Fiji Advances National Action Plan for Coral Reef Conservation

Author: Neelam Bhan

Fiji recently took a major step forward in strengthening national action to safeguard its globally significant coral reefs.

On 18 March 2026, the Fiji Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, together with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Fiji, convened the 4th National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation (NHCRC) Meeting in Suva. The National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation was established as part of the GEF 7 Coral Reef Conservation (CRR) Project that focuses on safeguarding climate-resilient coral reefs in six countries: Fiji, Indonesia, Madagascar, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Tanzania.

The meeting brought together multi-sectoral stakeholders and community representatives to endorse the draft Fiji National Action Plan for Coral Reef Conservation (NAPCRC) (2026–2031) and progress work on a national communication strategy for coral reef conservation.

Fiji's National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation building momentum via inclusive stakeholder engagement

The NAPCRC is built on a "bottom-up" approach, ensuring that the voices of those living along Fiji’s coastlines are heard at the highest levels. Rather than being a top-down mandate, the Action Plan was shaped through direct grassroots engagement, starting with community consultations and moving up through workshops to national-level policy. This process ensures that the resulting strategy is not just a scientific document, but a practical reflection of the traditional knowledge and daily realities of the communities who have served as custodians of these reefs for generations.

Ms. Senimili Baleicakau, Director of Environment at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the importance of the NHCRC as a platform for coordinated and inclusive action.

“Today marks another important milestone in our collective journey to safeguard Fiji’s coral reefs,” she said. “Since the launch of the Hub in June 2024, we have worked together through workshops, technical meetings, and community consultations to shape a national pathway for coral reef conservation.”

Fiji's National Action Plan 

During the meeting, participants reviewed the consolidated draft NAPCRC, which outlines Fiji’s priorities for strengthening coral reef resilience. The Action Plan is aligned with key national policies, including Fiji’s National Climate Change Policy, National Adaptation Plan, and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

A key highlight of the meeting was the integration of marine spatial prioritization into the Action Plan. This science-based approach supports the identification of priority areas for conservation and restoration, helping to guide action where it can deliver the greatest impact for reef resilience and community wellbeing.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to the development of the Fiji National Communication Strategy for Coral Reef Conservation, developed through the GEF 7 CRR project. A draft strategy was presented, outlining how outreach and awareness-raising will support the Plan's implementation. Discussions focused on strengthening coordination and ensuring information reaches schools and communities in ways that are clear, inclusive, and aligned with national priorities.

The meeting concluded with formal endorsement of the draft NAPCRC by NHCRC members, marking a key milestone in Fiji’s ongoing efforts to protect its marine heritage. The endorsement reflects broad alignment across sectors and provides a clear pathway to incorporate final feedback before progressing the National Action Plan for Coral Reef Conservation toward Cabinet submission.

About the project

The Coral Reef Rescue Project is a US$7m initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility to build capacity and solutions that ensure the long-term survival of climate refuge coral reef ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. The project is implemented by the World Wildlife Fund and executed by The University of Queensland in partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society (Fiji, Madagascar, Solomon Islands), Yayasan Reef Check Indonesia, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Philippines and Marine Parks and Reserves Unit, Tanzania.

Free Online Resources for Coral Reef Conservation

Complementing the work in each country, the GEF 7 CRR project has released free online courses on coral reefs. These include Coral Reefs: Introduction to Challenges and Solutions, Coral Reefs: Sustainable Blue Economy, Coral Reefs: Data and Monitoring, 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.