Karkum renews Conservation Deed

Representatives of Ugerken, Nineng, Gorkom, and 
Nivap-Kirkur clans countersign their
Community Managed Marine Area's
Conservation Deed on Wednesday
29th May 2024 at Karkum village.
Picture curtesy of Jack Suguman, WWF.

By WENCESLAUS MAGUN 

Madang Provincial Fisheries Manager
Greg Serar, pledging to provide
a Inshore Fish Aggregation Devise
for the Karkum CMMA.
Picture curtesy of Jack Sagumai, WWF 

Karkum villagers successfully launched the renewal of their Community Managed Marine Area using a Conservation Deed (CMMA-CD) on Wednesday 29th May 2024, thanks to USAID LGP, TIRN, TNC, WWF, and Karkum villagers for funding and supporting this project.
The goal of this project is to protect, restore, increase, and sustain populations of the most critically endangered Western Pacific leatherback sea turtles, in ways that also meet local communities' social and economic needs.
The event was witnessed by Madang Provincial Fisheries Manager Greg Serar, and his officers, Madang Provincial Forest Manager Constin Otto, and his officers, Madang Provincial Acting Disaster Director, Rudolf Yongali, Sumkar DDA, and his officers, LLG Ward Members from Basken, and Sarang, whilst the Mirap Ward Member was represented by his officer.
They were joined by neighbouring villagers, WWF officer Jack Suguman, USAID LGP officers, Jayanne Malai and Aihi Ken, NBC Madang journalists, a DWU practical journalism student, other distinguished guests, and Karkum villagers.

In addition, four representatives from each of the four clans in Karkum; Nivap-Kirkur, Ugerken, Nineng, and Gorkom together with their beach rangers counter-signed the CD.

This was witnessed by the Chairman of Tokain-Sarang Village Court Magistrate, Martin Wanam, who counter-signed the CD and stamped it with the official Village Court's Seal.
This makes the CD legally binding and can be effectively applied in any court of justice in Papua New Guinea. He was joined by Karkum Ward Member Hon Adolf Lilai.
The CD will be countersigned by Sumgilbar LLG President George Magi who was absent for the signing of the CD.

Map of Karkum CMMA-CD, curtesy of TNC

Karkum villagers will review the CD in three years and renew it after five years.

They first established this project in mid-2006 under the Turtle Island Restoration Network, a US-based not-for-profit NGO and signed their first CD on 17th November 2008.
Fisheries Manager Greg Serar in acknowledging the achievement of this outcome pledged to build an Inshore Fish Aggregation Device (IFAD) for Karkum villagers.
The event was celebrated with traditional singsing, bamboo band music, flag raising, and dance by Karkum Christian Academy students and staff, opening prayer, speeches and a reconciliation ceremony with nature and amongst the clan groups.
In appreciating efforts put in by Mas Kagin Tapani Association to support and sustain the Karkum Sea Turtles Restoration Project, Karkum villagers gifted Wenceslaus Magun with a live pig, fresh garden food, bilums, and related gifts.
Guests were also presented with bilum gifts by Karkum villagers to thank them for witnessing this significant event.

Pr. Moses Mayang gifting 
Wenceslaus Magun with a live pig, 
fresh garden food, and bilums in 
appreciation for his contributions to
help Karkum review and renew 
their CMMA-CD.
Picture curtesy of Jack Suguman, WWF.

This occasion marks a step in the right direction for Karkum villagers in managing and sustainably using their marine and natural resources as well as their biodiversity and its habitat, in ways that will also contribute towards meeting their social and economic needs.

The event was spiced up with food and drinks for everyone who attended the celebrations.