ForewordBased on its philosophy of ‘coexistence between mankind and the ocean’ the Ocean Policy ResearchFoundation (OPRF) seeks to address a broad range of ocean problems from a global and comprehensive perspective. We foster interdisciplinary cooperation and build networks among social and natural scientists,work to achieve a balance between ocean use and the need to conserve the marine environment, and carryout a variety of research on the new order taking shape on the oceans.Since 2005, one focus of OPRF’s activities has been to address the problems of the maintenance andrevitalisation of Okinotorishima, the southernmost island of the Japanese archipelago, from a technical aswell as a legal viewpoint. One of the lessons learned from the process is that we should not treat the issuesolely as a domestic one, but invite the consideration of the Pacific Island states, Australia, New Zealand andinternational society at large and carry out joint research in the search for solutions.As a result, on January 22-23, 2009, OPRF, with the cooperation of ANCORS and SOPAC, held the‘International Symposium on Islands and Oceans’ in Tokyo, so as to share and discuss issues related toconservation, revitalisation and management of islands and surrounding ocean areas. Eighteen experts, bothnational and international, from various social and natural scientific disciplines gathered and madeinformative presentations on their current research in order to exchange knowledge and opinions on thedevelopment of ocean governance.We are happy to have publish the proceedings from the ‘International Symposium on Islands and Oceans’.They include the collection of all the papers presented by the invited experts as well as general informationon the symposium. Each paper has insightful perspectives and unique arguments, and are written in a waythat enables interdisciplinary discussion, which, we believe, leads to integrated and sustainable approachesfor ocean governance. It is OPRF’s pleasure to announce that these proceedings will serve as the basis forour future research on islands and oceans and demonstrate the beginning of our future internationalcollaboration.Ocean Policy Research FoundationAcknowledgementThe International Symposium on Islands and Oceans was made possible by the generous support of TheNippon Foundation from the proceeds of motorboat racing. We would like to express our sincere gratitudefor this support and also acknowledge the Foundation’s concern for an understanding of marine and landenvironmental issues and the life of people living on islands.Brief OverviewSymposiumInternational Symposium on Islands and OceansDateJanuary 22-23, 2009VenueNippon Foundation Building (Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan)LanguageEnglish-Japanese simultaneous interpretationThemeThe “International Symposium of Islands and Oceans” was held to discuss issues on 1) Island conservationand revival initiatives, 2) islands and the problem of sea level rise due to climate change and 3) managementof islands and surrounding ocean areas.HostOcean Policy Research FoundationCo-OrganizersAustralian National Centre for Ocean Resources & Security(ANCORS, University of Wollongong)Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC)ProgrammeJanuary 22, 2009Day 19:30 Opening9:30-9:40 Opening AddressMr. Masahiro AKIYAMA, Chairman, OPRF9:40-10:25 Keynote SpeechMr. Hiroshi TERASHIMA, Executive Director, OPRFRemarks by Co-organizersProf. Martin TSAMENYI, Director, ANCORSDr. Arthur WEBB, Manager - Ocean and Islands Programme, SOPAC10:25-10:40 Coffee BreakSession IIsland Conservation and Revival InitiativesThis session will discuss technical efforts to protect islands exposed to the elements from natural threats andto facilitate revitalization. In particular, it reviews island preservation, maintenance and revitalization effortssuch as bank protection against shore erosion as well as new technologies on island creation using corals andforaminifers.Chair: Prof. Makoto OMORI (Akajima Marine Science Laboratory)Presentations10:40-11:00 Prof. Richard KENCHINGTON (ANCORS)“Maintaining coastal and lagoonal ecosystems and productivity”11:00-11:20 Prof. Hajime KAYANNE (University of Tokyo)“Eco-technological management of atoll islands against sea level rise”11:20-11:40 Prof. Paul KENCH (University of Auckland)“Understanding Small Island Environmental Processes: A Basis to Underpin IslandManagement”11:40-12:00 Dr. Arthur WEBB (SOPAC)“Atoll shoreline dynamics”12:00-12:20 Prof. Kazuhiko FUJITA (University of the Ryukyus)“Enhancing foraminiferal sand productivity for the maintenance ofreef islands”12:20-13:00 Discussion13:00-14:00 Lunch BreakSession IIIslands and the Problem of Sea Level Rise due to Climate