A plan to establish what conservationists describe as a “seascape national park” in the Marovo Lagoon of Western Province is well on track.
The proposed Kavachi Seascape National Park is being led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), a US-based non-profit organisation that works to protect wildlife, forests, oceans and other important natural areas around the world.
In a statement, WCS said it has completed consultations on the draft plan for managing the proposed national park, with strong support from communities and the Western Provincial Government.
The consultations were held from 2 to 13 August 2026 in Gizo and at four locations around Marovo Lagoon – Bili, Batuna, Tiqe and Seghe.
Representatives from 34 communities took part, with 134 people attending the meetings. Women made up 29 per cent of the participants.
Community members, traditional leaders, fishers, women and young people were given an opportunity to learn about the proposed national park and share their views, concerns and ideas about how it should be managed.
Many communities supported the proposal, recognising Kavachi as a unique underwater volcanic area and an important home for fish and other sea life.
Participants said the national park could help protect the area from overfishing, illegal harvesting, deep-sea mining and other activities that could damage the marine environment.
They also saw opportunities for research, education, tourism and sustainable livelihoods.
Hickson Job, Chairman of the Tiqe Congregation, welcomed the consultation and stressed the importance of including local communities in decisions about the area.
“We support the protection of Kavachi because it is an important part of our marine environment and is connected to the history and identity of our people,” Job said.
“However, communities must be properly represented in its management,” he added.
The consultations also allowed communities to discuss proposed rules for the national park, including what activities would be prohibited and the penalties for breaking the rules.
WCS Solomon Islands National Ocean Advisor Rosalie Masu said the consultations had given communities an important opportunity to help shape the future of the proposed national park.
“The feedback received will help ensure that the Management Plan is practical, inclusive and responsive to the priorities of the people who have longstanding connections with the area,” Masu said.
WCS also met with the Western Provincial Government in Gizo to present the proposal and seek its views on the draft management plan.
The Provincial Government endorsed the proposed establishment of the Kavachi Seascape National Park and expressed support for moving the initiative forward.
Premier Billy Veo said the proposed park could help protect the province’s marine environment while creating opportunities for partnerships and sustainable development.
“The Western Provincial Government supports the proposed establishment of the Kavachi Seascape National Park,” Veo said.
“Kavachi is a unique and important part of the western Solomon Islands’ marine environment, and its protection will contribute to the conservation of marine life and the sustainable use of our ocean resources,” he added.
Veo said successful management of the proposed park would require close cooperation between the National Government, Provincial Government, communities and partners such as WCS.
The statement said further consultations with national government ministries and agencies are now underway in Honiara.
These will allow government agencies to review the proposal and provide their views on the draft management plan.
The consultation process is expected to be completed by the end of September.
WCS said it hopes to submit the proposal for the Kavachi Seascape National Park to the National Government for consideration by November 2026.
“The proposed park would protect a unique underwater volcanic and marine area while giving local communities a stronger role in managing their ocean resources and creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods,” WCS said.
