Fiji Islands Travel Guide | DiveMe | Marine Reserve | Ocean Life

What is an MPA?

“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.”

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 tabu by traditional owners. And they are targeting for more. Already surveys have shown that fish numbers and other marine resources are increasing in these tabu 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 Island nations to do likewise.

There are many examples of success stories in the establishment of MPAs or FLLMAs.

Waitabu Marine Reserve

Waitabu Marine Reserve is a fabulous reef that has been set aside for the benefit of snorkel tourism and environmental education.

After a marine life survey was carried out, the traditional rural village of Waitabu decided in 1998 to set aside this area as a “no-take” reserve to enable replenishment of marine life and fish stocks.

In place of income from fishing, the villagers now take snorkel tours to the marine park, promoting small-scale marine tourism as a consistent source of income.

The reserve is part of the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area Network (FLLMA) and, as a division of the Bouma National Heritage Park is managed by the Bouma communities and supported by Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), Resort Support and many other NGOS.

Namena MPA Marine Reserve

The Namena MPA encompasses the entire reef around Namena Island known as the Namena Barrier Reef and is part of a larger network of marine protected areas set aside by the Kubulau District to preserve their reefs for future generations.

Their ultimate aim is to protect and secure the Kubulau Qoliqoli Conservation Corridor, a reef system that remains vibrant and diverse.

A team of dedicated young Fijians and ten villages are working closely with Wildlife Conservations Society (WCS), World Wildlife Fund (WWWF) and Wetlands International to conserve the Kubulau Seascape by bringing together world renowned marine scientists with traditional management approaches.

The people of Kubulau established a fee for visiting the park some years ago to meet community and management needs. Proceeds from the Dive Fees have enabled Namena MPA to:

Eliminate destructive commercial fishing for nearly a decade

Install mooring buoys to reduce anchor damage

Provide annual scholarships for school children from the Kubulau District

Extend the MPA to incorporate an additional 11 protected areas in a district-wide network of MPAs.

The Namena MPA is home to over 1,000 species of invertebrates, 400 known corals, 445 documented marine plants and over 1,100 fish species.

These are just two examples of many success stories in this saga of marine protection. Fiji’s determination to protect their marine biodiversity for generations to come continues and is gaining momentum every day.

Fiji Islands Travel Guide | DiveMe | Marine Reserve | Ocean Life