Manta Pohnpei: Preserving Marine Resources via Eco Tourism

Increasing island economies and natural resource conservation by providing sustainable and scalabe EDU/ECO-tourism through manta ray awareness.

Problem: An island often known as the forgotten dive destination of Micronesia (Pohnepi Dive Club, 2018) and the garden of Micronesia (Britannica, 2018). The UNDP and The Asian Bank studied the economy of Pohnpei in the early 2000’s; but in many ways like other small islands around the world, the research is scare, or not continued, leaving information and details about these communities often outdated. Pohnpei’s economy is well below the poverty line with over 17% living on only $1.90 a day (The Borgen Project, 2017). Currently on Pohnpei depleting the natural marine resources to fulfill basic needs through over fishing is common.

Objective: By the end of December 2019, will create an accurate underwater diving map with manta education, produce branding and awareness via a video and social media campaign, and create 10 new MOUs with partners.

Our solution will change the economy without depleting natural resources for sources of income. By following the lead from Palau, another oceanic island, we are learning from their successes and lessons learned through successful launch in eco-tourism. The Palau Project in conjunction with Blue Planet is bringing university students to the island to learn about the ecosystems and cultures, documentary films are being created to capture the uniqueness of the island and helping to increase tourism and support of the local economy. This has created a model and a best practice approaches for other islands around the world to increase support of precious island economies while preserving natural resources. 

Our approach to increase the sustainable economic activity of Pohnpei will be through eco-tourism; specifically, manta diving. The Pohnpei manta ray populations has over 100+ different individuals with 40% black morphs manta rays (Pohnpei Surf Club, 2018). A map has been created in the past, however it is outdated and was not created by divers. Our team will work together with our strong partners (government, private, and civil) in implementing the education and eco-tourism opportunities where we would develop the branding and marketing, and our expert divers would create underwater maps to the manta populations in the Pakin Atoll and Ahnd Atoll (where no maps currently exist). These reusable maps will share details about mantas and how to safely dive with them.

Scaling: Our solution would change the economy without depleting the natural resources, increase awareness to the dive community about the paradise the exists underwater in Pohnpei and create revenue producing avenues for the island inhabitants. Pohnpei, has a vast population of manta rays, a unique, massive and beautiful creature that is favored by the dive community. By increasing awareness and the developing a safe, sustainable project we will be able to support the island in a safe and approachable project that can be modeled for other island economies. Manta Pohnpei will leverage Palua’s approach, but adapt it to the cultural, political, and economies of Pohnpei. Once successful we will adapt this model to other islands in the FSM and Oceania region.

The innovation of our project will be through the use and expertise of marine biology scientists and dive experts, using advanced GIS technology to will help analyze manta photo locations and times sighted, thus increasing awareness and education of the manta population in Pohnpei, while providing accessibility to divers around the world. The maps will be an innovative resource for Pohnpei, as the only existing map is outdated and was not accurately created. The two-fold solution is to increase educational opportunities while increasing eco-tourism on the island.

Adventuring with an educational and environmental purpose through the advancement of technology has created a more interconnected world. GIS technology is vital to our solution to make oceanic maps with overlay vectors. This technology is new for oceanic purposes. Our team will navigate and develop highly detailed and accurate maps for the use of sharing the waters with the majestic manta rays of Pohnpei to create an edu/eco tourism industry and preserve natural resources. Technology through short videos will also create a way to market to the international community. Our team is well-versed in video for social media and marketing.

By the end of 12 months, MCC will create an accurate underwater diving map with manta education, produce branding and awareness via a video and social media campaign, and create 10 new MOUs with partners. Our team will spend three weeks in total on the island of Pohnpei and work with partners. We will purchase a GIS software for the educational / tourism portion of the project to increase marketing and branding for this ecotourism opportunity. We will also submit financial and programmatic reports to MIT throughout this 12 months.

