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🇫🇯 Fiji /Environment & Climate

Fiji villages lead drive to revive fisheries with community management initiative

From FBC News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Three villages in Macuata, Fiji, are leading a new community-driven initiative to protect and rebuild their fishing grounds.
  • The 4FJ Fish Smart Learning Site initiative aims to assess fishery health and revive declining fish species.
  • Local champions will be trained to collect data, empowering communities to manage their marine resources.

Villages in Macuata, Fiji, are taking the lead in a new initiative to restore and protect their vital fishing grounds. Nabubu, Lakeba, and Visoqo villages, located in the District of Namuka, have joined the 4FJ Fish Smart Learning Site initiative, a program designed to help communities evaluate the health of their traditional fishing areas, known as 'qoliqoli,' and revitalize fish species that have become less common.

the initiative gives communities the tools and knowledge to manage their own qoliqoli.

— Mafa WilsoncChange Pacific Country Director explaining the goals of the initiative.

The initiative is a collaborative effort involving cChange Pacific, the Ministry of Fisheries, the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, and the Macuata Provincial Council, with additional support from the Kiwa Initiative. During initial consultations, villagers expressed significant concerns about the noticeable decline in fish catches and pinpointed specific species they believe require immediate protection.

As part of the program, community champions from these villages will receive training in collecting fish catch data. This data will be crucial for experts to assess the current state of local fisheries and to formulate effective management strategies. Mafa Wilson, Country Director for cChange Pacific, highlighted that the initiative equips local communities with the necessary tools and knowledge to manage their own qoliqoli, emphasizing that the communities themselves are identifying the species of concern and will monitor their catches.

local people have identified the species of concern and will now monitor their catches to better understand and protect their marine resources.

— Mafa WilsoncChange Pacific Country Director on community involvement in data collection and resource protection.

Wilson further noted the program's unique strength lies in its community-led approach, fostering a sense of ownership over decisions impacting their fisheries. The Learning Site Approach is integrated into the broader 4FJ Fish Smart Campaign, which advocates for responsible fishing practices, enhanced community leadership, climate resilience, and food security. The initiative is also set to expand to Lakeba and Visoqo villages, aiming to establish a replicable model for other regions in Fiji.

what makes the programme unique is that communities are leading the process themselves and taking ownership of decisions affecting their fisheries.

— Mafa WilsoncChange Pacific Country Director highlighting the community-driven nature of the program.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by FBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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