Tonga Special Management Area Strategy 2025–2030.

The Tonga Special Management Area (SMA) Strategy 2025–2030 sets out a national framework to strengthen community‑based coastal fisheries management over the five‑year period. Its core goal is to ensure sustainable, resilient, and community‑managed coastal fisheries, aligning with national policies and broader ocean governance objectives, while empowering local communities through the SMA approach. The strategy establishes clear targets, processes, and standards to support the establishment, expansion, and effective management of SMAs across Tonga.
To achieve these goals, the strategy emphasizes actions focused on strengthening governance and institutional support. This includes expanding and formalizing SMAs, clarifying management arrangements, and enhancing collaboration between communities, government agencies, and development partners. It also prioritizes the development and application of clear guidelines, criteria, and operational procedures to ensure SMAs are consistently implemented and effectively monitored, alongside improved compliance and enforcement mechanisms.
Furthermore, the strategy prioritizes capacity building, resource management, and resilience. Key actions include supporting community participation and leadership, improving data collection and monitoring of coastal fisheries, and integrating climate change adaptation and disaster risk management into SMA practices. It also focuses on strengthening technical support, securing sustainable financing, and enhancing awareness and education to ensure long-term effectiveness and sustainability of Tonga’s coastal fisheries management system.