Kosrae Advances Sustainable Ocean Management with Draft Marine Spatial Plan

KOSRAE, FSM — Kosrae has reached a major milestone in protecting and sustainably managing its ocean. The Kosrae Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Working Group has completed a draft Marine Spatial Plan for the state's nearshore waters, an achievement that positions Kosrae as a leader in ocean governance.

The draft plan reflects years of community engagement, scientific research, and collaboration across government agencies, resource management committees, and civil society. It represents a holistic, locally-driven vision for how Kosrae's waters will be managed, protected and used for generations to come.

A Plan Rooted in Community 

Kosrae's draft Marine Spatial Plan is built on a foundation of local knowledge. The process began in 2022 with the Blue Prosperity Micronesia Ocean Use Survey in Kosrae, a comprehensive mapping effort in which community members identified the ocean spaces they use and value most. In 2024, the MSP Working Group was formally established and developed a set of Principles, Goals and Objectives to guide the planning process.

In 2025, Blue Prosperity Micronesia, Kosrae Department of Resources and Economic Affairs (DREA) and the Kosrae Conservation & Safety Organization (KCSO) engaged directly with local fishers to document when and where important fish species gather to reproduce in Kosrae's waters. This critical data on fish spawning aggregations will be integrated into the plan to ensure that Kosrae's most important spawning  areas are protected and can continue to sustain communities into the future.

What the Draft Marine Spatial Plan Includes

The current draft Marine Spatial Plan includes designated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to safeguard critical habitats, as well as clearly defined zones for sustainable aquaculture and renewable energy development, including floating solar. By organizing the ocean space thoughtfully, the plan aims to support all ocean users while ensuring the long-term health of Kosrae's reefs and marine ecosystems.

Next Steps: Community Consultation

The draft plan is not yet final. In the coming months, the draft Marine Spatial Plan will undergo public consultation, providing all community members an opportunity to review the draft, ask questions and provide feedback. This step is essential to ensuring the plan is as transparent, inclusive and reflective of Kosrae's communities as possible. 

Upcoming work includes analyzing the economic potential of aquaculture and renewable energy, which were two priority sectors identified by the Kosrae MSP Working Group. The BPM team will also advise on how to strengthen Kosrae's fisheries monitoring.

Broad Collaboration, Shared Ownership

Kosrae’s MSP Working Group that led this effort brings together a wide range of voices and institutions, including the Governor's Office, Kosrae Conservation & Safety Organization (KCSO), Department of Resources and Economic Affairs (DREA), Kosrae Visitors Bureau (KVB), Port Authority, Office of the Attorney General, Kosrae Island Resource Management Authority (KIRMA), Historical Preservation Office (KHPO), Kosrae Utility Authority (KUA), the four municipal Resource Management Committees (RMCs) of Malem, Tafunsak, Lelu, and Utwe Biosphere Reserve (UBR), and Blue Prosperity Micronesia.

Leading the Way for FSM

As part of the Micronesia Challenge and FSM's commitment to protecting 30% of its national waters, all four FSM states have pledged to protect 30% of their respective waters. 

Ocean health is the foundation of food security, cultural identity and economic opportunity across all of FSM. Kosrae's progress shows what is possible when communities, government and partners work together with a shared vision. Upcoming public consultations will ensure that all community voices are heard before the plan is finalized.