SITE INFORMATION
Site Description
FIJI:
Fiji lies in the heart of the Pacific Ocean midway between the
Equator and the South Pole and between longitudes 1740 East
and 1780 West of Greenwich and latitudes 12 o S and 22o
South. 'Fiji's Exclusive Economic Zone contains approximately
330 islands of which about a - third are inhabited. This covers
about a 1.3 million sq.km of the South Pacific Ocean. Fiji's total
Land area is 18,333 sq.km. There are two major islands - Viti
Levu which is 10,429 sq.km and Vanua Levu 5,556 sq.km. Other
main islands are Taveuni 470 sq.km, Kadavu 411 sq.km, Gau
140 sq.km, Koro 140 sq.km. Indigenous Fijians own 87.9% of the
land while 3.9% is State Land. Freehold land comprises of 7.9%
and Rotuman land is 0.3%
The capital is Suva and it is one of the two cities in Fiji. The
other is Lautoka City and both are located on the island of Viti
Levu.
(Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics (Fiji facts and Figures)
2008: 3,4) &
http://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/Publication/Reports.htm
Fiji has 14 provinces and out of these 14 provinces, 12 are
members of the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area Network
(FLMMA). There are three provinces that have been very
successful in the setting up of the Yaubula Management
Support Teams (YMST) in their provinces which is a step
forward that FLMMA is looking to decentralization its projects
and efforts from the main city towards the project sites.
These 3 provinces are Kadavu, Macuata and Cakaudrove.
The focus for Kadavu for this Campaign will not be as focused
as will be done in Macuata and Cakaudrove. The campaign
focus for Kadavu is more awareness campaigns and media
awareness where as for both sites in Macuata and Cakaudrove,
there will be focused conversations done and surveys
conducted with the communities and “poachers” identified
from the main centres and from the nearby communities within
the two sites.
(www.googleearth.com)
Cakaudrove and Macuata are both located on the second
largest island in Fiji, Vanua Levu.CAKAUDROVE:
� 1/14 provinces in Fiji; 1/3 of Vanualevu
� 15 districts
� land area 2,816 km2; population 49, 339 (2007 Census)
� ~133 villages mostly coastal
� Urban center – Savusavu Hidden Paradise
� ~35 nai qoliqoli
� Diverse land mass
� Rich in flora and fauna
� Potential tourism development sites
� Few community based MPA’s
(Meo.S.2008)
MACUATA:
 (Upper Macuata Area)
Nadogo : 3 coastal villages and 4 inland , population is 900,
Customary Fishing Right Areas (CFRA)1 are Vanua Nadogo and
Sawana. Main sources of income are fishing, farming and copra.
1
CFRA: Customary Fishing Right Areas: The right to fish in waters is termed as fishing rights that are communally owned by a yavusa which
consist of many mataqali. The fishing area is called qoliqoli. Fishing rights mean a great deal to the Fijians both traditionally and
economically.The boundaries are defined with reference to proximity to its settlement. (Singh. A: 1997)
Namuka: 8 coastal and 3 inland villages, population is 700, CFRA
is Vanua Namuka and Dogotuki , Main sources of income are
Fishing, Farming and Copra.
Dogotuki: 5 coastal and 4 inland, population is 600 , CRFA is
Vanua Namuka and Dogotuki. Main sources of income are
fishing, farming and copra.
Udu: 5 coastal villages, population is 590, CFRA is Vanua Udu
and Macuata-i-wai. Main sources of income are fishing, farming
and copra.
(Fong, S: 2008)
Macuata 1 (WWF SITE).
Source: WWF Fiji Country Program
Macuata (WWF SITE)
Macuata: 17 sites/LMMA’s , 46 villages , Size of LMMA’s =
1,580.97 sq km² , Size of MPA = 40.7 sq.km²Population (Census
2008) = 72,441
The districts of Dreketi, Macuata, Mali and Sasa, in the
province of Macuata on Vanua Levu, the 2nd largest island in
Fiji, contains 37 of the poorest coastal communities, where
livelihoods are virtually entirely dependent on fishing and
subsistence farming.
MACUATA (IAS SITE)
(Source: Fong,S:IAS)
(Source: Tokalauvere,L: IAS)
Site History
Cakaudrove: ( Meo, S: 2008)
There were a lot of events that led up to the beginning of the
Cakaudrove Yaubula Management Support Team (CYMST) and
Cakaudrove Conservation Initiatives.
In 1998, Resort Support2 initiated and worked at setting up the
Waitabu Marine Park in Bouma, Taveuni. Last year, 2008
marked their 10 years of working within their site at Waitabu.
2
Resort Support established in 1998 to fill a need within the tourism industry for outsourced expertise in management marketing and development in the
context of small medium tourism properties in Fiji. Marine Ecology is the sister company which is now the leading company in Fiji for Marine Assessments and
Guest Interpretation and education programs in major resorts around Fiji. Resort Support is a partner of the FLMMA Network and has been very active in
Waitabu, Taveuni.
In 2001, there was an escalating interest in tourism on the
island of Taveuni and within the province of Cakaudrove itself
with the set up of the Tourism Resource Owners Association
(TROA).
The set-up of the first MPA was in 2002 was in the District of
Saqani in the village of Naboutini with a follow up of a
Management Planning Workshop in 2004 for the district of
Nasavusavu, Navatu, Naweni and Nukubalavu.In April of the
same year, CYMST concept was presented to and endorsed by
the Cakaudrove Provincial Council.
A means to integrate these initiatives and develop a learning
framework for resource conservation in Cakaudrove is one of
the driving forces behind the creation and establishment of the
CYMST. There was full endorsement and support by Cakaudrove
Provincial Council in Somosomo, Taveuni in April, 2005.
A conceptual model of CYMST is to:
 Assist communities to manage the Yaubula
 Managing traditional knowledge and scientific
knowledge
 Voluntary facilitators (potential for school leavers)
CYMST is made up of members from government departments,
non-government organizations and private institutions like from
the University of the South Pacific (USP) that are based in
Savusavu.
Roles and responsibilities of the CYMST are:
 Ensure rehabilitation of I qoliqoli status, enhancing
livelihood and sources of income.




Ensure a safe place to raise family-food security.
Restore pride for Cakaudrove
Awareness and education workshop
Facilitate development and implementation of
Community Management Plan.
 Identify common resource threat sand management
issue.
Achievements: CYMST has completed Resource Management
Plans for 7 districts in Cakaudrove. Established 25 Marine
Protected Areas and 2 forest reserves. Have confirmed
structural framework and communication.
Some of the lessons learned by CYMST are:
 Cautious approach in setting up support team can be
site specific.
