Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

The island of Kadavu has the highest number of endemic birds per land area in the world [ ] 105 The Navakavu Clan — a success story of the Fiji Locally Managed Areas Network The Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas Network (FLMMA) was formed in 2000 with the goal to create the network across Fiji’s 410 traditional fishing grounds or qoliqoli. It is the first country-level network to operate independently of the overall LMMA network, and has been involved in activities such as training, best practice workshops, research, site profiling and consultations throughout the country. The FLMMA has made significant contributions not only to the conserva- tion of Fiji’s natural resources but also to empowering local communities. A particular success story involves the Institute of Applied Science (IAS), the FLMMA and the Navakavu clan (Yavusa), an indigenous community that owns traditional fishing grounds close to the Namuka Passage and entrance to the Suva Harbour. A col- lective decision was taken in 1999 by most of the members of three villages and two settlements of Waiqanake, Namakala, Muaivusu, Nabaka and Ucuinamono who belong to the same clan. They agreed to set aside a portion of their fishing grounds as taboo, with no fishing allowed on this marked-out area. According to reports from the villagers of Navukavu, several spe- cies that had not been seen for over fifty years were observed once again, including several species of fish such as Colourpa colourpa as well as some species of crab, prawn and eel that were thought to be extinct. Research carried out in the area, notably by Conservation International, also reported a marked increase in biomass and in the variety of fish and their size. The findings have also demonstrat- ed a perceived positive relationship between conservation measures and assets. People are earning more net income from harvesting marine re- sources as a result of a spillover effect. There has also been improvement in local empowerment where people are taking control of entire conserva- tion areas. This has boosted security and reduced vulnerability through increased earnings. There has also been improved cohesion as people share responsibilities and so are able to meet social obligations. It is evident that Fiji’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan has created community involvement and ownership by the clan. Net- working and cooperation between stakeholders also occurred where IAS staff, NGOs and members of the clan worked together. The clan also learned to deal effectively with the challenge of poachers and non-coop- erative members. The clan expressed their appreciation and excitement at the results of the project. The Somosomo Strait is home to some of the top-ranked diving spots in the world Fiji L ocated in the South Pacific region, Fiji is an archipelagic nation that consists of more than 300 islands, including 100 that are inhabited. The two largest islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu and comprise over 85 per cent of the total national territory of 18,376 km². Most of the islands are volcanic. Diverse ecosystems exist in Fiji including significant areas of natural forest, mountainous terrain, and a range of coastal and marine ecosystems including extensive systems of mangrove and coral reef. The Fiji islands contain almost 40 per cent of intact forest with some of the richest natural communities of all the Oceanic Islands of the Pacific. Many species and higher taxa of flora and fauna are endemic to the country, including a plant family (Degeneriaceae), 26 palms, and three unique iguanids. Vlad Karpiskiy on flickr