Fiji Coral Reef Conservation Project (FJ1)
Project History
In March 2000, the coral reefs within the Mamanucas Group suffered a sudden and serious 'bleaching event' caused by higher than normal seawater temperatures. Within the space of a few weeks, over 50% of the corals within the Mamanucas Group were affected. At the time, resort managers and dive operators, in consultation with the Government and other stakeholders, contacted CCC to express their concern and seek CCC's assistance with determining the current status of the reefs, threats and possible conservation initiatives.
The three-month pilot project that followed this request set a list of recommendations that involved, but were not necessarily limited to; monitoring, education, setting up a Mamanucas management group, data base acquisition to set up a fully-functional GIS, and setting up multi-user Marine Protected Areas. It was concluded that many of these recommendations could be achieved with a longer-term commitment from CCC. In 2002 a three-year Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Ministry of Tourism and CCC. Subsequently, earlier this year a three year extension to this MOU was signed allowing the continuation of the work until 2008.
Project Objectives
The main aim and objective of CCC's work in the Kadavu Islands of Southern Fiji is the collection, collation and reporting on the coral reef resources of the area. Innovative methods of displaying this data have been developed for the project to allow efficient and understandable dissemination of the information to local communities.
Research Area
Kadavu Island is located approx 100kms south of Suva, the capital of Fiji. It is the fourth largest of the 300+ islands in Fiji. Kadavu is off the beaten track from Fiji's mainstream tourist attractions and is largely undeveloped.
Project Base
CCC's headquarters in Fiji is located on the very remote but beautiful island of Dravuni in the extreme north of Kadavu and within the world-famous Astrolabe Reef. The accommodation is a purpose-built marine research station, kindly provided to us by the University of the South Pacific. The Dravuni Research Station is a beach-fronted, self-contained building complex adjacent to a local village. There is no electricity supply to the base. Water supplies are collected from rainwater runoff and may also be imported locally and due to its scarcity strict usage rules are imposed. Sleeping accommodation (bunk-beds) for up to 30 persons is in shared, dormitory-style, mixed-sex accommodation and there are two composting toilets and shower facilities (one shower per week). A communal kitchen/dining area doubles up as the main living room/lecture room, as does the adjacent veranda area.
From time to time, small 'satellite' sub-groups of the project team may spend short periods living and working at locations away from the main expedition base, the aim being to extend the geographical range of survey work undertaken by the project.
Project Partners and Supporters:
CCC is working in Fiji at the invitation of the Fijian Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry is responsible for policy, programme, research, statistical review and formulation of tourism development planning.
CCC has also developed links and formal MOU partnerships with the Institute of Applied Sciences (University of the South Pacific) and the Department of Fisheries (Ministry of Forestry and Fisheries).
Less formal but no-less important and influential partnerships exist with the Locally Managed Marine Areas (FLMMA), the South Pacific Applied Geosciences Commission (SOPAC), the Integrated Coastal Management Committee and WWF-Pacific.
Additionally, as an outcome of a recommendation made by CCC, a separate entity was established to provide a holistic approach to both management and education initiatives in the Mamanucas. This entity established in March 2003 is the Mamanuca Environment Society (MES). CCC works closely with the MES on its education and awareness raising activities in the Mamanucas.