 Anticipation and pride for local involvement
 Management of action planning is a sensible basis for
development
 Adaptive management is easily adopted
 CYMST fosters change in Government services
machinery.
 Alternative income and other project need critical
thinking with linkages and its impact to address the
issues. Business plan and operational guidelines. Money
can be the root of fragmentation.
 Wealth of information on traditional knowledge and
documentation
 Wear and tear principles prevalent,
Macuata: (Fong: S: 2008)
The LMMA project covers all 32 villages in the districts of Udu,
Dogotuki, Namuka and Nadogo. Collaborative conservation
work by the Macuata Provincial Office, Fisheries and Forestry
Departments in Labasa, IAS and the local community.
LMMA started work in the Namuka and Dogotuki I qoliqoli
in 2004. WWF started work in the same year with the Districts
of Mali, Sasa, Macuata and Dreketi. In 2005, the remaining
districts along the Macuata coast of (Udu and Nadogo) made
requests through the Tikina (District) meetings. In 2006,
through the communication between the Macuata Provincial
Office(MPO) and the Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS), the idea
of extending and consolidating the LMMA work in Namuka and
Dogotuki (where we incorporate the Provincial set up of YMST)
concept, but this has yet to be modified to suit the project
region settings. In 2007, the concept was presented to the MPO
and 3 recommendations were endorsed . They were:
 Approval of the Council for the MPO to co-ordinate the
project.
 Incorporate existing conservation work in the province
of Macuata into the project especially those in the 4
Districts covered by the project.
Some of the achievements noted are:
 Management action plan workshops for the 4 districts.
 Development of village based action plans.
 Establishment of a network of 15 marine reserves, 2
forest reserves and 3 river/watershed system reserves.
 Reviving some initiatives no longer practiced-district
competitions.
There has also been a formation of a core project team,
establishment of district support team-already follow up in each
village collaboration between the different institutions
involved.
Some of the lessons learned over the 4 years of the project:
(i)
Proper planning with clear objectives is critical prior
to establishment of this concept.
(ii)
Project ownership by the community-locals in the
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
district support team and core project team.
Implementation of action plan need frequent
visitation.
Continuous capacity building for sustainable
initiatives.
Partnership and collaborative still proves to work.
What else needs to be done?
 Capacity building in areas critical to the success and
sustainability of the initiative (e.g: village governance,
waste management, financial management)
 Development of awareness materials, especially
posters.
 Funding of the 4 districts support team
 Funding of some management action activities, e.g:
seedlings, construction of incinerator.
 Alternative livelihood development.
WWF Site: (Socio-Economic Baseline Report: 2006)
In December 2003, WWF organized the Fiji Islands
Marine Ecoregion Priority Setting for Conservation
Workshop where global, regional and national marine
hot spots for conservation were identified by scientists
and local experts on marine biodiversity.
Accordingly given the biomass, diversity and
endemism of marine species in the marine
environment, the stretch of reefs and mangrove islands
on the northeastern part of Vanua Levu were identified
as globally significant.
The Great Sea Reef covers approximately
202,700square kilometers. The total land area of the
project site is approximately 110,300 ha , or 1103
square kilometers.
In November 2004 the traditional leaders and chiefs of
the 37 villages of the districts of Mali, Dreketi, Sasa
and Macuata collectively voiced their concerns about
the increasing environmental issues threatening the
existence and extent of marine and terrestrial
biodiversity resources in a community workshop
facilitated by members of Fiji Locally Managed Marine
Areas (FLMMA), representatives of partner organization
and communities, of which WWF Fiji Country
Programme is a member.
The main problems identified by participants were
over-fishing and the degradation of fishing areas which
resulted in reduced fish catches.
Many contributing factors to the two problems were
identified, which included illegal fishing (fishing without
licence), use of small mesh nets (driftnets), destructive
fishing practices (use of plant poisons, gas &
compressor), use of gear such as scuba diving in night
and day fishing and motorized boats enabling harvests
in large quantities of fish at one time and more
frequently.
In addition, siltation from inappropriate landuse
practices and from exposed surfaces induced by
burning, industrial discharges into rivers and
waterways from commercial entities and sand mining
in the qoliqoli reef areas.
A number of actions were recommended to address
these factors towards reducing the problems.
This included the setting aside of ten (10) marine areas
as community based marine protected areas. It is
intended that these areas will act as breeding areas to
restock the wider qoliqoli in due time.
In total these widely dispersed areas cover 82square
kilometres. Three (3) were identified following district
level planning meetings in June 2005.
Biodiversity Summary
Macuata:( WWF site) & IAS site
The Fiji Islands Marine Ecoregion (FIME) is of particular
biological significance in global terms because of the extent and
remoteness of its shallow tropical marine habitats. Created by
the tectonic convergence of several oceanic plates, the uplifted
shallow platform is surrounded on all sides by deep, oceanic
conditions, making it a likely significant repository for medium
to high levels of marine diversity and endemism. Fiji’s reefs
have had relatively few scientific c assessments but early
investigations indicate high levels of cryptic speciation.
Recently, WWF-Fiji lead an expedition to assess the biological
diversity of the Great Sea Reef to the north of Vanua Levu,
known locally as Cakaulevu, which was identified as an area of
global
biodiversity importance during the biological visioning
workshop. In addition, a biological survey of the Kubulau coast
of Bua by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) was
completed in 2005, generating further information. Further
research is likely to reveal a much greater level of biodiversity
complexity than previously
recognized. Tropical marine biodiversity levels drop away
steeply to the east of Fiji, which again indicates that within the
Western Pacifi c, the reefs of Fiji are an important repository of
biodiversity in a region characterised by isolated oceanic
islands and atolls.
(Nair, V:2003)
The Fiji Islands also offers an enormous wealth of coral reef
habitat, covering an estimated
10,020 square kilometers of the Fiji archipelago, and
representing 9.0 % of the coral reefs
of the Pacific and 3.5 % of the total area of coral reefs in the
world.
While some of the reefs within the country have been studied
extensively in terms of their
ecology and biodiversity, the vast proportion remains poorly
known. Species numbers for
coral reef biota are high. Currently, at least 298 species of
scleractinian coral have been
recorded along with 475 species of mollusc and some 60
species of ascidian. A total of
1,208 species of fish have been recorded within Fiji, the
majority of these are associated
with coral reefs. Algal flora is also reasonably well documented
with 448 species known.
6 major habitat types: outer barrier reefs, back barrier reefs,
channels, mangrove island fringing reefs, rocky island fringing
reef and submerged patch reefs.
