Natural Park of the Coral Sea is presented to the government, three years after its creation, as stipulated in the decree which made it a reality.
- March 2018 : Approval of the Decree on the management plan 2018-2022.
