Vanuatu

The Vanuatu Archipelago comprises more than 80 islands, stretching over 1,300 km from North to South in the Southwest Pacific and is surrounded by a narrow band of fringing reef. Its territory includes 680,220 km2 of ocean area and two national marine reserves. Around 75 percent of the local population are rural and rely on natural resources for their livelihoods. These are mostly managed by communities with a long history of traditional management.

Vanuatu is home to an estimated 2,500 to 3,500 ha of mangrove stocks that cover approximately 0.2 to 0.3 percent of the total land area. Only nine of the 80 islands hold notable mangrove stands, with almost 2,000 ha found in eastern Malekula alone. They are made up of thirteen different identified mangrove species. 

To date, 12 seagrass species have been found in Vanuatu. They occur mostly in scattered patches or small meadows in proximity of narrow fringing and inner reef areas or sheltered lagoons, bays, and inlets. They support associated flag ship species like the Dugong and Hawksbill and green turtle.

Around 80 percent of Vanuatu’s rural areas is under customary ownership. This includes the foreshores and coastal waters within the outer reef adjacent to customary land. Customary rights include the access and use of resources while Vanuatu’s NBSAP recognizes the rights of custom chiefs and local communities to safeguard the biodiversity in the areas under their control.