• The diversity of marine biota on the Great Sea Reef and its
associated habitats was revealed to
be of high importance on a global, regional, national and local
scale. This survey alone
documented the reef to have approximately 55% of the known
coral reef fish in Fiji (with a
predicted actual value of 80%), 74% of the known corals found
in Fiji and in total 40% of all the
known marine flora and fauna in the Fiji Islands. In addition, 117
species of sponges, 31 species
of coelenterate and 12 species of ascidian were collected. The
number of species recorded where highest of any other reef
area surveyed in Fiji.
• Populations of at least 12 species listed on the 2004 IUCN
Redlist of threatened species were
observed including 10 species of fish, the IUCN endangered
green turtle (Chelonia midas) and
the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris).
• The survey also revealed populations of the nationally
endangered bumpheaded parrotfish
(Bolbometopom muricatum), previously presumed locally
extirpated; one new fish species
(Pomacentrus sp.); and one presumed new record (Chromis
opercularis) only previously known
in the Indian Ocean. 44% of the known endemic reef fish in Fiji
were observed.
• Within the hard corals, 43 new records were documented for
Fiji. Of these, two were new genera
and three were believed to be geographic range extensions,
Echinomorphanishihirai (Veron, 1990) and Turbinaria
heronensis (Wells,1958).
• Sixteen species were found to be new additions to the flora of
the Fiji Archipelago. Two possible
new species, Ceramium sp. and Crouania sp., were also
recorded.
• Habitats of primary importance to the diversity and
abundance of marine biota of conservation
significance were generally found to be the outer barrier reefs,
channels and mangrove island
fringing reefs. Increasing levels of intactness were recorded
with distance from population
centres, land based siltation, pollution and extractive activities.
• Unusual distant offshore mangrove island fringing reef
habitats were found to be of surprisingly
high diversity and productivity. These highly dynamic, tidally
influenced systems are considered
to be "keystone habitats " of crucial importance to maintaining
the ecological integrity of the entire
coastline.
• The most damaged sites in terms of siltation and trash were
observed to be in the general vicinity
of the Labasa Township.
• Overall, commercially important fish were found in very low
numbers and small sizes. Fish
important for local subsistence were found in higher numbers,
but this varied greatly from site to
site. Fishing pressure, as indicated by discarded fishing lines,
was greatest around the vicinity of
Labasa.
(Fiji’s Great Sea Reef Survey:2007)
Cakaudrove:
Cakaudrove as one of the three provinces on the island of
Vanua Levu, little is known and recorded about the overall
status of biodiversity in this province. There are a number of
sites within Cakaudrove that have been identified as rich
ecosystem sites due to a species richness/diversity and
richness, habitats,
This group encompassed the zone in transition from being
strictly marine to terrestrial and includes coastal littoral
vegetation, small offshore islands, soft sedimentary shoreline
habitats, coastal substrate, brackish water habitats, mangroves,
lagoons, coastal lakes, inland pools, sand dunes, breeding
grounds for important species such as crabs, sea snakes, birds,
turtles and freshwater fish species.
The areas mentioned below in Cakaudrove were identified in
this zone mainly for their uniqueness, endemism and
representation of habitats, species and processes.
On the island of Taveuni, this is a volcanic island with lowland
and montane rainforests in the centre the east of the island, in
which a lake, mountain stream and other freshwater
habitats are located. The islands has a rocky coastlines and
scattered fringing reefs. Taveuni has representative and
unique mangrove assemblages. (pg 19)
Qaloqalo salt lake, Natewa
Bay, Lat: 16.460S Long: 179.310E, Approximate land area: 150
ha, Estimated population density: 16/ km2
Description of area:
The salt lake is located on a narrow
isthmus south of Natewa Bay; rich
in marine species. The lake has tidal
flushing and is surrounded by a wide
band of mangrove forest. (pg:21)
Approximate land area: unknown
Etimated population density : 48.21 / km2
Description of area:
The Buca and Nala River systems are
amongst the most pristine and intact
sites identified, notable for their high
amphidromous fi sh species (at least 6
species) and high levels of endemism (pg: 21)
Naweni
Approximate land area: 2816 km2
Estimated population density: 4 / km2
Description of area:
Two saltwater limestone pools fringed
with mangroves, hosting endemic red
prawns. (pg: 23)
It is estimated that there are around one thousand coral reefs
in Fiji. Reef sizes vary from less than 50 m to 370 km long. The
diversity of reef types include patch, fringing, barrier, platform,
oceanic, ribbon, drowned, atolls and near-atolls. The most
common reef types are fringing reefs and barrier reefs.
The reefs are historically healthy but are currently under threat
from environmental stressors such as bleaching, pollution,
physical damage from unsustainable fishing practices and
unsustainable harvesting for the aquarium trade.
Based on existing information, the
Group the following sites in Cakaudrove to be an outstanding or
priority areas for coral reefs.
Estimated reef area: unknown
Known reef state: Moderate
Information status: Low
Type of information: physical
features, soft corals (pg: 25)
Namena/Savusavu
Estimated reef area: unknown
Known reef state: Healthy
Information status: Moderate
Type of information: physical and
oceanic conditions, taxa biodiversity(pg: 26)
Cakaudrove was also identified as one of the 27 sites as a
priority for coral reef fish by. These are reef areas with high
abundance, richness, endemism and diversity of reef fish.
Natewa/ Vuna
Description of area: reef walls and promontories are found
around this limestone island
Known status of fish abundance
and diversity: low
State of knowledge on fish
aggregation: low, but includes
sightings of hammerhead sharks,
Sphyrna leweni (pg: 31)
Somosomo Strait between
Taveuni and Vanua Levu
Description of area: the channel lies on the east to southwest
axis and is prone to cyclones during October-March.
Known status of fish abundance
and diversity: low
State of knowledge on fish aggregation: low (shark population)
(pg: 35)
The inshore environment provides important feeding and
breeding habitats. It is usually an area of high conservation,
cultural, medicinal and economic importance.
Inshore habitats include mudflats and soft bottom sedimentary
environments, seaweed (algae), seagrass. Species associated
with the inshore environment include white cowries (Cypreaea
spp), emperor fish (Lethrinus spp.), kanace (mullet)
(Mugilidae), nuqa (rabbitfi sh) (Siganids), seahorses
(Syngnathidae), silver biddy (gerridae), ponyfish, seasnakes
(Laticauda spp.), turtles species, seabirds, Venus
clams (Cyclena sinensis), fi ddler crabs (Uca vocans); mud crabs
(also known as mangrove crabs) (Scylla serrata, qari in Fijian),
mud lobsters (Thalassina anomala, mana in Fijian), sting rays
(Himantura spp.), eels (Order anguilliformes), polychaete
Marine Tenure ( i qoliqoli system) Ownership
worms, small fi sh (detritus feeders), goatfish (Mullidae),
pufferfish (Tetradontidae) and hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna
leweni). Thirteen significant areas were identified as being
representative, unique or areas that provide the feeding and
breeding grounds for species of cultural, economic or
conservation value. Cakaudrove also being one of the sites,
specifically Natewa bay. (pg: 36)
Marine tenure in Fiji is, in the majority of cases,
well defined and registered. Customary understandings
on marine resource use allow for accesto and ownership of
fishing grounds and rights to
all foreshore and shore areas up to the outer reef
(kanakana and I qoliqoli). Kanakana is the subsistence
fishing area, which usually refers to the immediate
shore area adjacent to a village and includes all
mangroves, mudflats, sandflats, lagoons and reefs.
