Fiji Overview

Fiji - GEF-7 Coral Reef Rescue Team

Focal National Government Ministry:  Ministry of Environment and Climate Change

National Technical Facilitator:  Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

•  WCS Fiji Country Director: Paul van Nimwegen

•  WCS Marine Manager: Neomai Ravitu

•  WCS CRR Project Coordinator: Neelam Bhan

•  Marine Technical Advisor: Joelle Albert

Fiji - Key Focal Areas 

Fiji's Coral Reefs

Fiji's coral reef system spans approximately 4,550 km², surrounding over 330 islands. The Great Sea Reef (GSR), the third longest reef globally, is home to 40% of Fiji's marine flora and fauna. Coral reefs are vital to Fiji's economy and culture, supporting livelihoods through fisheries and tourism, with the GSR alone generating FJD 12-16 million annually. The GSR and its 28,181 km² watershed are critical for diverse marine life, including species on the IUCN Red List like the humphead wrasse and endangered green turtle.

Key focal areas in Fiji include the GSR Seascape, Vait-I-Ra Seascape, and Somosomo Strait. The GSR, spanning a significant terrestrial and coastal marine area, is a priority for conservation. It supports 55% of Fiji's coral reef fish and 74% of its corals, with 12 species listed on the IUCN Red List. The GSR also supplies over 75% of inshore fish to urban markets, and its traditional owners, along with stakeholders, emphasize its conservation. In 2018, a 1.34 km² area within the GSR was designated as a Ramsar site, highlighting its global ecological importance.

Latest Updates from Fiji 

• Communities Empowered in Northern Fiji through Financial Literacy and Business Governance Workshop 
• Fiji and Solomon Islands Collaborate on Communication Strategy for Coral Reef Rescue
• Fiji hosts inaugural National Hub Meeting for the Conservation of Coral Reefs
• Empowering Communities, Strengthening Reefs: Uniting voices for coral conservation in Fiji
• Fiji's commitment to coral reef conservation 
• Fiji Successfully Launches National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation

New Resources 

The GEF -7 Coral Reef Rescue Project has released free online courses and resources on coral reef conservation. These include;

• Coral Reefs: Introduction to Challenges and Solutions  
• Coral Reefs: Data and Monitoring 
• Coral Reefs: Sustainable Blue Economy
• Coral Reefs: Climate Resilient Communities

Alongside these courses, a new online decision support tool was created Coral Reef Rescue Portal. This brings together over 70 existing coral reef datasets and resources in one easy-to-use, searchable platform.

Relevant Documents

• Strategic Action Programme for International Waters of Pacific Islands 
• Republic of Fiji National Oceans Policy 2020-2030
• Status and trends of coral reefs and associated coastal habitats in Fiji's Great Sea Reef , Andradi-Brown D.A, et al. 2022

*Note: more detailed information about Fiji's involvement in the Coral Reef Rescue Project is located in the Project Document