Marae Moana Policy 2016-2020.

The Marae Moana Policy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of this Policy is 5 years between 2016 and 2020. The purpose of this Policy is to ensure conservation of biodiversity and natural assets in the oceans, reefs and islands while achieving economic growth in terms of sustainable development. The objectives of this Policy are: (i) conservation and ecological sustainability, (ii) integrated planning and adaptive management, (iii) marine resource development, (iv) marine tourism development, (v) maritime transport and safety , (vi) marine spatial planning , (vii) transparent management processes, (viii) socially responsible maritime development, (ix) maritime cultural heritage, (x) partnerships , (xi) education, communication, consultation and commitment, (xii) research and monitoring, and (xiii) sustainable financing.
Food security will be achieved by minimizing the negative impact of offshore and coastal marine resource exploitation on local island communities. Healthy ecosystems and sustainable use of natural resources management will be strengthened to ensure the sustainability of fish and fish products.
This Policy applies to marine areas within national jurisdiction including internal waters, territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and any other marine area that becomes under the partial or full control of the Cook Islands. National conservation and ecological sustainability polices and strategies will be applied to maintain genetic, species and ecosystem diversity and restore degraded ecosystems and habitats to become resilient and biologically productive whilst providing the opportunity for ecologically sustainable use.
Smallholders will be supported by maximizing the positive social impacts of marine and maritime development and by creating an equitable society with equal opportunities for all. Access to income generation opportunities will be facilitated by strengthening knowledge and skills on sustainable use of the marine environment. The capacity of communities will be enhanced to enable them take the responsibility for and involve themselves in ecologically sustainable use of natural resources.
New and existing inshore marine protected areas will be established and supported to enhance food security and to protect and improve biodiversity, rehabilitated or restored areas and traditional practices. The coordination, partnerships, research and information sharing will be promoted for integrated management, sustainable management and protection of the marine and ocean resources. The opportunities will be increased to make optimum economic use of marine resources whilst ensuring ecological sustainability and social development. Fisheries industry will be developed and market accreditation for seafood exports will be achieved in accordance with the trade policies. Moreover, international best practice will be applied for the development of the seabed minerals industry, whilst adhering to the precautionary principle. Access and use of genetic material in the marine environment, including bioprospecting, will be ensured in line with the principles of the Nagoya Protocol and the intellectual property rights including traditional knowledge will be protected. The opportunities in the tourism industry will be diversified for ecologically sustainable and socially beneficial growth in the marine tourism sector. The maritime industry will be developed towards meeting international standards including a regular, reliable and safe inter-island shipping service. Furthermore, the use of the Marae Moana will be coordinated through zoning and a management plan. Legal framework will be strengthened to ensure the transparency and accountability in the operationalization of the Marae Moana. Maritime cultural heritage will be protected in terms of culture and the environment.
The Marae Moana Coordination Office within the Office of the Prime Minister shall coordinate implementation of this Policy, any revisions required and the development of the Marae Moana Action Plan. The Marae Moana Coordination Office shall also compile progress reports for the Marae Moana Council.