Development of a management plan for Yap's sea cucumber fishery

Yap State is one of four states that make up the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM); the others are Pohnpei, Chuuk and Kosrae. Yap is the westernmost island in FSM, located roughly midway between Guam and Palau. Yap’s outer islands stretch eastward for about 1,200 km. Its main islands (also referred to as Yap Proper) consist of Yap, Gagil, Tomil and Rumung (Manoa Mapworks and Sea Grant College Program 1988, see Fig. 1). Yap has 10 municipalities that oversee both Yap Proper and the atolls of Eauripik, Elato, Fais, Faraulep, Gaferut, Ifalik, Lamotrek, Ngulu, Olimarao, Piagailoe (West Fayu), Pikelot, Sorol, Ulithi and Woleai, Satawal, Elato and Faraulap. The total area of Yap’s shallow water reefs and lagoons is less than 120 km2.