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Progress in Fiji
Scattered across roughly 1.3 million square kilometers of the South Pacific, the Fijian Archipelago encompasses one of the most extensive coral reef systems in the world. The rich biodiversity of marine life in this area is one of the most important reasons that CORAL chose to focus our project work in the Fijian communities of Namena and Waitabu. CORAL has provided training for local tourism business, helping community members improve their business practices, reduce anchor damage to the reef, and educate visitors about environmentally responsible tourism. By demonstrating how the development of well-managed marine protected areas can benefit the overall community, CORAL facilitated the establishment of no-take marine reserves that are improving the health and resiliency of the reefs. Along with our local partners, CORAL is making real progress toward the creation of sustainable coral reefs and communities in Fiji.
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Reef Threats & Progress
Too Popular? The incomparable beauty of Fiji’s coral reefs have garnered attention from tourists and developers around the globe. When uncontrolled tourism and coastal development increase, the reefs suffer. When these practices are combined with existing threats like climate change and overfishing, the situation becomes dangerous to reef survival. CORAL works with local community members, government leaders, and marine recreation providers to develop community-based sustainable tourism practices that raise the local standard of living and provide alternative revenue streams that protect rather than endanger this vital resource.
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Our Partners in Fiji
CORAL’s partner organizations and businesses in Fiji strengthen and complement our programs. These marine recreation partners have been trained in best environmental practices by CORAL. They have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to marine conservation and the local communities.
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As part of our ongoing mission to reduce reef threats in Fiji, CORAL led an effort by community members and marine recreation providers to install mooring buoys in the Namena Marine Reserve and Waitabu Marine Park. When dive boats and live-aboards use the mooring buoys instead of anchors, damage to the reef is greatly reduced. Plans are in the works for additional moorings to protect even larger areas of the Kubulau Qoliqoli Conservation Corridor (KQCC). CORAL has provided microgrants totaling almost US$40,000 for mooring installations in the KQCC and Waitabu Marine Park.
As part of our support of the Namena Marine Reserve and Waitabu Marine Park, CORAL assisted with the creation of informative and useful websites directed at potential tourists and conservationists interested in learning more about marine park management.