Marine life grows in protected areas - Fiji Times Online

Marine life grows in protected areas

VASEMACA RARABICI
Sunday, February 24, 2008

+ Enlarge this image

In Verata Ucunivanua, there is an abundance of kaikoso (clams) in the no-fishing zones leading to increased catches and higher incomes for fishermen

Fiji's commitment to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network covering 30 per cent of the country's in-shore fisheries by 2020 could be realised earlier than expected.

This commitment made in January 2005 by the Government has resulted in more than 200 marine protected areas within Fiji's 410 customary fishing grounds, known as i qoliqoli. That's more than 50 per cent of the total target accomplished within just three years.
Conservationists are excited about the increase in the number of MPA's or fishing grounds that have been declared taboo by traditional owners. And they are targeting for more. Already surveys have shown that fish numbers and other marine resources are increasing in these taboo areas and many have dispersed to other areas, leading to increased catches and improved livelihoods especially amongst coastal communities, which makes up 60 per cent of Fiji's population.
Government's partnership with non-government organisation and the community to protect its marine environment for a sustainable future has challenged other pacific nations to do likewise.
This includes the "Micronesia Challenge" undertaken by Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to protect 30 per cent of near-shore marine resources and 20 per cent of terrestrial resources on their islands by 2020.
More recently Kiribati has become a global conservation leader by establishing the world's largest marine protected area an ocean wilderness of pristine coral reefs and rich fish populations threatened by over-fishing and climate change.
In one of the first studies of its kind, The Nature Conservancy has worked with leading academics on a study that conclusively proves that marine protected areas (MPAs) can help alleviate poverty.
A MPA is an area of ocean or coastal water recognised by both government and society as having specific conservation value.
Measures are put in place to preserve the quality of marine life including restricted access for fishing, diving and other potentially harmful activities.
Governments around the world are wrestling with questions about whether investments in conservation benefit the lives of extremely impoverished people. The "Nature's Investment Bank" study provides new evidence that these investments do bring about measurable economic and quality of life benefits.
Co-authored by Nature Conservancy policy advisor Craig Leisher, Dutch economist Dr Peter van Beukering, and social scientist Dr Lea M. Scherl, this study found restoration of local resources be they fisheries or coral reefs increased fish catch and economic opportunities, improved community health, and directly enhanced the lives of local residents.
"When marine protected areas are developed with government support, scientific data, and are managed primarily by local communities that take pride in the management of their natural resources, significant improvements in quality of life can be seen," said Craig Leisher, co-author of the study.
As a Fijian community leader from Waiqanake Village, outside Suva, Weku Ratumainaceva said: "The marine protected area is like a bank to the people. Opening more branches of the bank in developing countries can contribute to coastal poverty reduction. By conserving marine resources, people will reap higher returns in the future."
The study findings demonstrate that opening more branches of the "bank" in developing countries can contribute to coastal poverty reduction. The study team conducted more than 1100 interviews within poor communities in four countries using rigorous scientific methodology endorsed by several leading environmental economists and social scientists analysed the effect of marine protected areas at four very different sites Navakavu a locally managed marine area outside Suva; Indonesia's Bunaken National Marine Park; a community marine conservation area in the Solomon islands and on Apo Island in the Philippines.
According to Nature Conservancy, the worldwide poverty crisis has risen to the forefront of global issues, and with nearly three billion people around the world living on the equivalent of $US2 a day or less, millions are forced to make decisions that damage their environment in order to feed themselves and their families.
"When poverty increases, fish stocks are depleted. Fishermen are often driven to use destructive methods to catch what little is left, damaging the reefs and fish habitat that produce the food local communities depend upon for survival. With every 5 per cent loss of coral reefs, 250,000-500,000 tons of fish are lost as well, threatening food security for millions," Nature Conservancy said. "This study highlights the importance of protecting these ocean habitats, to both preserve essential marine life and reduce poverty in coastal areas not only in Asia-Pacific but across many impoverished coastal communities around the globe."
Working in partnership with local non-governmental organisations and universities, the researchers talked to over 1100 local people about the changes they had seen in the quality of their life since the creation of the nearby marine protected areas. Across the four sites surveyed, there was clear evidence that poverty had been reduced by several factors:
- Improved fish catches. Fish are now "spilling over" from the no-fishing zones of marine protected areas, leading to increased catches and higher incomes for fishermen at three of the sites.
- New jobs, mostly in tourism. The marine protected areas' greatest boost to household incomes came from new jobs, especially in eco-tourism. In Fiji, tourism has surpassed fishing as the largest source of income.
- Stronger local governance. Involving the community in management and decision-making of the marine protected area gives the community a more united voice and frequently reduced conflict within the communities and with neighbouring communities.
- Benefits to health. Greater fish catches led to greater protein intake and a perceived improvement in children's health in particular.
- Benefits to women. Marine protected areas helped empower women economically and in some cases socially. The development of alternative livelihoods to fishing, such as seaweed farming and basket weaving, provides new income opportunities for women. As a result, they gained a stronger voice in community meetings.
"By focusing on potentially positive examples, we aimed to identify key factors for success that could be replicated elsewhere," explains Craig Leisher, co-author of the report and a senior policy advisor for the Conservancy.
The Conservancy hopes governments will use these study findings to harness the full benefits of marine protected areas to improve the well-being of local people while conserving marine life. The study recommends key strategies for strengthening the creation and management of MPAs that include:
- Committing to financial investment in protected areas, both in the initial set up and in subsequent years.
- Developing a network of smaller, ecologically connected MPA sites, each linked to a community, to increase local access to benefits.
- Empowering local communities in the decision making and management of the marine protected area. "Marine protected areas and local communities need each other. Without the support of the local community, marine protected areas will not succeed," says Leisher.
"Similarly, by preserving marine life, we can help the communities that depend on the bounty of the sea for their survival. We should not artificially separate conservation and poverty reduction in the places where we work they are almost always inextricably linked."
- Ms Rarabici is a Communication Analyst with SeaWeb. SeaWeb is a Communication Company that helps the media, NGO's, policy makers and businesses promote a healthy ocean.


