YAP, Qokaaw and Kadaay - January 2010
Watershed rehabilitation, surveillance equipment and a project operation center in exchange for a 46-acre no-take pristine mangrove sanctuary in perpetuity
The scenic and culturally pristine villages of Qokaaw and Kadaay are located in Weloy municipality on the West coast of Yap, Federated States of Micronesia. These communities have already taken an active interest in conservation with the establishment of the 192-acre Nimpal Channel Marine Conservation Area (MCA). The communities are aware that conserving mangrove areas around the Nimpal Channel MCA is key to reducing run-off and providing habitat for juvenile fishes. With this in mind, they are proposing to preserve a 46-acre area of pristine mangrove, adjacent to the MCA. This particular forest survived Typhoon Sudal and contains at least four of the main five genera of mangroves in Yap. In exchange for setting aside the Qokaaw and Kadaay Mangrove Reserve in perpetuity, Seacology will fund rehabilitation of some areas of the watershed that have become choked with fallen logs and branches; improvement of surveillance of the Nimpal Channel and mangrove reserve areas, including repairs to an existing surveillance platform, construction of a new one and purchase of a kayak to support surveillance efforts in the reserves; and construction of a project operation and storage center on the shore adjacent to the two reserves. The villages of Qokaaw and Kadaay are steeped in tradition and this project is seen as having important cultural and social benefits for communities who have taken unilateral steps to protect their natural heritage. 
UPDATE June 2010 - The first payment was sent in May 2010, and purchasing of materials began immediately. The project startup is officially ahead of schedule and project leaders hope to continue the same pace during construction.
UPDATE January 2011 - The Talul and Yaal Waterway system restoration and rehabilitation has been completed. The stream bank and mangrove passage restoration and rehabilitation is 50 percent complete, and work is proceeding according to schedule. Surveillance and enforcement planning and logistics have been completed, and work on that component of the project commenced in December as did work on the program operation center.
UPDATE June 2011 - YapCAP Executive Director Chief Charles Chieng passed away in July 2010; his longtime colleague Vanessa Fread has taken over the role of project coordinator. The first payment was sent in May 2010, and purchasing of materials began immediately. The Talul and Yaal Waterway system restoration and rehabilitation has been completed. The stream bank and mangrove passage restoration and rehabilitation is complete. Work has also been completed on program storage area spaces. Existing storage space has been enhanced and a second storage extension completed. The second surveillance platform is not yet complete. This is expected to be completed within a month's time once the dock’s floats arrive. Floats are expected to arrive in May 2011.
Indicates full or partial funding by Seacology UK
