sustainable development planning for small islands
are listed in Table 12.4. In many ways the ecological
management goals are the easiest part of the equa-
tion to specify, while managing the societal, eco-
nomic, and political issues is very difficult (Beller
et al. 1990). As an illustration, concepts of owner-
ship among island nations can be both extremely
varied and complex. In Papua New Guinea, the
Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, ownership is
defined by oral traditions, land is typically owned
by family groups rather than individuals, and there
may be secondary and tertiary levels of ‘ownership’
providing rights of use but not implying actual
ownership of the land (Keast and Miller 1996).
Success in such circumstances will depend on how
well insular resource planning and management
can provide solutions tailored to local circum-
stances and cultures (Nunn 2004), and whether
they carry with them the support of the island com-
munities. The involvement of major users, farmers,
fishermen, charter operators, etc., is one element in
this. The mobilization of non-governmental organi-
zations (NGOs) in island problems is another ele-
ment, whereby energies and expertise exist that
could be harnessed provided interest can be raised.
Perhaps above all, it is necessary to foster a general
public awareness of the environmental and ecolog-
ical constraints and problems, and the significance
to the island societies themselves of the ecological
‘goods’ at stake (Christian 1993).
The importance of public awareness and support
can be illustrated by reference to parrot conserva-
tion in the West Indies. Since the arrival of
Columbus at the end of the fifteenth century, 14
species and two genera of parrots have been lost.
The remaining nine endemic members of the genus
Amazonaare each confined to individual islands.
The case of the Puerto Rican parrot, Amazona vittata,
and its conservation was outlined in Chapter 10.
Within the Lesser Antilles, seven endemic parrots
have become extinct in historical times, with just
four species remaining. They are now threatened
by deforestation, predation, illegal hunting and col-
lecting, competition with exotics, and natural disas-
ters (Christian 1993; Christian et al. 1996). Impacts
on the parrots resulting from habitat alteration
include the loss of nesting cavities, food, and shelter.
Given these pressures, management intervention is
essential for their survival.
Measures for parrot conservation in the Lesser
Antilles consist of environmental education, habitat
protection, enforcement of appropriate legislation,
and enhancement of wild breeding and captive
breeding programmes. Expensive programmes,
such as those adopted for the conservation of the
Puerto Rican parrot, are not feasible in the Lesser
Antilles because of shortage of funds. Despite this,
effective targeting of conservation resources has
delivered some degree of success. Nonetheless,
more needs to be done; first, to protect habitats;SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ON ISLANDS: CONSTRAINTS AND REMEDIES 339Table 12.4Sustainable development options for small islands should aim at increasing self-reliance, and can be categorized
under six basic headings (after Hess 1990).
Categories Examples
Resource preservation Conservation zones, multiple-use options, control of hunting
Resource restoration Replanting, re-introduction, alien herbivore removal
Resource enhancement Freshwater re-use, seawater desalination
Sustainable resource development Small-scale diversified, closely managed forms of resource-
based enterprises (agriculture, fisheries, tourism)
Provision of human services Alternative energy generation sources and distribution
systems, waste disposal
Non-resource-dependent development options Financial services (tax havens), light industries processing
imported materials, rental of fishing rights