Current Situation
FSM harbors remarkable marine biodiversity. Pohnpei and Kosrae have high-biodiversity coral reef systems. Chuuk Lagoon, a famous diving destination, is known for WWII shipwrecks that have become artificial reefs supporting abundant marine life. Whale sharks and manta rays are encountered in FSM waters. Sea turtle nesting occurs on beaches across all four states. Yap is internationally known for its resident manta ray populationāmantas aggregate around Yap's Mil Channel year-round, fed by nutrient-rich currents. Yap Divers and other operators have developed responsible manta ray interaction protocols, and the economic value of living manta rays for ecotourism has been documented as exceeding that of fishing. Traditional relationships with nature in FSM are governed by traditional resource management systems (including bechiyal in Yap, which regulate fishing in traditional areas). These systems can provide welfare-compatible management of marine resources when functioning well. However, traditional systems have been disrupted by social change, and some areas have seen overfishing. Livestock welfare in FSM is typical of small Pacific islandsāpigs, poultry, and dogs kept in subsistence systems with limited veterinary care. Dog welfare is a public health concern across FSM's island communities. Invasive species management on FSM islands raises welfare considerations. The brown tree snake, devastating to bird life in Guam, has been kept from establishing in FSM through vigilant port inspection, protecting endemic birds without the welfare costs of broad-scale predator eradication programs.
Key Welfare Issues
Small Pacific Island nations face shared animal welfare challenges ā limited veterinary capacity, traditional practices, climate vulnerability, and marine biodiversity conservation. Regional cooperation through SPREP and Pacific regional bodies helps address these shared challenges with limited national resources.
Pathways Forward
Progress requires regional cooperation, investment in veterinary capacity, community engagement, and integration of traditional ecological knowledge with modern welfare science. Climate change adaptation planning must include animal welfare dimensions to ensure resilience of both human and animal communities.
Further Reading
Resources from SPREP, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and Pacific Island conservation organizations provide guidance for practitioners working in the region.