According to the members of the Northern Reefs planning team, the draft plan is focused on a particular area of the Northern Reefs – Ebiil Conservation Area – because it is a site that has already been established and of particular interest to many.
Ebiil Conservation Area was established in early 2000 and was designated as “no-entry” zone except for scientific research and monitoring. The draft plan proposes to establish mechanisms and systems through which access into the area is possible for tourism and other forms of sustainable activities. Further, built into the draft plan is a proposal for manageable enforcement, provided mandates are established.“This is the very beginning of a long plan,” said Harper Skang, Northern Reefs Office coordinator. “ It is an on going process that requires the support of everyone.”According to Skang, plans are basically just guidelines that sort of maps out who, what, where, and when things should be done in order for a given goal to be accomplished.“We are essentially creating a map of activities for the Northern Reefs,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure that people be able to continue to use the resources of the Northern Reefs in a sustainable manner while at the same time, create opportunities for the future generations to enjoy the same resources.”Skang said the Northern Reefs and its resources needs protection. Consequently, the Northern Reefs planning team, which created about a year ago, is looking to establish a plan that no only benefits the fish, but would ultimately serve the people.“It has taken some time to put the draft plan together,” he said. “However, this plan is not definite. It is not set in stone. It is likely change in accordance with our changing life-style. It is a process that has been written.”Skang said the success of any plan depends on the support from the people that it is intended to serve; and the commitment of the people tasked with ensuring that all of its components are implemented.“We are hoping to receive recommendations from the people who are helping us review and refine the initial draft plan for the Northern Reefs,” he said. “I expect and hope that there would be many recommendations and suggestions to the draft plan.”Skang said: “any criticism of the plan, be it negative or positive, is of value to its final development.” In the end, he said, each comment received that could give more life to plan will be incorporated. Any interested in learning more about the Northern Reefs management plan development or anything else pertaining to the Northern Reefs can contact Harper Skang at (680) 855-6950 or email: [email protected].
