29 August 2012: The Nguna-Pele Marine and Land Protected Area network (NPMLPA) announced the fourth new Marine Protected Area (MPA) established in the last two months on Vanuatu, with the latest MPA established on 29 August 2012, in the village of Woralapa on Nguna Island.

According to NPMLPA, staff assisted in developing an MPA management plan for Woralapa and establishing a four-member conservation committee. This took place after a week of active community discussions, awareness building and reef surveys in Woralapa, with broad participation of both adults and children. The Woralapa MPA sets up new regulations for fishing, waste management, marine species monitoring, tree planting and awareness building. The NPMLPA network will continue to support the community of Woralapa and follow up on the work done by the conservation committee.

The NPMLPA network is a community-based organization with an “adaptive approach” to improving livelihoods, reducing poverty and sustainably managing natural resources by facilitating local initiatives in environmental education, climate change adaptation, waste management, renewable energy and eco-tourism, among other issues. [NPMLPA Website] [IISD RS Sources]