I qoliqoli refers to the total fishing area, including
the areas beyond the kanakana.
Legal access allows customary owners proprietary
fishing rights over their I qoliqoli while the state has
ownership rights of waters up to the high-water
mark. Thus, there exists dual ownership and understanding
of resource use. Customary owners in both
instances still have significant rights over their
coastal areas, so that any marine resource management
initiative must involve the community. This
dual ownership is at times a source of conflict and
concern for customary owners. There are 410 I
qoliqoli areas in Fiji, more than 200 of which have
been surveyed and registered by the Native Lands
and Fisheries Commission. Most of those that have
not been registered are rivers and creeks.
Ownership or user rights of I qoliqoli areas are at a
higher level than the yavusa or vanua (land).
Therefore the liuliu ni yavusa, or chief of a yavusa
has ownership rights. Unlike land tenure in Fiji,
which is mataqali or clan owned, demarcation of
specific I qoliqoli areas has always been disputed. In
many cases the communal ownership of the I
qoliqoli is complex. Sometimes the paramount chief
who has the I qoliqoli ownership can sign fishing
licenses or make agreements with coral harvesters
or other outside investors, for example, without
the knowledge of the several villages and districts
under his or her jurisdiction.
In addition to the complexity surrounding ownership
and user rights, there is also a dual administrative
or control system for the people. The
government administrative system and the traditional
system both come into play when working
with people in communities. This is important
because any work in communities still uses both
systems. In the village for example there is a village
headman who is the administrative head or
village headman.
The headman may have no high traditional positions.
The village traditional head or liuliu ni yavusa is
different from the village headman or turaga ni koro.
The village headman then liases or works with the
traditional leaders in projects. Their roles are mostly
administrative and they are contact persons for government
or other external contacts or developments.
A review of the Fijian Affairs Board is currently
being undertaken. The question is whether the
restructure will take into account the aspirations of
all Fijians, including urban-based Fijians. This is
important for many resource owners with decisionmaking powers now reside away from their
communities. Thus, there remains a sort of remote
control over resources and the people using them.
People living away from home may also have very
different views of how resources should be used,
developed or managed as they have different
lifestyles and aspirations. The models above depict
a simple process that people should be able to
work with, but in some situations, elders or leaders
in communities have migrated to urban areas and
there is a new leadership at the community level.
The challenge, therefore, is how the restructuring
of the Fijian Affairs Board will take into account
these changes, and how best they plan communities’
future direction and linkages to the modern
administration.(Vunisea, A, 2002: pg7-8)
Main Livelihoods and Income
The people of Macuata and Bua provinces in Vanua Levu have
traditional fishing rights over the Great Sea Reef (GSR_Macuata)
and associated marine systems and continue to depend heavily
on the functioning and biological diversity of these systems for
their subsistence and commercial livelihoods.
The following data was accumulated through the SocioEconomic Survey conducted by WWF of the Tikina Dreketi,Mali,
Sasa,Macuata and this section will focus on the household
economics and main sources of income within the 4 Districts.
“The purpose of this study, household economics
specifically refers to household income generation and
spending patterns, material wealth and housing. This
information provides a baseline for monitoring the
economic trends over time associated with the set-up
of marine reserves and management of qoliqoli in the
targeted Macuata community.
In view of the fact that most rural households do not
have or keep proper records of income and have a
tendency to recall based on recent occurrences;
households were asked total income per month and
trends over the year to guarantee accuracy in figures.
Many households earned an income at varying
intervals over a year based on seasonality, social,
economic and environmental factors, the mean and
standard error of the mean were then used as basis of
analysis.”
The following are just 4 examples of income generating activites
and the frequency of number of households listed as their main
source of income: Farming-242, Fishing-234, Copra – 41, Sale of
handicrafts – 13.
Given the lack of income generation options of
sampled coastal and terrestrial communities, the
majority of the households depend entirely on the
environment for sustenance and livelihood with fishing
and agriculture being the major economic activities.
Agriculture was recorded as the most widespread
economic activity among populace with 35% of the
households listing sugarcane, cash crops, kava, rice
and forestry as their main sources of income, followed
by fishing (33%) and paid employment (13%).
Seventy five percent (75%) of households derived
income from the extraction of natural resources.
Households earning from outside sources in the forms
of remittances and social welfare accounted for
earnings in 5.5% of sample households while income
generated from other sources including land leases,
casual work and timber logging payment was included
in 1.9% of households.
The reliance on natural resources is further
emphasized when examining the economic returns of
each earning activity.
The least important source of income noted from
sample were payments from Social-Welfare, returns
from land lease and small business.
Incomes sourced from these activities are often
additional to main income sources (fishing, farming or paid
employment)
(WWF, 2006:17-19)
Climate
Fiji enjoys a tropical South Sea maritime climate without great
extremes of heat or cold. The islands lie in area which 'is
occasionally traversed by tropical cyclones, and mostly confined
between the months of November to April every year.
Temperatures average 22 degrees Celsius for the cooler months
[May to October] while November to April temperatures are
higher with heavy down pours.
Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics (Fiji facts and Figures)
2008: 3,4) &
http://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/Publication/Reports.htm
The island of Vanua Levu has a moderate, tropical climate with
a distinct wet season, generally recognized as the cyclone
season, between November and April. Fiji experiences about 10
to 15 cyclones per decade, two to four of which cause severe
damage including extensive wind damage, flooding, storm
surges and occasional
landslides (Chandra & Mason, 1998). Rainfall is highly variable,
even in the wet season, and is predominantly influenced by the
prevailing southeast trade winds and local topography. The
mountains of Vanua Levu create a wetter zone on the
windward side and a drier rain shadow on the leeward side.
Annual rainfall averages
1.78 to 2.03 cm on the leeward side and 2.92 to 3.18 cm on the
windward side, with weak seasonality. Long-term averages of
annual rainfall for the Macuata area (as recorded since 19772000) are in the range of 2.2 to 2.5 cm. Temperatures range
from 19.8 oC to 30.6 oC (Fiji Meteorological Office). The
average yearly temperature is
about 25oC with a slightly lower average on the windward side
and higher average on the leeward side. The humidity is usually
high, ranging from 75 to 80 %.
