Rangers and WWF collaborate to improve skills and coordination for sustainable resource management in Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands Rangers Association (SIRA) has signed a landmark partnership agreement with WWF-Solomon Islands. This collaboration aims to support communities in better managing their natural resources. The signing occurred at the USAID OurFish OurFuture-funded Sea Cucumber Dialogue at the Solomon Islands National University, with representatives from across Melanesia attending.
Coordinated Approach for Better Management
Dr. Mark Drew, Director of WWF-Pacific, highlighted the benefits of this agreement.“WWF is the first conservation organisation to formally sign a memorandum of understanding with SIRA. It is a pleasure to be working with an organisation that is also committed to supporting improved management of our precious natural resources by local resource owners. he said. ““This agreement will take advantage of the complementary institutional capabilities of both organisations in the development and implementation of separate and joint programmes. WWF has been supporting communities to improve their marine resource management for many years now and this partnership is another step forward in making this work sustainable” he said.
About SIRA
SIRA, established in 2014, is a not-for-profit organization aimed at raising awareness and supporting community rangers in the Solomon Islands. It was Oceania’s first rangers’ association outside of Australia. Additionally, in 2021, SIRA received full membership in the International Rangers Federation. The organization currently has 150 ranger members, many of whom work in WWF community-based fisheries management sites.
SIRA’s Role and Activities
SIRA supports local village rangers, wardens, monitors, and community facilitators. These individuals are engaged by community-based organizations to improve their skills and knowledge. Furthermore, SIRA ensures effective communication links among its members and with other national, regional, and international rangers’ organizations, institutions, and donor agencies.
SIRA does not engage in law enforcement. Instead, it encourages compliance with national and provincial fisheries regulations and community-based fisheries management rules. SIRA also gathers information to report breaches of regulations and rules.
Empowering Community-Based Conservation
Mr. Felix Naitoro, Vice President of SIRA, emphasized the organization’s mission. “We are working towards empowering rangers working in community-based conservation around the Solomon Islands to improve their skills and support their communities to understand the status of their natural resources and implement management rules to protect and sustainably benefit from them”, he said.
Objectives of the Agreement
The main objective of this agreement is to provide a framework for cooperation between WWF-Solomon Islands and SIRA. Initial activities include improved community-led turtle monitoring and the implementation of the SIRA Ranger Field Guide across WWF-supported sites. This will build on the support provided by WWF through the USAID-funded OurFish OurFuture project. The project aims to finalize a review of the SIRA strategic plan and administration policies and procedures.
Press Release: WWF
