Tuesday, October 28, 2014

MUR COMMUNITY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN - DRAFT




Representatives of the 6 clans of Mur that helped developed Mur
Resource Conservation Management Plan. Photo: Leeray Letani Robin

























DEVELOPED BY THE PEOPLE OF MUR COMMUNITY, RAI COAST MADANG PROVINCE WITH ASSISTANCE FROM MAKATA INC.


Table of Contents

1.Introduction

1.1. Development of plan

The idea of conservation or management is linked with an icon, one of the prehistoric reptiles of all time, the leatherback turtle.  This animal was used traditional as a means for the famous barter system, the coastal communities would trade the leatherback turtle for garden crops. This was a traditional practice for this community; however locals did not know that this assess was not going to be around for long if there were no actions taken to protect them as they were historically part of history. The people of Mur have expressed their desire to manage their resources and have therefore sought assistance from MAKATA Inc, to facilitate a process to achieve this desire. The seven clans that have traditional ownership of the area met on the 22nd- 24th of September 2014 to agree to have a marine management area. This plan is put together by the clans with assistance from MAKATA their overall vision is to:  “MUR COMMUNITY HAVE RESOURCES IN THE FOREST, BEACH AND SEA AND ARE HEALTHY AND HAPPY.

2. Definition of terms (Need to define)

“LMMA”-  stands for Locally Managed Marine areas

“Tambu”-  is a protected or restricted area

“Marine management committee”-  the group that is responsible for the implementation and enforce the Community resource management plan.

“Management area” - traditional fishing and harvesting areas that have been designated for management by the local community.

“Management Plan” - Community Resource Management Plan 

"Clans" -  A large family group 
 
"Kunai grass"-  Tok pisin version of a type of grass, that occurs extensive areas

3 .Description of the management area

Mur community is about three to four hours by speed boat and is situated in East of Madang
town in the Rai Coast District of Madang Province in Papua New Guinea.  Mur Community is located in Ward 5, Rai coast Madang. It is at least three to four hours by a 40hp engine boat. It is nestled along long stretches of fine black sandy beaches. The people here are subsistence farmers and fishermen. The proposed management boundaries extend from :
ONSHORE (INLAND) CO-ORDINATES
WP001  S 05. 68149° and E 146. 54604°     DIRFONI Border with Baru Village to WP017 S 05. 65538°               
and E 146. 49576° GUPGUP BARET Border with Fanger village; to
BEACH SURVEY CO-ORDINATES
WP018  S 05.65033° and E 146. 49448° GALEMBA BEACH Border with Fanger Village to WP051 S 05. 63673°              and E 146. 50627° Border with Fanger.

Each clan has designated specific strategies within their clan areas and management would be solely their responsibility.
Mur is made up of one big village and several hamlets. They have seven major clans. Here are the
clans and the number of people in each clan.

Clans and Population (To be verified with the Ward 5 Recorder)

1. Marasok – M = 136 –F= 109 – Total = 245
2. Maigomba - M = 72 – F=50 – Total = 122
3. Yakot - M = 69 – F= 42 – Total = 111
4. Kamdau - M = 72 – F = 26 – Total = 98
5. Sokila - M = 58 – F = 22 – Total = 80
6. Mur - M = 115 – F = 64 = Total = 179
7. Dawang - M = 112 – F = 56 = Total = 168


The population is: Male 634; Female 369; Total = 1003.

Apart from the main language of the community there are three other different languages spoken by the clans. (Mention those languages)

The nearest health center, primary school and other government service is at Saidor, the district
headquarters, some two hours walk away from Mur. The only service in the community is the Dawang
elementary and primary school.

The main source of income is cocoa and copra. Another source of income is by selling local crops
at the market, like betel nut (buai), mastard (daka), lime (kambang), peanut, greens, garden
produce, fish etc at the local markets. Mr. Tilom Dabaliga also produces and sells organic stock
feed, a skill he learnt from the agriculture officers based at Rai Coast District.

There is a business operation within the area at Nom plantation which is a few minutes’ walk from Mur and is managed by Benny Leahy. There is a retail store and a wholesale there where people get their store goods. The company also buys copra and wet bean cocoa from the local people.

Apart from the health clinic team and the Catholic priest’s visits, the Volunteer Service Organisation also pays visits to the community.

The nearest airstrip is at Saidor government station, but most people cannot afford to meet the airfares. The most possible transport is by boat and dinghy. Their most frequent mode of transport is by walking.

