Fiji took an important step in safeguarding its globally significant coral reefs.
On 21 June, the Fiji Government through the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society, successfully launched the National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation.
Fiji boasts a wide variety of coral reef systems - including fringing, platform, pinnacles, submerged, barrier, oceanic ribbon, atolls, near-atolls, and drowned reefs. These reefs cover an area of 4,550 km2 and have over 1075 fish species. They are vital for underpinning food security and the country’s economy, particularly through inshore fisheries and tourism. Despite their importance, these ecosystems face considerable threats from climate change, overfishing, and pollution.
Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the urgent need for coordinated and comprehensive action during the launch. "The Hub is a dynamic ecosystem of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing that will guide conservation decisions at all levels," Dr. Michael said. "This initiative represents a collective commitment where science meets tradition, and government agencies collaborate with local communities," he added. The hub will serve as a national coordination and advisory committee consisting of experts, decision-makers, and community representatives.
The Fiji National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation is an outcome of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Coral Reef Rescue (CRR) Project: Resilient Coral Reefs, Resilient Communities. Mr. Paul van Nimwegen, Fiji Country Director at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), highlighted that the project will identify and protect reefs that have shown resilience to climate change:
"Our goal is to ensure these resilient reefs persist as sea temperatures rise, acting as refuges and aiding in the recolonization of coral ecosystems when conditions stabilize. The establishment of the National Hub is central to this mission, providing a forum to prioritize coral reef conservation in Fiji, the Hub will guide the implementation of the action plan and involve community representatives to foster local engagement and stewardship"
The launch event drew a diverse group of stakeholders representing various sectors including local communities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, scientific researchers, and academic institutions. Community representatives shared their vision for the Hub as a tool for empowering local communities, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing, raising awareness, and providing guidance on effective management strategies.
Community representatives expressed their gratitude for having their voices heard. "We're grateful to learn about the Hub," said Ms. Talei Silibaravi, Youth Coordinator from Macuata Province.
"This Hub will provide us with knowledge and help us plan how to use our natural resources, like reef systems. As traditional custodians, we depend heavily on these resources. The Hub will help us make informed decisions and develop action plans," she added.
The words of the communities resonated with many in the room, highlighting the deep connection Fijians have with their natural environment. The call from the communities for inclusive governance that respects and integrates traditional knowledge was clear. Dr. Michael stressed the importance of inclusivity, gender balance, and diverse sector representation in the Hub’s operations. "This Hub is for all of Fiji, bringing together representatives from civil society, academia, the private sector, government, local communities, indigenous groups, and international partners," he added.
The Hub operates under the National Ocean Policy Steering Committee and reports to the National Climate Change Coordination Committee. This alignment integrates the Hub’s activities with Fiji’s national sustainability and climate action goals.
The GEF CRR project is implemented by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF-US), with the University of Queensland (UQ) as the lead execution agency and the WCS as the national technical facilitator in Fiji (in-country lead). The GEF CRR Project contributes to the Global Coral Reef Rescue Initiative (CRRI), a global multistakeholder partnership focused on safeguarding coral reef ecosystems threatened by climate change.
About the project
The GEF 7 Coral Reef Rescue project is a global initiative that is working to safeguard globally significant climate refuge reefs in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Philippines, Madagascar and Tanzania. For more information, please contact Ms. Neelam Bhan, Project Coordinator at nbhan@wcs.org
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