Fiji - Coral Reef Rescue Project - Overview

4,550 km²Total reef system

330+ islands500+ islets & cays

2,000+Fish species recorded

74%Of Fiji's corals in Great Sea Reef

FJD 12–16MGSR annual economic value

Fiji's coral reef system spans approximately 4,550 km², surrounding over 330 islands. Key focal areas in Fiji include the Great Sea Reef Seascape, Vait-I-Ra Seascape, and Somosomo Strait. The Great Sea Reef, spanning a significant terrestrial and coastal marine area, is a priority for conservation.

Watch this short video highlighting the beauty of Fiji's coral reefs and how conservation is working to support local communities to protect their local reefs.

Coral Reef Rescue Team - Fiji

Focal National Government Ministry Ministry of Environment and Climate Change

National Technical Facilitator Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Paul van Nimwegen WCS Fiji Country Director	Neomai Ravitu WCS Marine Manager
Neelam Bhan WCS CRR Project Coordinator	Joelle Albert Marine Technical Advisor

Fiji - Key Focal Areas

Fiji's three Biodiversity Conservation Units (BCUs) were identified as project priorities through a stakeholder process involving government, traditional leaders, community representatives, NGOs and the private sector. Within each BCU, specific provinces have been prioritised for conservation action.

BCU 51 Great Sea Reef (GSR) Seascape — Northeast Fiji

The Great Sea Reef (Cakaulevu) is the third longest barrier reef in the world, running along the north coast of Vanua Levu. Its watershed covers 28,181 km² of terrestrial and coastal marine area, home to a population of 359,589 — over 40% of Fiji's total population.

A 2004 scientific expedition found the GSR contains approximately 55% of Fiji's coral reef fish, at least 44% of its known endemic coral reef fish, 74% of its corals, and 40% of all marine flora known from the Fiji Islands. The GSR supplies over 75% of inshore fish to Fiji's urban markets and contributes FJD 12–16 million annually to the economy.

There are at least 12 species on the IUCN Red List present in the GSR, including the humphead wrasse, four grouper species, three shark species, two ray species (including the reef manta ray), the spinner dolphin and the endangered green turtle.

Ramsar site designated January 2018 · An area of 1.34 km² of fishing grounds within the GSR was designated — the second Ramsar site in Fiji and the first to include coral reefs. The broader Qoliqoli Cokovata marine area encompasses 1,345 km².

Priority provinces within the GSR Seascape

Ba Province

2,634 km² land area
~250,000 population (largest in GSR region)
8,989 km² marine waters (14 qoliqoli)
176 km² coral cover
107 km² mangroves
58 km² seagrass beds

Yasawa Islands tourism Hammerhead shark nursery (Ba Estuary)

Macuata Province

2,004 km² land area (~40% of Vanua Levu)
~66,000 population
2,038 km² marine waters (7 qoliqoli)
25 km double barrier reef (NE of Labasa)
1,345 km² Qoliqoli Cokovata marine area

Qoliqoli Cokovata Ramsar site Offshore barrier reef Mangrove reef islands

BCU 51 Vatu-i-Ra Seascape — Central Fiji

The Vatu-i-Ra Seascape covers over 27,000 km² of coastal lands and seas in central Fiji. It hosts networks of community-managed marine areas, including Namena — Fiji's largest no-take marine reserve where fishing is prohibited. The seascape supports exceptional marine biodiversity and is a world-class diving destination with an estimated annual value of USD 35 million from tourism and fisheries combined.

Priority province within the Vatu-i-Ra Seascape

Ra Province

27,000+ km² seascape area · 300+ reef-building coral species · 1,000+ fish species · 12 plant species unique to the area · USD 35M annual tourism & fisheries value

Namena no-take marine reserve Endangered bumphead parrotfish Endangered humphead wrasse Reef & deep-water sharks World-class diving destination

Latest Coral Reef Rescue News Updates from Fiji

Coral Reef Rescue Project - Free Courses and Tools

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

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.

Reports and Publications

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