4. Description of the plan

This management is an agreement between the six clans of Mur Community, namely:
1.       Marasok 2. Maigomba  3. Kamdau 4. Sokila  5. Mur 6. Dawang. This plan was developed to protect and safeguard the community resources in the condition they are in before it is over exploited to the point where it cannot recover.

The management plan describes the resources that the community value discussing their importance and their uses and the condition that these resources are currently at. It also goes on to discuss the threats and provides strategies or regulations and penalties to eliminate or control the threat to the important resources. Inclusive is a monitoring plan that will work towards measuring the effectiveness of the implemented management plan.
The management plan will be implemented by the Mur community members.

5. Community resource use & management Issues

            5.1.Description of current use (Can include pictures here if wanted to show the targets or resources)


The following community targets are of high value to the community leaders; (1) Cocoa (2) Fish (3) Turtle (4) Coral Reefs (5) Sea shells (6) Kunai Grass (7) Sago (8) River
Cocoa , is a cash crop, primarily to earn income. A lot of the locals have fermentations that allow for them to dry their cocoa and then take it to the market for the buyer to pay cash. The locals are highly dependent on this resource as mentioned for income.
Fish is a local protein and communities harvest when need be to complement local garden crops such as sweet potato (kaukau), banana and cassava (tapiok)
Turtle. This animal is used for traditional purposes to trade. They don’t sell turtle meat and eggs. Traditionally, they killed turtles mainly to trade with the inland people for taro. Even today they still don’t sell them. They use it for their own consumption.

Coral Reefs.  This target resource provides for other important marine resources such as fish and shells. There are also cultural stories tied to this resource that the communities still treasure.
Shell fish. This is a delicacy for the locals as well, making up part of the meal, only when there is availability of the preferred shell fish
Kunai Grass is used especially for roofing thatch. This material is available easily and therefore harvesting  is over a large area. It is also cut and burnt to make areas for gardening. Locals also burn the grass to hunt for pigs.
Sago palm. The bark of the sago palm is beaten for its starchy substance which is food for the local. The palm leaves are also used for thatch roofs, such as that of kunai grass. Also where sago palms are found there are small outlets of water where locals use for bathing and washing dishes.
River.  The locals use this area for washing clothes and dishes and bathing.

            5.2. Description of community targets and threats

The conditions of each target based on local observation are as follows and the trend of the resource overtime.
Target resource
Condition at present
Trend over time
Cocoa
Good
Increasing
Fish
Very good
No change
Kunai Grass
Good
Declining
Sea shells
Very good
No change
Coral Reef
Very good
No change
River
Good
No change
Turtle
Good
No change
Sago
Good
No change

The tables above shows that a lot of the resources are perceive by locals as being good and that it will remain in this condition for the next 20 years.  For the Kunai grass locals are seeing areas that are reduced in the mountains and the valleys. The threats that were identified are;
Threat
Threat score
Priority
Overharvesting of resources
38
1
Poison rope fishing
34
2
Cutting  down
22
4
Binatang (insect spoiling the crops)
28
3
Burning or making fires
19
5
Human Waste
16
6
Night spear
16
6
Oil pollution
16
6
 Stealing (Man Stil)
16
6

The most threatened resource identified by locals can also be seen in the table prioritized below.
Resource
Overall threat scores
Prioritization
Cocoa
50
1
Fish
36
2
Turtle
23
7
Coral Reefs
28
5
Sea shells
30
4
Kunai Grass
32
3
Sago
22
8
River
26
6


Participatory discussions have led to identification of the root causes of the majority of the threats which are:
1.       Lack of education and awareness
2.       Demand of resources due to population increase
3.       Demand for income to meet basic necessities
4.       Modern technology and improved way of living (Western culture replacing traditional culture)
5.       Demand for land to make gardens to feed increase in population
6.       Traditional systems have died out so no respect from today generation.

6.     Community Vision & Management Objectives (Please review with the committee this and edit if need be)

The leaders of Mur have jointly developed a vision statement (Driman bilong lukautim ol risos), the vision statement states are:

Vision Statement

 MUR COMMUNITY HAS RESOURCES IN THE FOREST, BEACH AND SEA AND ARE HEALTHY AND HAPPY.

Mission statement

MUR MARINE RESOURSE COMMITTEE WILL TAKE LEAD AND MANAGE THEIR MARINE AND FOREST RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF MUR LIVE A SELF-SUSTAINING LIFE.  

