Kosrae Shoreline Management Plan

Kosrae has been severely affected by climate change in recent years. Flooding of land from the sea due to large swell events, high tide flooding, typhoons, and cyclones are common and lead to widespread coastal inundation. Coastal communities, both human and non-human can be protected from storm surges, flooding and sea level rise with managed realignment and the creation of intertidal habitats. The Kosrae shoreline plan acknowledges the importance of those habitats and seeks to protect and improve them. 

The people of Kosrae are at risk from climate change and need to implement strategies for managing coastal hazards. The Government’s plan acknowledges the sad fact that there is no solution, but that adaptation should focus on how to manage the natural environment to support mitigation of coastal hazards. Implementation of managed realignment and caring for intertidal habitats is a simple and very cost-effective way for Kosrae to increase resilience to sea level rise, flooding and storm surge. 

The intertidal habitat is unique in that it supports life both in the ocean and on land. In Kosrae, coastal environments have been damaged and influenced by infrastructure and community building. Ensuring the shoreline as a protected environment, and moving building projects inland as part of managed retreat is a key way that Kosrae will protect itself in the future.