The lives of the people who live on the 2,700 islands of the Pacifica re closely intertwined with the ocean. In this vast ocean area of 30.6 million square kilometers, Pacific Islanders continue to depend heavily on the marine life in the coastal waters for food and income. Much of the culture of the islands – its way of life, traditional beliefs and recreation -is linked to the coastal areas. Coastal areas, however, are facing many challenges. Population growth and the need for cash income have led to overexploitation of fish and shellfish resources. The lagoons, coral reefs, and shores are being threatened by pollution, siltation, and the construction of coastal infrastructure facilities. Moreover, the government agencies of most of the islands are not structured in a way that would enable them to carry out the integrated efforts that may be needed to deal effectively with the threats to coastal resources. In 1998-99, the World Bank sponsored a survey of coastal communities in five Pacific Island countries- Fiji, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga. The purpose of the study was to strengthen the understanding, among the region’s coastal managers of the factors that contribute to the successful management of coastal resources. The study was based on a six- months survey of 31 coastal communities. The study sought to address the following questions: What are the factors external to the communities that are most likely to affect coastal resource management? What are the site-specific characteristics that influence management success? Which management processes are most conducive to successful coastal resources management? Also surveyed were the perceptions of community groups regarding coastal resource trends, the need for external assistance, the relevance of national legislation to the communities, the effectiveness of partnerships between communities and external organizations, and lessons learned from marine sanctuaries and income substitution policies. Given the uncertainties that still surround these complex issues, the study’s conclusions are presented as key lessons learned and the recommendations are kept as specific as possible.