Over the past 10 years, the Conservation Society of Pohnpei has been working in partnership with the Pohnpei state government, the FSM national government, Rohsa Kitti and the Nanpei family, the Kitti municipal government and communities and NGO partners to preserve Ant Atoll as a biosphere reserve.
Through the signing of an executive order by Pohnpei Gov. John Ehsa, he declared the protection of Ant Atoll.
He stated that the Pohnpei Department of Land and Natural Resources will identify the precise coordinates for the boundaries of the sanctuary and begin preparation of an inventory of Ant Atoll’s scenic, natural, and cultural features, including, but not limited to ecological, archaeological, historical and geological features.
Various Pohnpei state departments will immediately issue regulations to restrict the taking of any fish, bird, mammal or other wild vertebrate or invertebrate animals or part, or nest, or egg thereof within the boundary of the Ant Atoll Marine Sanctuary.
In addition to signing the executive order, Ehsa will be transmitting a draft bill to incorporate specific areas of the atoll to become part of the Pohnpei State Marine Sanctuary System to the Pohnpei Legislature for action.
According to Patterson K. Shed, the executive director of the Conservation Society of Pohnpei, this is the first ever private and state co-managed protected site in Pohnpei and it was truly a collective effort.