Marine life grows in protected areas - Fiji Times Online

Life beneath the waves - Fiji Times Online

Life beneath the waves

By Ana Niumataiwalu
Thursday, November 13, 2008

+ Enlarge this image

Joseph Donne

MEET Joseph Donne. The man whose life is defined by the treasures of the underwater world.

Having dived to the ocean bed for a couple of years he still looks forward to each day at work like it was his first.
The humble 25-year old dive instructor of Reef Safari out on the South Seas islands in the Mamanuca group says he just loves his job.
But he is quick to declare that his path has not been an easy one, both personally and professionally.
Joe, as he is prefers to be called by everyone, be it the house guests or day trippers on South Seas islands, is no stranger to the oceans.
Now based at South Sea islands in the Mamanucas, originally hails from Plymouth, England.
He grew up in a family who had a history line of sailors, boat builders and marines and everything else to do with the ocean in England.
But he said rather than being above the water he preferred working under water. He is the youngest of three siblings and was educated in Plymouth where the rest of his family currently resides.
"After completing my education in Plymouth I had undertaken some dive instruction courses in England before moving to Australia when I was 18 years old," he said.
"I had also worked at the east and west coast of Thailand.
"I spent about two years there before moving to Fiji. I worked at the Reef Safari Australia and Whitsunday island before moving to Fiji."
Joe moved to Fiji in September last year and has now made the island paradise as he calls it his home.
"I have been in and around the water all the time," he said.
"My family has a line of sailors and even marines but I preferred to be under the water then above it.
"I prefer the tropical reefs because they are much warmer compared to the ones back home."
As a dive instructor at the island Joe looks after the scuba diving, snorkelling, yellow submarine tours. He says it's an interesting job because on the one hand tourists not only come for the sun surf and sea or the friendly locals but also to be educated on the underwater world of Fiji's tourism.
"While they enjoy their stay they also get to learn about our marine life here in Fiji," he said.
"Many are interested to learn about it. Most of them don't realise that there's more to the trips then just the vacation you also get to learn things about the land and sea.
"Here at Reef Safari we do two trips in the morning and in the afternoon on the yellow submarine."

Life beneath the waves - Fiji Times Online

Fiji listed in Top 10 Pacific hotels - Fiji Times Online

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Fiji has scored three places compared to Australia's two and New Zealand's four in a list of top 10 South Pacific hidden hotel gems issued by American travel company trip advisor.

Top place was given to Etu Moana on Aitutaki in the Cook Islands, with Tuscana Motor Lodge of Christchurch third, reports Pacnews.

The Mai Tai Resort of Port Douglas in Far North Queensland was awarded second spot and AtlantisMarcoola at Coolum on the Sunshine Cast was placed seventh.

The top 10 includes: 1. Etu Moana, Cook Islands, 2.Mai Tai Resort, Australia, 3.Tuscana Motor Lodge, New Zealand, 4. Castaway Island, Fiji, 5. Lalati Resort, Fiji, 6 McHardy Lodge, New Zealand ,7.Atlantis Marcoola, Australia, 8. Azur, New Zealand, 9.Nanuya Island, Fiji 10. Maison de la Mer, New Zealand

Fiji listed in Top 10 Pacific hotels - Fiji Times Online

Committee's focus is on endangered species - Fiji Times Online

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Update: 11:06AM LEARN, live with and save our endangered species is the theme for this year's National Environment Week which would be observed from June 2 to June 7.