Specific Objectives


Objective 1: NUMBER OF FEMALE TURTLE NESTING WITHIN THE MANAGEMENT AREA INCREASES WITHIN 3 YEARS.
Objective 2: NUMBER OF MARINE RESOURCES INCREASED IN (3) THREE YEARS TIME WITHIN THE MUR MANAGEMENT AREA.
Objective 3: IN THREE YEARS TIME BEACH VEGETATION WITHIN THE MANAGEMENT AREA IS MAINTAINED AND IS IN A HEALTHY CONDITION.

Objective 4:  WITHIN THREE YEARS THE MMCC WOULD HAVE AQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO STRENGTHEN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MANAGEMENET AREA.

7. Specific Terms and Conditions

            7.1 Zoning of the area for specific uses

 The designation of zones has been delineated by clans.  There are two areas within the area (1) open to harvesting but with regulations and (2) Protected area.
A Map needs to be inserted here to show the proposed protected areas. (Wence to provide)
Clan name
Area
Designated zone
Dawang
Mot reef
Tambu (Protected)
Dawang
Parangamal reef
Restriction during spawning times

            7.2 Management Rules

The following set of rules will apply to areas that are open to harvesting by the local communities.  All penalties are outlined in table 7.3.1.
Rules
Total ban of the use of poison rope for fishing
Ban use of double Hook for fishing
Ban use of gill nets  for fishing
No use of dive tank to dive for fish and other marine resources
No night diving
Oil pollution/spillage
No use of dynamite
No Killing of turtle
No harvesting of turtle eggs


The tambu or protected areas is banned from all forms of harvesting. These rules can be seen in table  7.3.1 and the penalties that will be enforced are also in the table.

7.3. Controls and enforcement of Rules (Fees or Penalties and Control Measures)


The following penalties will be imposed if rules are breached.

Table 7.3.1. Rules and Penalties


RULES
PENALTIES
1
Total ban of the use of poison rope
1.1 If there is a First time offender the MMC will give a first warning.
1.2. If it is the second time that the offender  breaks the rule he or she will do community service.
1.3  If it is the third time for the person to break the rule they will be fined K1000
2
Seasonal ban (need to determine dates)on the use double hook for fishing
2.1 First time committed offence will be given warning
2.2 Second time committed offence will do community service work.
2.3  Third time offender will  be charged a fine of K100.00
3
No use of gas tank to dive for fish
3.1 .Offender taken to district court  and fined K5000.00
4
Seasonal ban (need to determine dates)on the use of gillnet fishing
4.1 If there is a first time offender the MMC will give a first warning.
4.2.  If it is the second time that the offender  breaks the rule he or she will do community service
4.3 Third time to break the rule the offender is charged K200.00
5
No night diving
5.1. If there is a first time offender the MMC will give a first warning.
5.2.  If it is the second time that the offender  breaks the rule he or she will do community service
5.3 Third time offender taken to village court and fined K100.00
6
Oil Pollution/Spillage
6.1 Report the spillage to National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) and get report from them.
6.2  Take the report to the National Court level and charge K10,000??
7
No use of dynamite
7.1 Take the matter to district court and be charged K5000.00??
8
 Prohibited to kill turtles
8.1 Give warning to the offender if it is a first offence
8.2 Second time to commit offence to be dealt with at the village court and fined K1000.00??

9
Prohibited to harvest clamshell
9.1 If there is a first time offender the MMC will give a first warning.
9.2.  If it is the second time that the offender  breaks the rule he or she will do community service
9.3 Third time to break the rule the offender is charged K50.00
10
Prohibited to harvest turtle eggs
10.1 If there is a first time offender the MMC will give a first warning.
10.2.Second time offender taken to court and fined K1300.00?? K50 according to Fauna Act 1966
11
Prohibited to harvest sea cucumber
11.1 If there is a first time offender the MMC will give a first warning.
11.2. If it is the second time that the offender  breaks the rule he or she will do community service
11.3 Third time to commit offence taken to village court and fined K1000.00.??
12
Prohibited to harvest  trochus

12.1 If there is a First time offender the MMC will give a first warning.
12.2. If it is the second time that the offender  breaks the rule he or she will do community service
12.3 Third time to commit offence taken to village court  and fined K1000.00.




The rules outlined above will be enforced by the LMMA Committee and will be enforced through the village court system. The duties of the enforcement team is: (1) To ensure that rules are followed (2) Will apply and collect penalties (3) responsible for erecting of the sign posts.
The Marine Management Committee will include (number of males and females and name the members)___________________________________________________________________
NOTE: Need a lawyer to interpret these laws and penalties and advise accordingly before we develop Contract Law (CD) or fill in the LMMA form.

