TONGA
In 2015, Tonga’s Cabinet launched the marine spatial planning process to sustainably manage the nation’s marine resources for current and future generations. To support Tonga's important work, the Vava’u Ocean Initiative (VOI) was created in 2017. VOI was a partnership between the Government of Tonga, the Vava'u Environmental Protection Association, and the Waitt Institute to support fisheries management, sustainable ocean planning, and conserve biodiversity while allowing for sustainable economic development.
Initially focused on the Vava’u island group, the initiative has grown to be Tonga-wide and is a testament to Tonga’s ongoing commitment to sustainable ocean management. The program, now named Sustainable Ocean Tonga, is an ongoing partnership covering many aspects of ocean management.
The support from the Waitt Institute has three focal areas:
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supporting the creation of a sustainable ocean plan through Marine Spatial Planning (MSP),
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supporting the creation of Special Management Areas (SMAs) for community fisheries, and
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supporting scientific research.
SMA’s are coastal marine areas in which the community has exclusive fishing rights and management responsibilities, including establishing a designated no-take area. Led by the Ministry of Fisheries, the goal of the SMA program is to restore and enhance fisheries resources and increase the resilience of communities. These managed areas contribute to Tonga’s Marine Spatial Plan and their commitment to 30% full protection and 100% sustainable management of their ocean.
Sustainable Ocean Tonga is a government-led program, guided by the inter-ministerial technical working group, the Ocean7.
FOUNDING PARTNERS
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING PARTNERS
The Ocean7 technical working group was established in 2015 and arose out of the need for cross-sectoral planning and communication to achieve national MSP goals. Since then the Ocean7 has reached several key milestones in the process including 2 rounds of national consultation to develop Tonga's Ocean Management Plan (adopted by Cabinet in 2021), and guiding the development of the Tonga Ocean Management Bill, the Tonga National Ocean Policy, and Tonga’s Blue Economy Framework.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
KEY STATISTICS
30% ocean protection commitment.
99% of Tongan territory is ocean.
OUR APPROACH
MOU
Governance and
Work Planning
Assessments
Planning and Legal Development
Implementation
PROGRAM MILESTONES
2015
The Government of Tonga launches the Marine Spatial Planning process
2015
Technical working group Ocean 7 holds first meeting to lead development of the Tonga Ocean Plan
2017
MOU is signed between the Government of Tonga, Vava'u Environmental Protection Association and Waitt Institute
2021
Tongan government approved the Tonga Ocean Plan
2023
Submission of Legal Framework
2025
Launch of Compliance Assessment
PROGRAM TEAM
Vava'u Environmental Protection Association
The Vava’u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) was started in May 2009 by a group of local leaders concerned with the pressing environmental conservation issues facing the islands of Vava’u. VEPA has four focus areas aimed at ensuring biodiversity and conservation, increasing knowledge exchange, and securing sustainable livelihoods.