The Department of Information says this year the National Environment Week committee would focus on Fiji's endangered species and will highlight national priorities in protecting and saving them.

Some of Fiji's endangered and endemic species include: sago palms, long legged warbler, Vokai-Crested Iguana and Taku Hawksbill Turtle.


Committee's focus is on endangered species - Fiji Times Online

The island which played a role when Fiji was ceded to Britain - Fiji Times Online

Sunday, March 30, 2008
GERALDINE PANAPASA, Fiji Times

Four of the youths on Nukulau Island on a WWF dive training program

NO one really knows what is happening to Fiji's Alcatraz - Nukulau. 

At one time, there were talks of turning the historic prison island back to a once-upon-a-time popular picnic spot.

However, many people have limited knowledge about the history of Nukulau Island.
The island was a picnic spot until 2000 when coup plotters were kept there as prisoners.

Nukulau is off the Laucala waterfront and is a 15-minute boat ride from Suva Point.

George Speight, Jo Nata and others will always remember Nukulau for they were imprisoned there as political prisoner Nelson Mandela was on Robben Island.
But while Mandela spent more than two decades on Robben island, Speight and his band were transferred to Naboro prison.

History
Nukulau Island played a role in the ceding of Fiji to Britain in 1874.
The island was owned by the American Consul John Brown Williams in 1846. The funny thing is that Williams had bought the island for a mere 30 dollars. He lived there in a wooden two-storey house he built, for three years.
On July 4, 1849, his store was destroyed in a fire which started from a canon burst during American Independence Day celebrations.

When his store burned, natives looted the few belongings he salvaged.
Six years later, another fire destroyed his house and this time, Williams held Ratu Seru Cakobau, the Vunivalu of Bau and self-proclaimed Tui Viti (King of Fiji) responsible for the looting.

With the support of the United States Navy, Williams demanded Cakobau pay $US43,531 in compensation for his losses which were valued at $US5000 plus claims by other settlers.

Cakobau's inability to pay the debt led to a series of negotiations with the United Kingdom resulting in the decision to cede the Fiji Islands to the UK in 1874. Historians believe the debt was deeply exaggerated and largely fabricated. The history of Nukulau did no tend with the commencement of British colonial rule. Between 1879 and 1916, the island served as a quarantine centre for thousands of Indian indentured labourers brought in by the British. They were either employed in Fiji's sugar plantations or sent back to India after health checks.

Prison
A prison was opened on the island on July 21, 2000, two months after a coup.
The prison was home for coup frontman Speight and former journalist Josefa Nata.

On December 18, 2006, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama decided to close the prison and convert the island to a public park.

The island prison was decommissioned because of the excessive costs of maintenance such as the provision of two boats provided by the Prisons department costing about $160,000 in 2001. Commodore Bainimarama had said the Prisons department had to stretch its resources to cater for extra fuel and maintenance of the boats. The total cost of operating the boats alone came to $100,000 a year.

Present and future
The decommissioning of Nukulau prison paved the way for possible tourism openings.

The Suva City Council has expressed interest in securing a lease from the landowners to transform Nukulau to a cruise destination. The possible introduction of a ferry service between the island and Suva harbour would boost tourism in the capital.

The acting assistant director for the Lands department, Laisa Raratabu, said the island was a picnic spot again.

She said if people wanted to enjoy a day on the island, they have to apply to the department.

"The fee is $2 a person. There are rules people need to follow. The money from the fees or charges is revenue for the Government," said Ms Raratabu.
The divisional surveyor Central/ Eastern, Peni Racava, said the fees helped to maintain the island. There is a caretaker on the island.

"There have been a lot of interest shown by individuals and shipping businesses. From what we gather from tourist agencies, many tourists want to visit the island.

"Locals go there for a picnic and it is open from 7am to 5pm. Tourists are charged $5 a head. People wanting to visit the island should write to management stating the reason for going to the island. They have to find their own way to the island and back."

There are several thatched bure on the island and cooking places.
The barbed wires, prison dormitories, fencing and all indications to suggest the island was a prison have been removed.

Now, Nukulau is a hideaway for picnickers or divers wanting to explore the coral reef.

Managing and maintaining our coral reefs
Fiji's Great Reef or Cakaulevu is the longest and most complex reef system in the Fiji Islands.

It is also the third longest barrier reef system in the world. It runs along the shelf edge in a near continuous chain for more than 200 kilometres converging toward the coast of Fiji's second largest island, Vanua Levu
An estimated 202,700 square kilometres of the Fiji archipelago are coral reef habitats.

This underwater pride is estimated to represent 9 per cent of coral reefs of the Pacific and 3.5 per cent of the total area of coral reefs in the world.
There are about 298 species of scleractinian coral recorded with 475 species of mollusc and 60 species of ascidian in Fiji.

