~Population: 847 793 Land area: 18 376 km2 ~EEZ area: 1 290 000 km2 ~Reef Area: 6,704 km2 HDI: Medium EVI: Highly vulnerable
Marine and coastal ecosystems provide benefits for all people in Fiji. Yet, these ecosystem services often remain invisible. Truly recognizing the value of such resources can help to highlight their importance and prevent their unnecessary loss.
The results presented here summarise a report on the economic values of Fiji’s marine ecosystem services. Once values are more visible, governments and stakeholders can plan and manage resources more sustainably, and maintain economic and social benefits of marine and coastal biodiversity in the long term.
Download Fiji National Marine Ecosystem Service Valuation
By 2020 the Fiji Government, is committed to establishing an EEZ-wide network of Marine Managed and Protected Areas which represent 30% of the marine environment. In 2015, MACBIO was formally requested to support this program by helping to define a marine spatial planning work program, marine protected area objectives and typology, legal analysis, bioregions and design criteria to implement the 30% Marine Managed and Protected Areas.
Vision: A comprehensive, ecologically representative networks of Marine Managed and Protected Areas that restores and sustains the health, productivity, resilience, biological diversity and ecosystem services of coastal and marine systems, and promotes the quality of life for our communities who depend on them.
The country process and support of MACBIO is summarized here: Fiji Marine Spatial Planning Process Brief
The Marine Atlas for Fiji compiles over hundred datasets from countless data providers and for the first time makes this treasure trove of marine and coastal information accessible and usable – as maps with complementing narratives, as data layers and as raw data: Marine Atlas – Maximizing Benefits for Fiji
To assist the Fiji government to achieve its targets for a marine spatial planning and effective management, MACBIO facilitated a review of legislation, policies, strategies and plans relating to the development of marine protected areas in Fiji.
Moreover, MACBIO supports marine and coastal biodiversity management on three sites in Fiji. The integration site Kadavu, as well as the learning sites Navakavu and Macuata Province, the later in cooperation with the Fiji Government and WWF. These three sites cover different levels from the local level in Navakavu to a provincial level in Kadavu and Macuata.