Melanesia and Polynesia have seen an impressive increase in the number of marine protected areas over the last decade almost entirely due to the implementation or recognition of Community Conserved Areas based on regional assets in the form of traditional tenure and governance mechanisms. CCAs account for over 500 sites covering over 12,000 km2 of which more than 1,000 km2 is no-take. The wide spread proliferation of CCAs seems set to define the site based agenda for marine conservation in the South Pacific. The purpose of this study is to deepen the understanding of the CCA phenomenon with respect to the Melanesia and Polynesia regional context thereby contributing to strengthening and enhancing the appreciation of the phenomenon throughout the world. The major concern is because governments are slowly gearing up to increasing support for these sorts of approach and in many ways the very success of phenomenon poses its biggest threat. Large investments and institutionalization of CCAs may undermine their sustainability by decreasing their self reliance or even introducing dependencies such as incentives or external policing. The study puts forward a number of recommendations including Tenure and traditional governance, Characterize and defend local and cultural approaches, Careful scrutiny of international definitions and concepts for regional relevance, Improve and enhance participatory processes, Integrated island management as the goal, Enabling environment, Enhancing the role of government, Multi-sector integration in practice, Cost effectiveness, Research needs, Strengthen and adapt national and sub-national policy and institutional frameworks, Avoid raising unrealistic expectations. CCAs are being revitalized in the South Pacific in a unique global phenomenon and one of the untapped riches of the Pacific has begun to show its true potential; villages, communities, tribes, clans and districts are planning, implementing and enforcing management at the local level based on customary tenure. The challenge for policy-makers, scientists, government and non government institutions is to move beyond the emphasis on protected areas in isolation and support and promote this de-centralized Island way as a vital foundation in a truly regional approach to Integrated Island Management that can address the pressing issues associated with sustaining the region’s biodiversity and livelihoods.