ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the main threats and pressures faced by Pacific Island wetlands and formulates tentative arguments for how to address the risks. It describes what a wetland is, why they are important, and the types of wetlands found throughout the Pacific. The chapter also describes the current governance approaches to wetland management from an international, regional and domestic perspective. A general lack of attention to wetlands in legislative and policy instruments seems evident, and, accordingly, there seems to have been a failure to integrate wetlands into planning and strategic frameworks relating to land use. The chapter provides recommendations for how Pacific wetland law and governance might be improved, including recognising the need for further research and collaborative work in this regard. Arguments are developed for closer integration with international and regional frameworks, the development of national plans and policies, and enlisting customary landholders and local stakeholders in ‘on the ground’ restorative and conservation measures.
