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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MACARTHUR FOUNDATION AWARDS MORE THAN $4 MILLION TO HELP PROTECT THE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS OF MELANESIA CHICAGO, IL, April 13, 2004, --/World-Wire/---The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has announced 15 grants totaling more than $4 million to help protect the marine ecosystems of Melanesia, a region of 1,600 islands that stretch 3,000 miles across the South Pacific. "MacArthur's support for conservation in the Pacific islands of Melanesia is focused on helping local communities manage their natural marine resources and cultivate sustainable harvesting practices for the aquarium fish trade in their protected reefs, a major source of income for the communities," said Jonathan Fanton, President of the MacArthur Foundation. "Because of traditional land and sea rights that govern most of the countries of Melanesia, nearly all of the natural resources of the islands are controlled by the communities themselves. This means conservation efforts must focus on strengthening local organizations and promoting national and regional policies that help communities preserve their marine resources for future generations." MacArthur's conservation and sustainable development grantmaking in Melanesia is designed to help promote Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs)-networks of local communities that work together on conservation efforts-and to support sustainable fisheries for the aquarium fish trade. Grants are made to help train LMMAs in conservation techniques and practices and for efforts to help them better coordinate and share lessons learned with neighboring communities. To view the complete grant announcement including a list of grantees, please visit: CONTACT: Jen Humke, The MacArthur Foundation, 312.726.8000 |
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