Country Profiles

Marshall Islands - Country Profile

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

The biodiversity of the Marshall Islands includes 106 species of birds, 37 mammals, 1059 fishes, 728 crabs, shrimps and other crustaceans, 126 starfishes and 40 sponges. Threats to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity include the loss of traditional knowledge and skills caused by urbanization and migration, and the spread of invasive alien species.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The 16 goals of the strategy are grouped into the following strategic themes: conservation of biodiversity and biological resources, protection of the marine environment, traditional culture and practices, people and biodiversity, biotechnology and biodiversity, and biosafety and biodiversity. For example, one of the goals for traditional culture and practices is to move toward more use of local products, whereas a goal for people and biodiversity is to achieve self-reliance through traditional values and culture. Each goal is associated with specific key actions to be implemented. These actions can also be found in the action plan, but there they have been grouped into four key results to be achieved, which are awareness raising and capacity building at the community level, strengthening the educational system, revision of legislation and enforcement procedures, and research and development.