VANUATU, Port Olry Village, Espiritu Santo - January 2007
Construction of a community hall in exchange for the creation of a 42-acre terrestrial reserve on two islands for a duration of 20 years
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Port Olry Village is located on the northeast side of Santo, which is the largest island in Vanuatu and has a population of over 1,800. Seacology is constructing a community hall in exchange for the protection of a total of 42 acres on and around Malleuth Island (15 acres) and Malmas Island (27 acres) for a duration of 20 years. *
UPDATE March 2007 - Plans for March through June include site preparation, purchase and transportation of materials and construction of the community hall. The building is expected to be completed by June 2007.
UPDATE October 2007 - The project has experienced some delays due to transportation difficulties, the site leader's travel schedule, and changes in the conservation plans due to land disputes. The walls and foundation were constructed as of August 2007. The entire building is expected to be completed by late 2007.
UPDATE May 2008 - Roofing and window and door framing were scheduled to be constructed in November 2007. However, as of March 2008 the local timber supplier has delayed providing the remaining roofing materials. The entire building is now expected to be complete by mid to late 2008.
UPDATE January 2009 - As of July 2008 a Seacology Germany delegation visited the site with field representative Kevin Tari. They visited the community as well as the two protected islands offshore, noting an active flying fox colony, sea birds, and signs of an active fish population surrounding the islands. Kevin reported the community remains very committed to their protected areas and that the community center itself was nearing completion and is still expected to be complete by the end of 2008. Field representative Kevin Tari visited the site in December 2008.
UPDATE August 2009 - Senior Program Officer Karen Peterson attended the opening of the community hall in June 2009. There is still work to be done on the interior of the building, namely in the bathroom and kitchen. Field representative Kevin Tari will follow up with the builder. The two small islands under protection remain untouched. The village seems quite serious about conservation and has taken the extra measure of buoying off an additional part of their beachfront reef to protect an endangered sardine.
UPDATE December 2009 - As of December 2009 Kevin Tari reports that the MPA is still being observed very strictly. The condition of the center remains much the same though there were reports that it has been used regularly for various meetings.
UPDATE June 2010 - As of June 2010 Kevin reports that the community MPA and island reserves remain strictly intact and have been the main attraction for tourists and visitors to the Port Olry community. The community center is being used very regularly though the interior still needs to be completed. Community leaders have agreed to take responsibility to complete the remaining work in the bathroom and kitchen as well as final paint.
*Support for asterisked projects is provided fully or in part by: 
