Small islands, big networks

This week, INTO joined SMILO and other partners to highlight the crucial role of small islands in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).  We were delighted to play our part in official launch of the Small Islands Alliance during the World Island Networks meeting on 15 October. Moreover we look forward to its development in advance of the UN Ocean Conference next year.

Learning and sharing

SMILO’s Small Islands Meet-up in the Frioul islands and Marseille united a global network of stakeholders. All committed to the preservation and sustainable development of small islands.

Three INTO members were represented: the National Trust for Scotland, the Conservatoire du Littoral and the National Trust, alongside many others involved in small island communities.

Marine Protected Areas

INTO’s membership includes many islands, both big and small. And we know that islands have a key role to play protecting natural and cultural heritage worldwide.  We were therefore very happy to share thoughts on small islands as powerful boosters for the creation and efficient management of MPAs.

In supporting the common position adopted in Marseille, Catherine Leonard, INTO Secretary-General, referenced a survey of INTO members.  As well as feedback from our recent Island Incubator programme.

The 2024 Islands Incubator brought together ten INTO member organisations. They explored many aspects of running a national trust in an island environment. With a particular focus on managing coastal sites for nature, tourism and local communities.

Earlier this year, we consulted this group about SMILO’s initiative on the role of island communities in MPAs.  INTO members highlighted several challenges. They felt their MPAs lacked adequate resources to meet management targets. They identified threats like marine pollution, over-fishing, climate change, invasive species, lack of sustainable financing and weak legal frameworks. All pressures  which have increased since the creation of the MPAs.

Community engagement in marine conservation varied amongst the respondents. About half integrated local knowledge and initiatives like sea moss farming and mangrove charcoal production into their MPAs.

Cooperation with other islands, regional organisations and international stakeholders is strong, especially in the Caribbean. This includes research, peer-to-peer workshops, site-specific technical support, learning exchanges and direct funding. However, there is a desire to do more.

Suggestions for improving MPAs included more community outreach, revising operational plans and using science-based evidence to inform policies.

INTO welcomes the SMILO initiative to unite multiple voices into a formal statement reaffirming our shared principles and values.

We support greater representation and support for small island communities in global decision-making, visibility and conservation efforts.

We appreciate the emphasis on protecting the natural and cultural heritage of small islands by integrating local knowledge, fostering partnerships and implementing eco-responsible practices.

Finally, we wholeheartedly support ensuring communities have the resources and recognition to safeguard their unique ecosystems and contribute to global biodiversity conservation.

Resilient islands

Catherine finished her remarks in support of the initiative with two quotes from INTO member organisations:

“We are very under resourced and lack both human as well as financial capacity.”

“For a small island, our MPA is bigger than the size of France.”

Despite these challenges, our commitment to preserving nature and heritage remains strong. Resilience is at heart of this effort. Through resilience, we adapt, innovate and thrive, making our collective efforts more powerful and impactful.