Livelihoods in the outer Cook Islands (Pa Enua) are closely tied to the natural environment and fisheries resources are the most important source of food security and income. The effects of climate change on temperatures, rainfall, weather extremes, sea level, lagoon salinity, reef sedimentation and ocean acidification is exacerbating the difficulties experienced by island residents in the harvesting of marine resources.

Given the geographical range of the Cook Islands, from 8°-24 °S, the monitoring of the country’s marine resources is extremely challenging. The project will build the capacity of the Ministry of Marine Resources to strengthen remote monitoring sites, and in particular the Aitutaki Marine Research Centre, such that it becomes more independent from Rarotonga and has sufficient technical capacity to operate on its own. The project will also expand the marine monitoring programme to Aitutaki and target resources that are harvested by Aitutaki residents.

Focusing on the people living in Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro, the project will adopt a participatory and inclusive approach that addresses the vulnerabilities and the rights of all residents. Skills in climate resilience will be enhanced, particularly for island council members and community leaders.

Traditional knowledge plays an important role in the culture of the Cook Islands and especially in the management and use of terrestrial and marine resources in the Pa Enua. The project will work with young Cook Islanders in the southern group of the Pa Enua to adopt a hands-on approach to environmental conservation that incorporates traditional knowledge and builds climate resilience.

Cook Islands is one of the four countries where the full methodology for accessing the impact of completed climate change adaptation projects is being tested.