Community Centred Conservation - Fiji and South Pacific Islands Programme

Our Programme Themes in Fiji are based on the local conservation needs in the Macuata Province, in the North of Fiji.

These projects (2010-2015) have been formulated with the long-term objective of developing effective resource management strategies.

Kia

Fisherwoman

1. VOICES OF THE PAST Understanding and recording traditional environmental knowledge (TEK)

• Working closely with the community in conducting TEK surveys about the socio-economic, taxonomic ecology and cultural importance of keystone species and fishing grounds.

• Documenting and publishing research findings

2. EXPLORING THE GREAT SEA REEF An important site for marine conservation, being a vital spawning site for economically- important and critically endangered species.

• Collecting data on keystone species of cultural,, socio-economic and ecological importance and marrying these with TEK.

• Engaging resource users in identifying threats to these resources and how these threats can be minimized using contemporary science and TEK

3. ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS Developing suitable alternative sources of income to sustain livelihoods.

• Conducting socio-economic surveys to determine suitable alternative income-generating schemes for communities

• Maximizing returns by Identifying suitable target markets and assisting the community members in initial set up

4. REEF RANGERS Educating youth about conservation

• School visits and interacting with the children using fun activities to raise environmental awareness and understanding of conservation related activities

• Developing activities to include as a part of lessons in the classrooms and training teachers to administer these

The Great Sea Reef stretches to an area of over 77 000 squares miles (the largest in Fiji and the third largest in the world) and features high coral cover and diverse marine fauna-many of which are endemic. The breaks in the Great Sea Reef are important spawning sites for local fisheries as well as commercial fish species. The islands around the Great Sea Reef are typified by a dry arid climate resulting in vegetation dominated by grassland, savannah, shrub forests and very little green vegetation.

Fishing is the primary income-generating activity and the leading source of income. The people of some islands also function as traditional fishers for the Tui Macuata (Chief of Macuata province) and are obliged to fulfill this cultural role at traditional ceremonies and functions. In light of the high demand and consequent strain on their marine resources, management strategies have been developed in the region in recent years such as the Great Sea Reef conservation site under the umbrella of the Macuata conservation network- Siga Damu a Vanua (an old Fijian war cry).

However, while most efforts have been focused on scientific surveys and increasing capacity amongst locals to monitor their resources/fishing grounds, there has been little done to understand and record the socio-economic, taxonomic and cultural importance of their resources from the local perspective which could provide more effective management tools for the successful conservation of not only keystone species but whole trophic systems. Little has been done locally on bridging the gap between indigenous knowledge and modern science. Additionally with the proposed extension of the current marine protected area (MPA), suitable alternative sources of income need to be developed to sustain livelihoods and maintain community commitment to the MPA.

Please read our 2011 Programme Brief to find out about some of the activities we will be conducting with the community of Kia on the Great Sea Reef in 2011.