Solomon Islands strengthens climate resilience in fisheries management with updated SIIVA tool

Honiara, Solomon Islands – Government officials, development partners, and stakeholders convened at Paraniju Mountain Lodge from 20-22 April 2026, to refine tools for sustainable fisheries management and climate resilience through the Marine Spatial Planning – Solomon Islands Integrated Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment (MSP-SIIVA) Retreat Workshop.

In her opening remarks, Deputy Secretary Projects of MFMR, Ms Lisa Sugumanu, emphasised the importance of the SIIVA tool, saying “The SIIVA tool will help us understand vulnerability, guide local planning and deliver practical, community-level interventions in light of climate change-induced challenges facing our communities.”

The retreat workshop focused on reviewing and updating the SIIVA tool to better integrate marine spatial planning (MSP) and climate vulnerability assessments, identifying gaps within fisheries management components, developing community survey questionnaires for Makira and Temotu Provinces, and agreeing on an implementation plan.

The CaB-Smart MSP Project will target 10 communities in Makira Province and 15 communities in Temotu Province, where the improved SIIVA tool will be applied.

Director of Climate Change, Mr Thaddaeus Siota, led discussions on integrating SIIVA with CBRM approaches to enhance local-level planning.

Deputy Secretary Technical of MECDM, Mrs Agnetha Vave-Karamui, noted the need for a clear legal framework on ocean governance to ensure national development priorities and community aspirations are effectively captured and addressed.

The workshop concluded with a successful review and refinement of the SIIVA assessment tool, positioning it as a more robust and practical instrument to support fisheries management and climate resilience initiatives.

The outcomes reaffirm the Solomon Islands Government’s commitment to strengthening integrated approaches for sustainable marine resource management and addressing climate change impacts on coastal communities.

The Climate and Biodiversity-Smart Marine Spatial Programme (CaB-Smart MSP) is supported by the New Zealand Government and implemented in five partner countries.

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A participant made a presentation at the workshop

Participants in discussion

Participants in serious discussion