We will scale this project of eco/edu tours to Kosrae and Yap by the end of three years, and to the Marshall Islands and Chuuk by the end of five years. Even though Palau has a model, we will augment this model by providing GIS technology combined with scientific diving to highlight the preservation of the marine environment and species. We will then leverage our expertise in video media/social media by creating marketing for tours.  Finally we will leverage and strengthen our relationships with these islands to provide the logistical framework of roll out.

Customers: Our primary customers will come from the international dive community. We have a combined following of 40,000+ and will also leverage influencers. Video media and marketing will be conducted via social media, publications, and traditional and online media.

Beneficiaries: We will work with current partners (governmental, dive club, hotels, and private sector) in Pohnpei and increase an additional 10 partners (hotels, airlines, influencers,) by the end of 12 months. We will reach current partners through our contacts via Skype, email, and Whatsapp conversations. MCC will also be in Pohnpei for at least three weeks.

We work with government officials, dive club members, surf club members, hotel owners, and civic leaders in Pohnpei. We also work with the international dive community through our Manta Mania on the island of Yap, our Sea Life Adventures across the islands, and our work on Guam. We have certified 10 students and interns as divers and believe in scientific diving as a means to preserve marine environments. We also work on media platforms / website development / and scientific marine research.

12 months: We will work with 50 local islanders (government officials, dive team, boat captains, hotel owners, airline employees, and civic leaders). We will also work with our three team members and have a reach of 40,000+. We will serve beneficiaries by the creation of tools (GIS map), marketing and media (creation of films/social media/branding), and 10 partners. We will serve customers by creating awareness of Pohnpei as an eco/edu tourist destination, the logistical framework (liaison with hotels / airlines) and interactive GIS map.

Three years: We will work with 100 local islanders and 500 international divers.

Our team is comprised of dedicated conservation professionals including a scientist, experts, and technicians for habitat and species preservation throughout Micronesia. Julie Hartup, M.S., has a rich marine science background, Chase Weir is a leading underwater videographer, and Brad NAME is a long-standing web and graphics developer. We are dedicated in the preservation of species native to our islands, and strong conservation stewards. Our diverse networks allow us to continue to build partnerships and increase resources, allowing us to continue to succeed and impact islands throughout Micronesia. We actively engage with local communities and the marine community around the world.

MCC has a sound financial management system in place. As a new organization, it is vital for us to tap into individuals and organizations that can provide a support so that we can best manage funding and implement projects. Therefore, MCC utilizes Madeline Bresnahan, Jerry McClain, and Holly Rustick. Madeline is a trained accountant with a BS in Accounting and assists with financial management and business development for MCC. Jerry McClain is a CPA and worked with Ernst & Young for the Indo-Pacific region. Holly Rustick has a background in grant management, writing, reviewing (both federal and non-federal). She has managed grants since 2010 in the total amount of more than $3million per year. MCC’s board of directors exercises programmatic and fiscal oversight by reviewing and evaluating the programmatic and financial reports as presented during the quarterly Board of Directors meeting.  The Executive Director reports the Executive and Financial Reports for the day-to-day operations and financial situation including funding and business opportunity. The Executive Board of Directors are signatory for payment and disbursement over a $1000 amount as the Management Internal Control practice and in compliance with the fiscal policy and procedure. 

Solve is recognized around the world as a global team that partners with teams the drive transformational change. We believe that through our likeminded approach to solve problems, first evaluate the current economic and environmental trends and challenges we face, develop plans that tackle these challenges, engages and develops the local community and strive to be responsible and act as a best practice model for other communities around the world. Increasing visibility and potential partnerships for future advancements. It is through these meaningful partnerships that effective change is made.

It will important for us to approach the project and further our partnerships with the government on island the deeply involves the local community through the project development, jobs and education opportunities for their youth. Partnership with Solve can help in the development, allowing us to create a high quality plan and begin the execution of that plan without seeking steep financial investment from the local community. As a partner of Solve, it further shares our story with likeminded individuals and help increase visibility of the island, its people and uniqueness of Pohnpei.