Marshall Islands Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

The Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is a national plan with a cross-sectoral approach. The aim of the NBSAP is to facilitate the biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of Marshall Islands’ biological resources.
In order to conserve biodiversity and biological resources, training and capacity building will be ensured, and modern methods will be combined with the traditional knowledge and skills about sustainable practices of resource management. Traditional “mo” conservation sites will be activated through (i) an awareness-raising program to promote knowledge and awareness of traditional practices of “mo” among all stakeholders, especially youth, (ii) integration of “mo” with the sustainable use of natural resources and land tenure systems, and (iii) incorporation of “mo” into legislation to designate areas of biodiversity importance as conservation areas or “mo”. The genetic diversity of traditional crops, native plants and marine species will be conserved for sustainable use. Gene banks of significant genotypes, of both scientific and cultural importance, will be established for ex situ conservation. Legislation on Intellectual Property Rights will be drafted to protect the rights of indigenous owners of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, to provide access to that knowledge and resources with the prior informed consent of the owners and to provide equitable share of the benefits to owners. Biological diversity components will be monitored at the community, local and national level. Community awareness of the importance of planting trees and crops will be increased, in cooperation with families, youth, NGOs, church groups, and women’s groups. “Reduce, reuse and recycle” will be promoted for environmental protection with the participation of all public and private sectors. All people will be responsible of their own actions by imposition of fines and penalties on those who destroy the resources.
Biosafety measures will be taken for biodiversity conservation, sustainability of marine and land biological resources, and the safety of food products derived from GMOs. In order to improve employment prospects and services in the outer atolls and islands, government funding and external aid will be allocated, and private sector investment will be promoted for outer island development to promote resource based industries such as agriculture, fisheries and handicrafts. Research and development will be improved to ensure more effective use of local products for food, handicrafts, housing, fishing boats and fishing gear, with harmonization of traditional knowledge and modern technology.
The current legislation on biosafety and will be updated and systems will be established to implement this updated legislation effectively. Accountability and transparency will be ensured at community, local and national level for trust building at all levels of governance.