Community coral reef fishery, Ahus village, Ahus Island, Papua New Guinea

The Ahus village coral reef is located off of the west coast of Manus Island north of Karkar Island and the mainland of Papua New Guinea. Approximately 600 residents live on a small (28 ha), densely populated, low-lying island with few terrestrial resources. A reported 77% of the population depends upon fishing as their primary occupation. The original case authors focus on the socioeconomic factors and context which influence the success of marine protected areas in Papua New Guinea.

The case study has subsequently been used in comparative analyses regarding Ostrom's Design Principles (see bibliography).