Western Province, Solomon Islands - WWF has worked in the Western Province of Solomon Islands for three decades; implementing community-led approaches in sustainable fisheries and marine resource management. Today, that commitment is growing—with new partnerships taking root across East Guadalcanal and Central Island Province, for healthier fisheries and resilient coastal ecosystems.  

In the last three months, WWF has received interests from coastal communities in Guadalcanal and Central Island Province, eager to take the lead in protecting their marine resources and strengthening livelihoods. These communities are now partnering with WWF through the ‘Solutions for Marine and Coastal Resilience in the Coral Triangle’ (SOMACORE) Programme, a multi-country initiative funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) and implemented by the International Climate Initiative (IKI). 

SOMACORE brings together 10 regional and international partners such as Conservation International (CI), Konservasi Indonesia (KI), Coral Triangle Center (CTC), Eco Custodian Advocates (ECA), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Indonesia Locally Managed Marine Area Network (ILMMA), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Wide Fund for Nature Pacific – Solomon Islands (WWF), and WWF – Malaysia.  

WWF’s focus is on taking its Community Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) approaches from programmes in the Western Province into Central and Guadalcanal Provinces. In June, a joint team of WWF and government officers set out by sea from Honiara on a week-long field mission—despite rough weather and long sea legs—to meet with interested communities in some of the country’s most remote and stunning locations. 

From Haimabulu and Paeni in East Guadalcanal to Russell Islands and Small Ngella Island in Central Province, the mission aimed to establish formal partnerships through Community Agreements—laying the foundation for project roll-out under SOMACORE. 

New partnerships were established with three Community Agreements signed and a fourth undergoing further community discussion before finalization, marking a milestone moment for the project and the communities.  

“It has finally dawned on us that we were part of the problem without even realising it,” shared a Tavulea elder during the meeting at Rigapeel Lodge in Small Ngella. “We harvested unsustainably, and now we’re seeing the impacts. This partnership is our way of making things right.” 

For a woman in Paeni, the agreement marked something even more meaningful: 

“This partnership is important because it’s about safeguarding our resources not just for us—but for our children, our youths, and the generations to come.” 

Deepening Trust, Strengthening Partnerships 

WWF Solomon Islands’ Central Seascape Project Officer, Miriam Sulu, described the trip as more than just a logistical feat—it was a journey of shared learning. 

“This trip showed us just how wide the knowledge gap still is in some areas, but also how eager people are to learn and take action,” she said. “There’s a real hunger from communities to work with us, and that motivates us even more.” 

Miriam added that the presence of fisheries officers from both the national and provincial governments reinforced WWF’s commitment to working alongside government to build long-term, sustainable solutions. 

“Partnerships with communities are essential—but so are partnerships with government. Collaboration is the backbone of any lasting conservation effort.” 

A Government-Community-NGO Alliance 

The trip was also a significant step forward for WWF’s partnership with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR). Principal Fisheries Officer Michael Laumani Jnr, who joined the field mission, said the signing of agreements was a strong signal of shared ownership and commitment. 

“These agreements are more than just signatures—they’re a sign of community interest, effort, and their decision to take control of their marine resources,” he said. 
“It also reflects the strong partnership between MFMR and WWF-SI and shows the government’s commitment to working with NGOs to support communities.” 

Looking Ahead 

Key topics discussed during community meetings included the importance of sustainable fisheries, the integration of savings clubs into local programs, and the identification of community facilitators to serve as the bridge between communities and WWF. 

As the SOMACORE project takes its next steps in the Solomon Islands, one thing is clear: the desire for change is coming from the ground up. 

These are communities that have lived by the sea for generations. Now, they’re stepping up to protect it—not just for themselves, but for the generations they may never meet. 

-Ends-