Fishing for Change

Solomon Islands

Community-led marine protection, reef resilience and fisheries recovery in the Western Province.

Coastal fisheries and reef systems are under pressure

Coastal fisheries in Solomon Islands play a critical role in food security, nutrition, income and cultural life for rural and island communities. These same fisheries are under increasing pressure from overharvesting, destructive or unsuitable gear, habitat degradation, climate change, limited monitoring capacity and weak enforcement pathways.

In the Western Province, coral reefs, seagrass areas, lagoons and nearshore fisheries are deeply connected to community wellbeing. Protecting these ecosystems requires more than conservation targets alone. It requires locally led governance, practical management tools, strong science, inclusive participation and livelihood pathways that reduce pressure on reef systems.

fishing for change goals

1. Strengthen Community-led Marine Protection
Help local communities and customary owners protect important reef, lagoon and fishing areas through practical local rules, monitoring and long-term management.

2. Develop Pathways to Priority Reef Restoration and Long-term Monitoring
Build the local training, research, site assessment and monitoring systems needed to support future coral reef restoration and biodiversity protection.

3. Improve Fisheries Governance and Reduce Harmful Impacts
Work with fishers, communities and government partners to strengthen local rules, fisheries monitoring, gear transition and fisher-led management.

4. Build Conservation-linked Livelihoods
Support seaweed farming and other livelihood pathways that reduce pressure on reef systems, strengthen household resilience and support long-term marine protection.

Partners & Technical Network

Fishing for Change is supported by community, government, research, conservation and technical partners across marine protection, reef monitoring, fisheries governance and conservation-linked livelihoods.