(http://www.met.gov.fj/climatefiji.html)
Demography
Fiji as of the last census in 2007 has seen a dramatic increase in
her major races and the overall population has increased from
775, 077 in 1996 to 837, 271 ion 2007. The two major races in
Fiji had all contrasting differences. Fijians increased from
393,575 ion 1996 to 475,739 in 2007. Indians actually
decreased from 338,818 in 1996 to 313,798 in 2007.
The Incidence of Poverty (%) using differentiated values for the
Basic Needs Poverty Line (BNPL), which is the monetary value of
the minimum cost of living. For Fiji it was 35%, Cakaudrove was
51% and Macuata was 50%.
Total live birth increased from 18,394 in 2006 and 19,298 in
2007. Infant mortality rate (per 1000 live births) decreased from
19.50 in 2006 to 18.40 to 2007.
Average Household Income and Expenditure Survey shows that
the Fijians are 12,972 followed by Indians at 11,902 and others
at 19,105
Cakaudrove:
Cakaudrove has 134 villages, there are 14 districts.
Total population count for Cakaudrove Province = 49,339.
Fijians make up 35,967, Indians make up 7,927 and Others are
5,445.
Macuata:
Macuata Total Population: 72, 441 with Fijians = 28,193, Indians
= 42, 554 and Others = 1,694
WWF sites (4 districts): Population = 4056
IAS site (4 districts): Population = 1037
Conservation Values
Fiji has an extensive and diverse range of marine habitats
including, estuaries, mangroves,
wetlands, sea grass, macroalgal assemblages, protected and
exposed soft shores, lagoons, sand
dunes and coral reefs. Fiji falls within the top 10 countries or
geographical locations with globally
significant coral systems and hosts the world’s third longest
barrier reef system.
Some of the impressive biodiversity includes; fish, crabs,
lobsters prawns, sharks, sea snakes,
giant clams, turtles (green, hawksbill, leatherback, and olive
ridley turtles - all of which are listed
under CITES), endemic sea birds such as the Fiji petrel, and over
a dozen migratory shorebirds
that use Fiji’s mudflats for feeding. Even though there is low
endemism within Fiji, important
marine habitats provide essential migratory routes and
breeding grounds for many endangered
species such as whales, turtles, tuna, humphead wrasse and the
world's largest parrotfish, the
bumphead parrotfish, Bolbometapon muricatum, is also found
here. The Ecoregion (which comprises Fiji’s EEZ) is also part of
the world’s richest fishing ground for tuna, contributing to
about 15% of Tuna catches in the region.(pg: 4)
The marine biodiversity and conservation status of the marine
systems within the GSR3 are very poorly understood and are
becoming increasingly threatened by burgeoning human
populations,
associated industrial and coastal development, and the rising
international and local demand for tropical reef products. The
lagoon side of the GSR is an extensive and complex system of
submerged and emergent coral reefs, mangrove and rocky
islands, seagrass beds and other marine ecosystems. These
systems provide substantial fisheries resources and important
the geophysical functions of shoreline stabilization and
prevention of wave damage. The coastal and island mangroves
also act as sediment and pollutant filters for these coastal
areas, and provide essential nursery areas for various organisms
that inhabit the near shore marine systems.
The province’s resources need to be managed to support
natural processes, maintain biological diversity, and protect
natural features. The resources offer opportunities for food
security, wilderness recreation, environmental education, and
research. Agriculture, forestry, tourism and other resourcebased industries are economically important and depend on a
3
GSR: Great Sea Reef
sustained supply of natural resources. In addition to providing
societal benefits, the natural environment has significant
intrinsic value
Known threats
Economic Activities
Fiji’s economy is highly dependent on the exploitation of marine
resources. With a growing
population and rising poverty, the acute need for better
economic growth has led to the pursuit of
large-scale economic development activities at the national
level that may potentially place these
resources under greater pressure
Mining:
Mining activities often have enormous negative impacts on
coastal areas through siltation and
polluted runoff . There is considerable interest in the mineral
resources of Fiji, and currently mining companies are active in
many areas , including Namosi, Wainivesi, Qalimare, and areas
inVanua Levu( Mineral Resources Department 2002). There is
further interest from mining developers in prospects for
expanding activities in Fiji, and many other areas are under
mining tenements, and the Fijian government appears to be
supportive of this trend.
Agriculture
There are a number of agricultural activities that have a
negative impact on coastal areas, with
associated problems of increased soil erosion leading to high
levels of sedimentation. Many streams and rivers and coral
habitats are experiencing siltation from terrestrial run-off.
Increasing incidences of runoff are a direct consequence of
farming practices used during the
production of sugar cane, ginger, pineapples and pine seedlings,
with a large number of
farming areas being based in or near coastal areas This problem
is magnified by the fact that these activities have been
extended to marginal land due to lack of arable
land. Specific areas that have been severely affected have been
documented in a number of
places in Viti Levu and Kadavu.
Tourism and its associated developments:
Problems associated with the tourism industry include coastal
over-development, anchor
damage and the reclamation of mangrove areas for resort
developments. For example, the
development of a marina complex in Nadi Bay involving the
dredging of a harbour and the
use of soil for land reclamation resulted in the smothering of
seagrass habitats adjacent the site is a key sector of interest in
Fiji’s overall development, and the current National Strategic
Plan (2002-2004) has a focus
on developing the tourism industry into a billion dollar industry
by 2007.
Some of the targets include; over 448,000 visitors by 2004, new
3 to 5star hotels completed by 2005 and the establishment of
Nadi Bay and the Mamanucas as a Pilot
Tourism Development Area by 2005. General and tourism
related development activities such as
land reclamation, coastal infrastructure development, channel
blasting, dredging and coral
sand mining (e.g. from beaches, lagoons) are likely to have
profound effects on the physical
environment. Hotels and other developments come with
associated environmental problems
such as waste disposal and pollution . Expansions at the scale
proposed for the tourist industry without the appropriate
environmental planning could pose significant threats
to marine habitats.
Aquaculture developments
Aquaculture developments have the potential to take pressure
off wild stocks, but activities can
often mask the over-harvesting of wild stocks and come with
range of environmental problems,
especially with regards to the pollution of marine areas.
Direct exploitation of marine resources and poor management
practices
Coral harvesting:
The export of coral from Fiji began in 1984. The extraction of
coral reef products
such as hard and soft corals for the marine aquarium and curio
trades in Fiji has attracted
international attention and concern due to the perceived largescale increase in trade in these
products. There is now legislation to regulate the harvest and
trade in accordance with the
provisions of CITES, and it is government policy that all industry
members be certified by the
Marine Aquarium Council (MAC). There is currently a
moratorium on new companies entering
the trade, and presently there are only 6 companies operating
in Fiji. The ability of the Department of Fisheries to monitor the
extraction of coral
and other aquarium products is limited by low capacity and
financial resources.
