Solomon Islands National Ocean Policy.

The Solomon Islands National Ocean Policy (SINOP) provides a strategic framework for the integrated management and governance of the nation’s ocean resources. Its vision is to ensure a healthy, resilient, secure, and productive ocean that supports sustainable use and development for the benefit of both present and future generations. The overarching objectives of the SINOP are as follows: (I) to achieve sustainable use and development of the ocean and its resources through integrated ocean governance; (II) to recognize the importance and value of the Solomon Islands’ ocean and its resources as a basis for social, cultural, economic and environmental aspirations for all Solomon Islanders; (III) to strengthen integration, coordination and harmonization of efforts by communities, provincial and national government, and across all sectors; (IV) to uphold the national and international ocean commitments and obligations; (V) to recognize and address competing ocean values and uses by different sectors and stakeholders; (VI) to ensure sustainable food and nutritional security and maximize economic benefits for the people of Solomon Islands; (VII) to protect Solomon Islands’ interests over and the peaceful use of its ocean.
The policy adopts a comprehensive, integrated approach to ocean governance, covering all marine and coastal areas, resources, and activities under Solomon Islands’ jurisdiction, from the high-water mark to the EEZ and beyond. It supports coordinated management across sectors while respecting existing mandates and includes all relevant domains, from airspace and water columns to seabed, biodiversity, and areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The policy seeks to strengthen and institutionalize integrated ocean governance across sectors and at multiple levels, in order to advance national, regional, and global ocean-related sustainable development priorities, including socio-economic development, food security, climate change resilience and adaptation, environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, disaster risk reduction, and national security.
A National Ocean Governance legislation will be developed to provide for the establishment of a national authority responsible for coordinating and overseeing effective implementation of integrated ocean governance in Solomon Islands; recognition of customary, provincial and national rights to use within maritime areas as well as traditional marine tenure with limits and traditional management systems; access and benefit sharing mechanisms; public participation and empowerment of communities; development of dispute/conflict resolution mechanism; and the development of a national marine spatial plan. Existing provincial government and communities’ capacities will be strengthened to establish processes and structures for integrated ocean management and marine spatial planning. All impacts of developments on marine environment will be assessed, and ocean surveillance will be carried out effectively.
Ecosystem-based approaches will be adopted for the protection and management of the ocean environment and its marine resources. A valuation system and financial mechanism will be developed to account for loss and damages of coastal and marine ecosystems for the purpose of protection, rehabilitation and/or restoration. New monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems will be developed to asses, monitor, track and report on the status of the Solomon Islands Ocean, including the impacts of land and ocean based developments and activities.
Proper equitable management and use mechanisms will be established for the sharing of coastal and marine resource benefits. The roles and responsibilities of communities, traditional institutions and resource owners, provinces and other relevant stakeholders will be clarified for proper engagement in ocean governance. Communities will be involved in marine spatial planning, and their knowledge will be revived and maintained.
The policy addresses the threats to ocean taking into account their impacts on Solomon Islands’ social and cultural values, livelihoods, economy, marine ecosystems and food security. To this end, integrated and traditional measures will be established to address, mitigate or reduce threats to the ocean. Proper sanitation and waste management systems will be developed throughout the country’s coastal catchments and shipping industry. Redress mechanisms will be developed to effectively deal with liability issues from the impacts of pollution, wreckages, environmental hazards and illegal activities on land and within the ocean.