Chuuk Lagoon (Truk) and its surrounding waters in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) are part of the Coral Triangle, the global epicenter of marine biodiversity. The region boasts over 300 species of coral, 1,000+ fish species, sharks, and other marine life. Protection of its marine environment is crucial due to its rich biodiversity, extensive coral reefs, and historical significance (including the famous Chuuk Lagoon shipwrecks from World War 2). However, the region faces environmental threats such as overfishing, climate change, and pollution.
Overfishing and destructive practices - Unsustainable fishing methods, e.g. dynamite- and cyanide-fishing, have damaged the local reefs. The consequent decline in fish stocks affects local food security and livelihoods.
Climate change and coral bleaching - Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification threaten coral reefs, not just in Chuuk but world wide. Increased storm intensity from typhoons causes physical damage to marine ecosystems. The struggle continues to get several of the major industrial nations to recognise that climate change is even an issue.
Pollution (plastic waste and run-off) - Limited waste management leads to plastic pollution in coastal waters. Agricultural and urban runoff introduces harmful nutrients, causing algal blooms. It's not just the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that collects trash - floating plastic blights the shores of many nations, including those in the Pacific. A 2022 study reported that 75+% of the plastic pollution is from fishing and agriculture, with most of the floating rubbish originating from Japan, China, South Korea, the USA, and Taiwan.
Shipwrecks and environmental risks - Chuuk Lagoon's WWII wrecks are the major dive tourism attraction, but they are leaking oil and heavy metals, posing risks to marine life. There are 50 shipwrecks and over 250 aircraft on the lagoon sea floor. Not only does this affect the marine life, it also affects the long term sustainibility of the local scuba diving industry.
The Micronesia Challenge is a regional inter-governmental initiative in the western Pacific region that aims to facilitate more effective conservation of marine and forest resources in Micronesia. The FSM (including Chuuk) has committed to protecting 30% of near-shore marine resources by 2030. Additional Chuuk has important partnerships with relevant NGOs, such as The Nature Conservancy and NOAA, for sustainable resource management. They promote the use of traditional fishing practices, seasonal bans, and size limits.
At the village level, some communities have established locally-managed MPAs to protect fish spawning grounds. Education programs are being created to raise awareness about marine protection. Eco-tourism is being encouraged as an alternative livelihood to reduce fishing pressure.
National education and marine institutions are involved in coral reef restoration. Coral planting and reef monitoring programs are in place to combat bleaching, and research is ongoing to find resilient coral species that can withstand warming waters.
As for the Truk scuba diving industry, wreck preservation strategies and oil removal are underway. This involves efforts to assess and mitigate oil leaks from sunken World War II ships, balancing dive tourism with environmental protection.
Chuuk's marine ecosystems are vital for its biodiversity, local culture, and the economy. Strengthening conservation efforts will help preserve its underwater heritage for future generations. But in reality, Chuuk is a tiny Pacific nation state. It has limited access to funding and can only practice limited enforcement of conservation laws. Additionally, the nation's population continues to grow, further increasing pressure on marine resources. There is recognised need for stronger policies on plastic waste and fishing regulations.
You can support funding of the local communties by choosing a Truk liveaboard diving cruise with us.
Customer rating: Good
Customer rating: Good
From the outset, the Dive The World Dream Team advised me that a liveaboard would be best to suit my needs instead of local dives. Not knowing Phuket, this was great advice for me. I found the staff extremely knowledgeable, friendly and were available to chat at any time if I had any issues. I would definitely recommend their services to friends.
