Assessing Leadership Structure and Governance Effectiveness in Tiaro Locally Managed Marine Area, Solomon Islands

Abstract

Coral reef ecosystems in the Solomon Islands provide essential ecological and economic services, yet are increasingly threatened by overfishing, land-based pollution, and governance weaknesses. The Tiaro Locally-Managed Marine Area in West Guadalcanal has experienced ecological decline and social fragmentation, raising concerns over the effectiveness of current marine governance structures. This study aimed to assess the condition of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, and to evaluate the structure and effectiveness of leadership and governance in the Tiaro marine area. The research also sought to identify governance improvement priorities based on local knowledge and perceptions. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining ecological surveys of reef and seagrass habitats with participatory governance assessments. Leadership effectiveness was analyzed using Social Network Analysis (SNA) to map relationships among actors, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize key strategies for improvement. The results showed significant variation in coral reef health across locations. Suvatara had high coral cover and low bleaching, whereas Kotatave and Kokomu showed severe degradation linked to sediment runoff and outbreaks of the crown- of-thorns starfish. Herbivorous fish were dominant across all sites, while predatory fish were scarce. Seagrass meadows were present at each site, with one dominant species observed. Leadership networks were found to be fragmented, with poor coordination and limited participation of women in decision-making. Community participants identified the collaborative leadership model as the most suitable for improving governance. Prioritized areas for reform included stakeholder engagement, leadership training, and communication. A key finding of the study is the clear link between inclusive leadership and improved ecological outcomes. The study recommends formalizing co- management systems, building leadership capacity, enhancing gender inclusion, and applying local ecological indicators in adaptive decision-making. The assessment framework developed can be adapted for use in other locally managed marine areas across the Pacific.