Fiji’s Bold Plans for the Future

       Fiji has a goal to protect 30% of its marine areas, which include mangroves, by 2020.  They plan to do so by creating marine protected areas, or MPAs.  This work is highly local but in cooperation with many environmentally focused groups, such as WWF, and the government.   It is effective for reform to be local and traditional, because it is familiar with the natives, making them more inspired and likely to help out. 

       Being backed by the government and environment groups lends financial suport, structure, and guidance.  This project was started by the Fijian government in January 2005 in reaction to NBSAP recommendations, and once it is completed it will be the largest marine network!  

       They are doing so with a network of “tabus,” a traditional method which simply prohibits fishing on a reef and is protected by the village.  Protecting the reefs is synonymous with protecting the mangroves.  Tabus are complimented by work in education of the marine areas and how people can be sustainable.  

       This project has proven to be successful.  In just 3 years, fish harvesting has tripled and local income has increased by 35%.  Fishing improves in just one year; fish are of better quality and can become larger as the area becomes more fertile.  Furthermore, rare species are making appearances!  This project proves common belief that preservation hurts the economy false, which is important because it gives people even more incentive to be ecologically friendly, especially for investors with big development dreams.  

       So far there are 177 MPAs, and the project is growing.  Other countries have even recognized its success and have adopted similar projects.  Fiji is moving in the right direction.  This project is successful not only in its results but in establishing cooperation and activism between the people, the government, and outside groups.  

Works Cited:

"Microdocs: The Marine Protected Area." Microdocs: The Marine Protected Area. Stanford University, n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://www.stanford.edu/group/microdocs/marineprotect.html>.

Mills M, Jupiter S, Adams V, Ban N, Pressey B (2011) Can management actions within the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area Network serve to meet Fiji's national goal to protect 30% of inshore marine areas by 2020? Wildlife Conservation Society and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Suva, Fiji, 16 pp.

Picture Citation:

http://awsassets.panda.org/img/coralreef_fiji_105788_349597.jpg