INSTITUTIONAL SETTING
Some general characteristics of Pacific islands have particular implications for the
development of appropriate institutional arrangements for sustainable ICZM. These
include:
92
B. Crawley and J. Aston
immediate fix but which may be unsustainable in the longer term. Strategic
approaches are required to address more complex or resource demanding management
concerns. Implementation of such actions to address regional priorities will be at the
national level although the specific priorities will vary among countries.
Experience thus far has shown that the transfer of GIS technology for coastal
management in the Pacific is dependent on a plethora of social, cultural, political and
institutional factors. The most influential factors affecting the viability of coastal
management in the Pacific region are related to the population, economy, culture,
institutional setting, funding and support, training and information.
POPULATION
A common feature of many Pacific islands is the concentration of people in small,
predominantly coastal, areas as a result of migration from rural to urban areas, outer
islands to main islands, or small to large islands, compounded by often high rates of
natural population increase. Large families are the norm and, as a result, population
growth is commonly between two and five percent.
ECONOMY
Many Pacific islands have economies that are still largely subsistence based, but with a
slowly growing cash economy. Few have economies that could continue to expand
without on-going substantial aid inputs or remittances. Nevertheless, there is a trend
to develop in-country capacity for self-sufficiency, stimulation and nurturing of small
private sectors, and a growing emphasis on human resource development.
CULTURE
The Pacific Islands have separate identities and cultures, although there are regional
similarities. Most cultural traditions are centred on the extended family. In many
cases, the resources are concentrated on immediate, up-coming key events of local and
cultural significance (Fauvao, 1995). Up until recently, these societies have not had to
‘plan for the future’ because traditionally there has been an abundance of natural
resources requiring minimal strategies to ensure continuity of supply. Pacific
communities are also used to managing their affairs day by day and week by week
through meetings and verbal consensus (Fauvao, 1995).
Some general characteristics of Pacific islands have particular implications for the
development of appropriate institutional arrangements for sustainable ICZM. These
include:
92
B. Crawley and J. Aston
immediate fix but which may be unsustainable in the longer term. Strategic
approaches are required to address more complex or resource demanding management
concerns. Implementation of such actions to address regional priorities will be at the
national level although the specific priorities will vary among countries.
Experience thus far has shown that the transfer of GIS technology for coastal
management in the Pacific is dependent on a plethora of social, cultural, political and
institutional factors. The most influential factors affecting the viability of coastal
management in the Pacific region are related to the population, economy, culture,
institutional setting, funding and support, training and information.
POPULATION
A common feature of many Pacific islands is the concentration of people in small,
predominantly coastal, areas as a result of migration from rural to urban areas, outer
islands to main islands, or small to large islands, compounded by often high rates of
natural population increase. Large families are the norm and, as a result, population
growth is commonly between two and five percent.
ECONOMY
Many Pacific islands have economies that are still largely subsistence based, but with a
slowly growing cash economy. Few have economies that could continue to expand
without on-going substantial aid inputs or remittances. Nevertheless, there is a trend
to develop in-country capacity for self-sufficiency, stimulation and nurturing of small
private sectors, and a growing emphasis on human resource development.
CULTURE
The Pacific Islands have separate identities and cultures, although there are regional
similarities. Most cultural traditions are centred on the extended family. In many
cases, the resources are concentrated on immediate, up-coming key events of local and
cultural significance (Fauvao, 1995). Up until recently, these societies have not had to
‘plan for the future’ because traditionally there has been an abundance of natural
resources requiring minimal strategies to ensure continuity of supply. Pacific
communities are also used to managing their affairs day by day and week by week
through meetings and verbal consensus (Fauvao, 1995).