In 2000 the Lenger Island Marine Protected Area was the first community-based marine protected area in Pohnpei. Since then, Lenger’s successful model has encouraged other communities to establish their own mpas. As of September 2005 there are now eleven community-based marine protected areas in the federated states of Micronesia based on Lenger’s model. With the help of the Conservation Society of Pohnpei, a network of community members from each MPA monitors their area, testing for the successful increase in fish and biomass diversity.

The boat was purchased in late 2000, and the marine reserve was formally dedicated in March 2001. Since that time, CSP has been actively involved in sponge farming as an alternative income-generating activity in the area. There are now three active sponge farms. The community is still helping to enforce the ban on fishing and combat poaching within the Lenger Island Marine Protected Area. In the last month, dive operators, CSP and the community worked together for a coastline clean-up day.