Over-exploitation of coral reef resources for commercial
purposes
The over-harvesting of specific reef species for lucrative niche
markets poses a serious threat to
persistence of these resources. Examples include the harvesting
of beche-de-mer, trochus and
giant clams for the curio and aquarium industries, and fish for
the aquarium and live food fish
industries. The unwavering demand for Beche-de-mer from
East-Asian markets continues to fuel
unsustainable extraction rates in Fiji. Problems with the acute
over-harvesting of giant clams have
already been recognised, and the export of wild giant clams
from Fiji is now prohibited.
However, there is a general lack of understanding surrounding
the level of regulatory control
needed to deal with this issue, and the challenge is to come up
with timely and appropriate
responses. In other countries, compressors used for harvesting
beche-de-mer have been reported
as also being used in the harvest of other coral reef resources.
Thus activities surrounding the
pursuit of key species may have more far reaching effects,
increasing harvesting pressures on
other, non-target species.
Unsustainable and destructive fishing practices
Subsistence fishing is of great importance to the livelihoods of
the people of Fiji, with estimations
of as much as 17,000 tonnes of subsistence catch being
removed from reef systems annual. With increasing
populations, subsistence activities are beginning to
strain marine resource capacities, and it is noted that the
abundance of fin-fish species is declining
in coastal areas near highly populated towns and centres.
(Declines in mullet, stout chub mackerel
and trevally species have all been noted by fisher).
Although legislation bans the use of explosives and poisons (e.g.
traditional poisons such as
derris roots and modern poisons such as herbicides and
pesticides) for fishing, these practices are
still prevalent and widespread in Fiji. Such fishing methods are
non selective, and
can wipe out entire communities of marine organisms, having
detrimental effects on reef systems.
The introduction of apparatus such as SCUBA gear has
increased the effectiveness of fishing
efforts, and thus the intensity of pressure on marine resources,
and shellfish species have been
particularly affected by this trend .
Environmental and ecological threats
Land-based pollution
With most development and economic activity occurring in
coastal areas, associated
environmental problems can have far-reaching and profound
impacts on the coastal environment.
Studies conducted on the coastal waters of Viti Levu have found
areas where nitrate levels exceed
those deemed safe for corals (Mosley and Aalbersberg, 2001).
Sources of pollution include
sewage, mining, industrial discharges, litter and refuse disposal,
fertiliser, pesticide and urban
run-off, siltation from agricultural practices, and logging and
clearing of riparian vegetation.
Sources of pollution include major food and chemical industries,
rubbish dumps, mining and
agricultural activities and improper waste management in
residential and tourist developments
(Vuki et al., 2000). The pollution affecting the Suva harbour area
has been well documented, and
poor disposal practices have lead to high levels of nutrients,
chemicals, heavy metals and it is
noted that the levels of tributyl tin are higher than those
documented in the literature for any other
port in the world.
Sea-based pollution
The extent of this threat is unknown, but includes oil spills, toxic
spills and ballast water discharges. The latest being the sinking
of the ship the Ovalau in August 2003, which contained
caustic soda on board.
Climate change
Climate change related impacts are likely to have profound
affects on weather activity and
oceanic conditions that will have huge implications on the
coastal environment. Climate change is
predicted to exacerbate natural variations in Pacific weather
patterns, leading to slight changes in
mean range changes for factors such as rainfall, and result in
extreme weather events of a greater
intensity. These changes in physical and meteorological
processes will translate into
corresponding changes in ecological systems and biodiversity.
Coral reef systems, with their
narrow temperature range tolerance, will be severely affected
by predicted increases in sea
temperatures (IPCC 2001). It is known that the periodic
temperature increases experienced in El
Niño years are responsible for coral bleaching, and it is
accepted that climate change will
exaggerate the temperature extremes elicited by El Niño events
leading to a greater incidence of
coral bleaching. Rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are
thought to adversely affect the
ability of reef organisms to synthesise reef building limestone,
and a decline in calcification rates are predicted. Mangrove
forests, as well as coral reefs, may also be threatened by
predicted rises in sea level. It is recognised that climate change
will have a more pronounced negative effect on
the biodiversity of small islands than in continental areas, and
thus climate change emerges as a
huge challenge for Fiji.
Mass coral bleaching in March-April affected many of Fiji’s
reefs, with the exception of those in
the far north with more than 40% of colonies dead at many
sites. There was also variable
bleaching in 2001 and 2002, except for intense bleaching in
2002 in very shallow areas. Many
affected reefs are making a strong recovery e.g increasing
densities of Acropora recruits at sites
around Suva.
The 2000 mass bleaching event catalysed the first major
GCRMN activity in the region when 6
independent research groups collaborated to assess bleaching
at 19 sites throughout Fiji. Since
1996, the GCRMN has assisted with the seawater temperaturemonitoring programme at the
University of the South Pacific to record temperatures
throughout Fiji. Data on about 100 Fiji
reefs comes from researchers, tourist resorts, and reef based
tourist operations, such as the Fiji
Dive Operators Association, Greenforce and Coral Cay
conservation. A campaign to involve
tourist resorts in monitoring their local reefs was initiated in
2002 at 7 permanent GCRMN and
Reef Check sites around Suva timed in March/April to coincide
with the potential bleaching
season.
Crown-of-thorns starfish
The infestation of reef systems with crown-of-thorns starfish
(Acanthaster planci) is a well documented
phenomenon in Fiji, and A. planci outrbreaks can result in large
areas of reefs being destroyed. The exact reasons behind why
A. planci proliferate in certain areas and not other are
not well understood.
Whippy-Morris and Pratt (1998) noted the following on A.
planci outbreaks:
• In southern Viti Levu (in 1967-70) first documented outbreak
• A second outbreak occurred in l979-83 in Suva, the Coral
Coast and inner Mamanucas.
• A third outbreak occurred in 1986-88 in the Suva area, Beqa
Island reef, Coral Coast,
Naigani Island and other areas.
• A. planci were recently found on the reefs of the Mamanuca
group, which are important
for the tourist industry in this area.
• Anecdotal information collected from fishers in the Suva area
indicate that A. planci were
common from the 1920's to the 1960's. Accounts recalled from
elders indicated that an
intensive outbreak probably occurred before the 1920-30's with
a smaller outbreak in the
1940's.