7.     Resource Management Actions


To ensure the effective management of the LMMA the following activities have to be undertaken by the committees and working with our partners, especially when there is need for technical support.
ACTIVITY (WONEM WOK)
 WHAT STEP TO TAKE (HAU BAI YU MEKIM)
LEAD PERSON (MAN IGO PAS)
WHEN TO DO (WANEM TAIM)
1.        
Organise meeting with community leaders

Call all leaders for a meeting to organize programs


MMCC


After this meeting
2. AWARENESS
Conduct awareness  with individual clans, community members, students and school board.

°Clan rep
°MMCC
°MAKATA
°Meeting with all Clans
°Meeting at Community Day in 2014 with students in Term 4 every  Friday
3. Protection of Turtles
Meet to prepare programme
MMCC Chairman
Last week of September 2014

4. Management of Coral reefs
° Meet to prepare programme
MMCC Chairman
2014??
5.Develop a boundary map
Request a boundary map from MAKATA
Cecillia/Leeray
25/09/14
6. Education awareness for committee members
° Invite Marine Cons Scientist to conduct training to build capacity of committees
MAKATA
To be confirmed
7. Turtle Tagging and Monitoring
°Mobilizing of equipments
°Mobilizing and document data and link data to SPREP
MAKATA
To be confirmed

9. Monitoring

The monitoring plan will be developed with the partner organization MAKATA Inc.,  so that the methodologies are aligned with the scientific methodology. The plan will outline the following:
9.1 A local monitoring team will be established and trained to carry out the community-based monitoring, which may include both biological and socio-economic information.
9.2 The monitoring to be done will also be assisted by partnership with MAKATA to provide technical expertise.

Indicator species
Monitoring method
When to do it
Survey site
Who will do survey
Who to share information to
Leatherback ,Green Turtle and Hawksbill
Biological survey
Confirm with JOB
Nesting periods
Nesting beaches along MUR- Confirm name
Local monitors with assistance from expert MAKATA engage
Local Communities, LLG
Coral reef and fish health
Biological survey Belt transect and visual census
Annually
Protected area and open harvest
MAKATA contract expert
Local communities , LLG
Number of trees planted and healthy
Observations/Photo shots
As soon as trees are planted
Beach areas
Local Community
Local people of MUR
Number of offenders
Socio-Economic (SE) survey –Cases from the Village court
Bi-annually
Mur community
Magistrate and Committee
Local communities

10. Others

The management plan will be reviewed annually (or in three or five years??) for adaptive management purposes. If there are changes that need to be done to the document the MM LMMA committees in consultation with the community may make necessary changes during the review of the plan.

Appendices:

1.      List of Management committee (Insert name list here once confirmed)

Appendix 2. Roles and Responsibilities of management committee (Annisah and team to reveiew and develop this with committee)


  •  Chairperson: He/she is responsible for ensuring each committee member is carrying out his/her duties. He/she also has the responsibility to speak at community meetings, with the Ward Member, and the Local Level Government.
  • Treasurer: He/she has the responsibility to account for monies given to the Marine Management Committee from fine collected when rules are breached.
  • Secretary: He/she takes minutes during meetings and deals with documents that are received or sent by the Marine Management Committee.
·         Police /Enforcement Officers (4):  This team will ensure that all rules are followed in the management area and offenders dealt with accordingly.

3. Map of Mur Management Area (Athur Ganubella to complete map before  inserting it here)


4. A Conservation agreement form or Conservation Deed (NEXT STEP: MAKATA to engage a lawyer to develop Mur CD or LMMA Agreement Form and insert the CD form here.  Annisah and team engaged to complete this process with support from MAKATA)

 5. List of  workshop participants

List of participant and the clan they represent:
                NAME:                                                                                  CLAN    
                1. DOMINIC AMBALS                                                          MARASOK
                2. JOHN MATELA                                                                  MAIGOMDA
                3. MELKAI KAMBANG                                                         KAMDAU
                4. JERRY MELAUGI                                                               MAIGOMDA
                5. SMETLY SABAR (or SEMTLI. SABAR)                            MUR
                6. ROBINSON MATELA                                                        MAIGOMDA
                7. ELIAS TANGURENG                                                          MUR
                8. BENSON PETER                                                                 DAWANG
                9. MR. NORBET                                                                      SOKILA
                10. TILOM DABALIGA                                                           DAWANG