A total of 1208 species of fish have been recorded within Fiji and most of these are associated with coral reefs.

All these findings and records are the reasons coral reefs are important.
The alarming decline of the Earth's coral habitats through cyclones, disease, predators and volcanic eruptions harm reefs and corals.

However, even after such catastrophe, corals tend to regenerate.
Two other critical factors to coral reef decline are the high percentage of carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere and rising sea temperatures.
These two factors may cripple coral's ability to recover.

Other threats to the Great Reef include over-fishing and poaching by illegal fishers, fish poisoning, siltation of near-shore environment caused by erosion and upland activities, dredging of sand for construction purposes, use of small-mesh fishing nets and use of hookah for beche-de-mer collection.
One way to address this devastating environmental issue is practising coral reef maintenance or management.

This is where 20 youths representing four different communities in Fiji come into the picture.

They participated in a Fiji country program community survey methods training instigated by the World Wildlife Fund.

The youths are from Kabara, Malomalo and eight from Ono-i-Lau. Despite coming from different districts, the youths are connected to their coastal environment.

For the past three weeks, the youths have been trained in diving by certified divers on Nukulau Island for a week.

The aim of the training program was to allow the youths to apply all of their training and theory work exercises when they go back to their island communities.

The training will make them better monitor their respective island reefs.
WWF community coral reef survey team leader Monifa Fiu said the youths were chosen by their village heads.

She said the dive training involved coral reef survey methods based on a worldwide methodology to determine the health of reefs.

"The training was an orientation of that methodology. This is not the first time we have worked with members of different communities.

"Part of our work is visiting the various communities and enlightening them on our work. We used to work with small groups of four but this is the first time we had a combination of youths from four different communities.
"The youths have a lot in common and they not only get the opportunity to share their fishing skills but will be able to learn more about the different coral life forms.

"We had three dive operators helping with the training. They are very natural when it comes to diving but with diving there are certain procedures to follow. They also learn about these procedures."

Ms Fiu said dive practice included going out to the reef where groups of four divers would practise coral reef survey methods. She said the youths were taught data collecting.

Ms Fiu said the work of WWF on managing and maintaining healthy coral reefs was part of their message on good environmental practices.
"In each group, the members are paired-up. They are always in pairs, no one swims alone.

"Two divers would be at one coral point while the other two would lay the tape measuring 50 metres to another coral point. Once the tape is set out, one pair would swim to the end of the tape and conduct a fish count.
"Once they reach the other side, the other pair would swim to the other side counting inverts such as clams and lobsters in between the coral reef.
"In the process, data is being recorded with every survey or training.
"Data is important. It determines basic information regarding the health of the reef, status of fish life and management ideologies on maintaining the reef.

"Not only has the training provided them with a general background and understanding the ecology of reefs but it will also give the participants information about survey methods of coral reefs and explore the potential of coral reef bleaching and monitoring of their local reefs."
She said one of the objectives was to enhance village-level coral reef management by training customary resource owners in low-tech, locally tailored, coral reef monitoring.

Ms Fiu said good environmental practices would be more meaningful if carried out by the different communities.

She said by doing so the environmental messages would be much stronger and they were planning to get more people involved and become aware of the roles they can play in monitoring the health of coral reefs.

One of the youths, Josese Voce from Malomalo in Nadroga, said he was happy to be part of the WWF-funded training.

He said he was used to free diving in the village and did not know the ecology of coral reefs until he joined the program.

For Josese, diving is an aspect of life in the village. Not only is it a hobby, it is also a job especially for villagers depended on food from the sea.

"I learned a lot about the different species of fish and corals.

"When I used to dive in the village, I already knew about the corals and fish but to go deeper and learn about the different kinds was new to me.
"I plan to teach others in my village the things I have learnt, especially in caring for the coral reef and the importance of having a healthy coral reef.
"I feel this is important because we depend so much on the sea for our livelihood and food.

"Learning about coral reef survey methods is also interesting. Even diving with equipment was new. I don't use the kind of equipment for diving such as gas tanks and flippers.

"Free dive is different because we don't have gas tanks and it is hard.
"We learn how to use gas tanks and they monitor how much air we use. It helps us control our breathing under water."

The 17-year-old said being a certified diver was a golden opportunity to find employment in the tourism industry.

He hopes to act as a tourist guide for his village.

The Great Reef fringes the entire coast of Macuata province in Vanua Levu.
To date, of the total number of species recorded in Fiji from any one area,
Cakaulevu has the highest percentage recorded including 55 per cent of the known coral reef fish in Fiji, 74 per cent of the known coral species in Fiji, 40 per cent of the known marine flora in Fiji and 44 per cent of Fiji's endemic reef fish species.


The island which played a role when Fiji was ceded to Britain - Fiji Times Online