• On intensively fished reefs in Southern Kadavu, Suva reefs,
Kabara and Lakeba in the
Lau Group,
(Nair, V:2003, 26-31)
Summary of pertinent management strategies
Macuata:
Improved management processes will help to achieve the
following:
- Decentralizing the management of natural resources
- Improved transparency in decision-making and information
sharing
- A holistic approach to increase equitable participation of
stakeholders in decision-making processes from village to
district and national level
- Better enforcement of government policies and laws.
-Stakeholders would be the Provincial Office, District Councils,
Qoliqoli Committees, Resorts, WWF, Fisheries, NLTB, NLFC,
Communities, Police, Chiefs.
Cakaudrove:
Cakaudrove as a province has 7 districts (tikinas). The only other
province that has an endorsed and established Yaubula
Management Support Team (YMST).
The environment is important to Cakaudrove and the
Cakaudrove people recognize the link between healthy
communities and a healthy environment. Maintaining a healthy
environment for current and future generations requires the
collaboration of communities, organizations, businesses, and all
levels of government. Using a balanced, coordinated approach,
we can protect the health, prosperity, and environmental
integrity of our communities.
Summary of legislation and governmental policies
(Erika J. Techera, “Customary law and community based conservation
of marine areas in Fiji” (Paper presented to the Environmental Justice
and Global Citizenship Conference, July 2007)
Constitution (Amendment) Act, 1997
The Constitution does not offer a blanket recognition of
customary law; instead, the Constitution (Amendment) Act 1997
recognizes customary law and traditional rights to terrestrial
land, provided they are not inconsistent with any law or
governing principle of the state. Article 6(b) preserves
ownership of Fijian land according to Fijian custom. Section 38
guarantees that the law applies to every person equally,
however it also exempts certain laws and administrative actions
regarding customary land, and fishing rights from the equality
provision. Section 186 of the Constitution makes provision for
the application of customary laws and for dispute resolution in
accordance with Fijian tradition, but this will depend statute
law (ie. customary laws do not apply automatically and must be
expressly recognized in a piece of national legislation in order to
be recognized by the government).
Native Lands Act, 1978, and Native Land Trust Act, 1985
Under the customary system of land tenure, terrestrial lands
and coastal marine areas are the exclusive property of the
community. Terrestrial lands were traditionally held by the
vanua (district) until 1880, when the Great Council of Chiefs
(GCC) resolved that native lands should be owned communally
by the mataqali (clan). This is different to the ownership system
in place for coastal marine areas, which are the property of the
yavusa (tribe), or in some cases the vanua. The Native Lands Act
was first enacted in 1880 and, following the resolution of the
GCC, duly vested customary lands with the mataqali. The Native
Land Trust Act, provides the legal framework for administering
native lands in Fiji.
Under the customary system of land tenure, terrestrial lands
and coastal marine areas are the exclusive property of the
community. Terrestrial lands were traditionally held by the
vanua (district) until 1880, when the Great Council of Chiefs
(GCC) resolved that native lands should be owned communally
by the mataqali (clan). This is different to the ownership system
in place for coastal marine areas, which are the property of the
yavusa (tribe), or in some cases the vanua.
The Native Lands Act implements Article 6 of the Constituion. It
states that “[n]ative lands shall be held by native Fijians
according to native custom as evidenced by usage and
tradition” and provides for the registration of land. A Native
Land Commission determines the rightful owner of land if there
is a dispute. The Native Land Trust Act (NLTA) provides that
native lands cannot be alienated even by customary owners,
and it vests administrative control of native land in the Native
Land Trust Board (NLTB). So although the Indigenous people
have nominal ownership rights, the control and management of
land is vested in the NLTB for the benefit of the traditional
owners.
Strengths:
Communal ownership of native lands is constitutionally
entrenched and reflected in the statutory framework under the
Native Lands Act and Native Land Trust Act. This is both a
strength and a weakness however, as the national law
recognizes customary ownership in terms of the right to use the
land, and does not recognize full title to the land (see below).
Weaknesses:
Ownership of terrestrial lands and the coastal marine zones is
an unresolved issue at law. While customary owners assert
their ownership interest in their traditional lands, the laws of
Fiji maintain that the government owns the land with only user
rights for indigenous people. Section 19 of the Native Lands Act,
for example, states that all lands left vacant by the
discontinuance of a mataqali landholding unit will revert to the
Crown. Without legal recognition of title to the coastal zones,
indigenous people with customary rights to an area are not
guaranteed the opportunity to make important decisions on
planning and development of their traditional lands.
Fisheries Act, 1991
The Fisheries Act enables limited community involvement in
coastal marine management via provisions that require
community consent over commercial and subsistence fishing in
their customary fishing rights areas (qoliqoli). The law allows for
the involvement of communities in the governance of the
coastal zones and the application of customary laws to regulate
the qoliqoli in some circumstances. The Act also creates the
position of honorary fish wardens, who are community
members appointed to protect the jurisdiction of customary
rights holders in the qoliqoli areas.
Section 13 of the Fisheries Act is the window through which
customary law may be applied to govern the coastal marine
areas. The provision requires commercial and non-commercial
harvesters to obtain a permit from the customary owner of the
qoliqoli, with a few exceptions. Section 13 and Regulation 4 of
the Fisheries Regulations require both commercial and noncommercial harvesters to obtain a permit to fish on any reef or
shellfish bed in a registered qoliqoli, with a few exceptions. For
commercial harvesters, this is a precondition on obtaining a
license to fish in the area. An exception is contained in the Act
for non-commercial harvesters who use a hook and line, spear
or portable fish trap that can be handled by one person.
Strengths:
The licensing and permit system under Section 13 allow
customary owners to exercise jurisdiction over the qoliqoli. Any
fishing by harvesters from outside the community must obtain a
permit from the District Commissioner, which in practice must
be based on the approval of the local chief.
While fishing cannot be completely prohibited by the Fisheries
Act and Regulations, this may be a good thing as it ensures
subsistence indigenous fishing rights in a country where the
main source of protein for rural people is from marine
resources.
Weaknesses:
Under the current Fisheries Act, it is legally impossible to
establish a marine protected area where fishing is strictly
prohibited. While both commercial and subsistence harvesters
need a license or permit to enter a qoliqoli, the exceptions
under the Fisheries Act for certain methods mean that it is
legally impossible for a community to set up a protected area
without ministerial designation. This gap in the law has led to
many complications related to enforcement by the community
of both customary and national fisheries laws. In addition,
though the definition of “fish” under the Fisheries Act is broad,
non-living marine resources seem to be beyond the ambit of
the Act, and so may not benefit from protections under the Act.
National Trust of Fiji Act, 1970
This law establishes the National Trust of Fiji, with an overall
purpose to provide for the sustainability of Fiji’s natural and
cultural heritage. In discharging its mandate the National Trust
is empowered to enter into conservation agreements with
landowners.