ChangeIn the present century, islands which are dependent on the sea are faced with various problemsaccompanying climate change, such as the increasing intensity of natural disasters, sea level rise, landsubmersion land, drinking-water shortage, and impacts of salinization on agriculture. These problems werenot in the minds of the drafters of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This session willreview these issues posed by climate change and discuss ways and means for adapting to it and mitigating itseffects, including legal matters.Chair: Dr. Arthur WEBB (SOPAC) and Prof. Moritaka HAYASHI (OPRF)Presentations14:00-14:20 Prof. Toshio YAMAGATA (University of Tokyo)“Scientific Aspects of Sea Level Rise in the Central Tropical Pacific”14:20-14:40 Prof. Joeli VEITAYAKI (University of the South Pacific)“Pacific Islands and the Problems of Sea Level Rise Due to ClimateChange”14:40-15:00 Dr. Clive SCHOFIELD (ANCORS)“Against a Rising Tide in the South Pacific: Options to SecureMaritime Jurisdictional Claims in the Face of Sea Level Rise”15:00-15:20 Prof. Moritaka HAYASHI (OPRF)“Sea Level Rise and the Law of the Sea: Legal and Policy Options”15:20-16:00 Discussion17:30 19:00 ReceptionJanuary 23, 2009Day 2Session IIIManagement of Islands and Surrounding Ocean AreasUNCLOS recognizes the rights of coastal states over the marine resources in their EEZs, while alsoassigning to them the responsibility for the protection and preservation of the marine environment. Therefore,the management of marine areas surrounding islands should be conducted in an integrated way, includingfrom the perspective of marine conservation. This session will consider related issues and discuss the futuredevelopment of ocean governance.Chair: Prof. Martin TSAMENYI (ANCORS)Presentations9:30-9:50 Prof. Rosemary RAYFUSE (University of New South Wales)“Whither Tuvalu? Oceans Governance and Disappearing States”9:50-10:10 Prof. Yasuhiko KAGAMI (Tottori University of Environmental Studies)“Environmental Policy for Desert Islands: Beyond “Island or Rock?””10:10-10:30 Mr. Quentin HANICH (ANCORS)“Implementing Oceans Governance - Regional Solutions to NationalChallenges”10:30-10:40 Coffee Break10:40-11:00 Prof. Tetsuo YAMAZAKI (Osaka Prefecture University)“Coming Deep-sea Mining and the Environmental Aspects”11:00-11:20 Mr. Hiroshi TERASHIMA (OPRF)“The Need for a Comprehensive Study on the Problems of Islands andManagement of their Surrounding Waters”11:20-12:00 Discussion12:00-13:30 Lunch BreakPlenary DiscussionConservation, Revival, and Management of Islands and Surrounding Ocean AreaChair: Prof. Tadao KURIBAYASHI (OPRF)Expert opinions13:30-14:00 Prof. Makoto OMORI (Akajima Marine Science Laboratory)“Conservation, revival, and Management of Islands and SurroundingOcean Area: Public enlightenment and coral culture from eggs”Prof. Martin TSAMENYI (ANCORS)“Conservation and Management of Islands and Surrounding Oceans:The need to Re-think Capacity Building Approaches and Initiatives in DevelopingIsland States in the Pacific”Prof. Tomohiko FUKUSHIMA (University of Tokyo)“How should the economic value of an island be evaluated?”Discussion14:00-15:30 All presenters and chairs15:30-15:45 Coffee Break15:45-16:00 Summary16:00 Closing Remarks16:15 AdjournContentsForewordBrief OverviewProceedingsSession I: Island Conservation and Revival InitiativesRichard Kenchington··················································································································1“Maintaining coastal and lagoonal ecosystems and productivity”Hajime Kayanne·······················································································································12“Eco-Technological Management of Atoll Islands against Sea Level Rise”Paul S. Kench ···························································································································22“Understanding Small Island Dynamics: A basis to Underpin Island Management”Arthur Webb·····························································································································33“Coastal Vulnerability & Monitoring in Central Pacific Atolls”Kazuhiko Fujita························································································································39“Enhancing foraminiferal sand productivity for the maintenance of reef islands”Session II: Islands and the Problem of Sea Level Rise due to Climate ChangeToshio Yamagata ······················································································································48“Scientific Aspects of Sea Level Rise in the Central Tropical Pacific”Joeli Veitayaki ··························································································································55“Pacific Islands and the Problems of Sea Level Rise Due to Climate Change”Clive Schofield·························································································································70“Against a Rising Tide: Ambulatory Baselines and Shifting Maritime Limitsin the Face of Sea Level Rise”Moritaka Hayashi ·····················································································································78“Sea Level Rise and the law of the Sea: Legal and Policy Options”Session III: Management of Islands and Surrounding Ocean AreasRosemary Rayfuse····················································································································91“W(h)ither Tuvalu? Oceans Governance and Disappearing States”Yasuhiko Kagami ··················································································································· 104“Environmental Policy for Desert Islands – Beyond “Island or Rock”Quentin Hanich ······················································································································ 116“Implementing Oceans Government in the Pacific Islands RegionRegional Solution to National Challenges”Tetsuo Yamazaki····················································································································· 127“Coming Deep-sea Mining and the Environmental Aspects”Hiroshi Terashima ·················································································································· 136“The Need for a Comprehensive Study on the Problems of Islands andManagement of their Surrounding Waters”Expert Opinions on Plenary DiscussionMakoto Omori························································································································ 143“Island Conservation and Revival Initiatives”Tomohiko Fukushima·············································································································146“How should the economic value of an island be evaluated?”Note on Contributors and ParticipantsAdministration & Editorial OfficeMaintaining coastal and lagoonal ecosystems and productivityRichard KenchingtonAbstractThe shallow ecosystems and productivity of mangroves, seagrass beds, coralreefs and inter-reef seabed are critical natural assets for food production, foodsecurity, cultural and recreational activities and livelihoods for many people inPacific Island States. They also provide important ecosystem services inprotection of coasts against storm surges and in production of carbonatesands and debris to nourish beaches and maintain islands. Theseecosystems are easily damaged through reclamation, drainage, pollution anddestruction of critical habitats for fish and other food species. Once destroyed,these ecosystems are not readily or cheaply restored or replaced.The paper discusses issues that should be addressed through an integratedprocess of strategic planning and design to ensure proper consideration ofenvironmental, social and economic impacts in any proposal for islandprotection works.IntroductionGlobal attention was drawn to the threat of sea level rise to low lying islands ina dramatic presentation by the President of the Republic of Maldives to the1992 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janiero. TheMaldives and other low-lying island and atoll states are especially vulnerableto climate change and associated sea-level rise. In many cases (e.g., theBahamas, Kiribati, the Maldives, the Marshall Islands), much of the land areararely exceeds 3-4 m above present mean sea level. Indeed the highest landin the Maldives is 2.4 metres at a point on Wilingili Island in Addu Atoll.(http://zhenghe.tripod.com/m/maldives/index.html).Global attention has been particularly focussed on the issues of loss of landdue to sea level rise and vulnerability of land to increasing frequency andseverity of storms. Low lying islands face the prospect of losing most if not allof their land mass. The situation is particularly critical where the islands arecoral cays formed from the accumulated limestone skeletons of corals,coralline algae and other shallow marine life. It can be similarly critical forsteep-sided rocky islands surrounded by fringing coral reefs and lagoonswhere the reef and lagoonal structure supports and sustains beaches andcoastal land.The maintenance and growth of such islands depends on the health of themarine environment. They exist because of the accumulation of skeletalcarbonate debris produced by calcification in a healthy coral reef community.In a period of stable sea-level, if carbonate production stops or is significantly