Strengths:
The mandate of this statutory body is broad and includes the
protection, preservation and management of any site deemed
significant to Fiji’s natural and cultural heritage.
Weaknesses:
Under the Act, landowners may enter into agreements or
accept covenants to preserve a heritage area, but no role for
landowners in terms of protection or management of these
sites is stipulated under the Act.
Past environmental education work
There have been numerous organizations including
Government Departments that have initiated environmental
education in terms of health, education, agriculture , fisheries in
all forms- workshops, discussions, forums, school visits, drama,
festivals, showcases, Open Days. Not only restricted at the sites
for the Campaign but throughout Fiji. Numerous organizations:
Live and Learn , Ministry of Education, Fiji Red Cross, Ministry of
Health, UNICEF, WHO, UNEP, UNDP just to name a few.
Potential partners
Ministry of Fisheries & Forests (Fisheries Department), World
Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), Wildlife Conservation Society
(WCS), Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS/USP), SEAWEB,
Department of Environment, Department of Tourism, Fijian
Affairs Board, Resort Support, Burebasaga Confedaracy
Community rep., Kubuna Confedaracy Community rep., Tovata
Confedaracy Community rep., National Trust of Fiji, IUCN, CI,
Police Legal Team, Macuata Qoliqoli Committee, CYMST rep,
KYMST rep., commercial fishermen and Wholesalers (Fish
suppliers).
Your organization and your background
LEAD AGENCY:
The Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network is a group
of practitioners involved in various marine conservation
projects around the globe who have joined together to increase
the success of our efforts. The LMMA Network is learning
network, meaning that participating projects use a common
strategy and work together to achieve goals. The Network is
interested in learning under what conditions using an LMMA
strategy works, doesn’t work, and why. Network members
share knowledge, skills, resources and information in order to
collectively learn how to improve marine management activities
and increase conservation impact.
The Network's membership consists largely of conservation
projects that are using (or planning on using) an LMMA
approach, and includes:
Community members
Traditional leaders
Conservation staff
Academics and researchers
Donors
Decision-makers
The FLMMA Network aims to build capacity to implement and
effectively manage an overall LMMA strategy. There are a
number of specific tools (strategies or actions) that can be used
to manage resources and counter threats, including:
• Full Reserve – complete protection of all natural resources
within a defined area. Often called a “sanctuary,” “no-take
zone,” or “fully-protected area.”
• Species-Specific Harvest Refugia – a ban on harvesting one or
more species or individuals of a certain size and/or sex within a
defined area.
• Effort, Gear or Behavioral Restrictions – rules limiting
harvesting effort or particular uses within a defined area. These
can include fishing gear restrictions, fishing effort limitations
(e.g. number of fishers, number of boats, catch quotas, etc.),
type of behavior allowed/disallowed (e.g. recreational diving,
no anchoring), and licensing limitations.
• Seasonal Restrictions – rules limiting what time of year
overall fishing or species-specific harvesting may take place.
These tools may be used in any combination and/or over a
period of time and spatial scales depending on the particular
situation to achieve the best results.
The four major theme areas that FLMMA are targeting are:
Capacity building
Education and awareness campaigns
Monitoring effectiveness of ecological, socio-economic and
governance aspects of LMMAs.
Transfer of new technologies and approaches across the LMMA
network.
The Network's membership consists largely of conservation
projects that are using (or planning on using) an LMMA
approach. A 'member' may consist of one or any combination of
individuals, communities, land-owning groups, traditional
leaders, government representatives, conservation organization
staff, elected decision-makers, university scientists and
researchers, and/or donors working together to achieve specific
goals related to the conservation or sustainable management of
biodiversity, and who are working to implement or enhance an
LMMA strategy at one or more specific sites.
LMMA works closely with: WCS, Conservation International,
WWF, Wetlands International, Birdlife, and other conservation
organizations. Private industry groups and relevant
government departments (Fisheries, Tourism, Environment,
Fijian Affairs). Currently there are 16 member organizations.
CAMPAIGN MANAGER:
Margaret is currently a Fisheries Assistant with the Fisheries
Department and is working in the Research Section as part of
the Survey Team that undertakes biological and socio-economic
baseline surveys for Fiji's 410 fishing grounds.
She is also the FLMMA Secretariat based also at the Fisheries
Department.
She is currently the Co-ordinator of the "International Year of
the Reefs" 2008 Fiji Campaign.
She is a graduate of the University of the South Pacific with a
Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Marine Affairs. She was also
contracted to the Department of Environment as a Research
Assistant for an Economic Analysis of the Rural Waste in the
Province of Rewa from October 2005-October 2006. She also
holds a Open Water Diver Certificates.
She is involved in community workshops addressing the
specifics of Fisheries Act (Legislation) and promoting
sustainable resource management tools. She is also part of the
Communications and Awareness Working Group of FLMMA
Network.
Margaret bring together the following core qualities that will
support her doing an excellent job as Campaign Manager. These
include:
Deep understand of the LMMA network, partners and cultural
traditions in Fiji.
Strong academic background for a Pride Campaign Manager.
Direct communications experience – both locally and in the
region.
Joint support from key government and non-governmental
entities – in particular, FLMMA, Fisheries Department and the
Institute of Applied Sciences.
Bibliography
1. Fiji Facts n Figures: 1st July, 2008. Bureau of
Statistics.www.statsfiji.gov.fj
2. Nair, V: Nov 2003.Fiji islands Marine Ecoregion
Reconnaissance Report. WWF SPPO , Suva , Fiji.pg 15
3. Fong, S: 28th March, 2008. “IAS Macuata YMST Seminar
Presentation.”
4. WWF SPPO.18th May, 2007.”Great Sea Reef Survey.”pgs
7-8
5. Meo, S. 3rd May, 2008. “ IAS CYMST Seminar
Presentation”.
6. Singh, A.1997.”Customary Fishing Rights”.Unpublished
paper.
7. WWF Eco-system based Project.2006.”Socio-Economic
Baseline Survey of Qoliqoli Cokavata Areas-Districts of
Mali,Dreketi, Sasa and Macuata”. WWF SPPO, Suva, Fiji,
pg 4
8. (Erika J. Techera, “Customary law and community based
conservation of marine areas in Fiji” (Paper presented
to the Environmental Justice and Global Citizenship
Conference, July 2007)
9. Fiji Meteorological Office.
(http://www.met.gov.fj/climatefiji.html)
10. Nair, V, 2003. “Setting Priorities for Marine
Conservation in Fiji Islands Marine Ecosystem
(FIME).WWF South Pacific Program.
11. Vunisea, A. 2002. “Community based Marine resources
management in Fiji: The Challenges” IN SPC Women In
Fisheries Bulletin #11.