Local knowledge helps Fiji protect marine resources
by Alumeci Nakeke
Date: 31-08-2008
Source: Fuji Times
Protecting and improving Fiji's marine resources is an issue often neglected except by conservationists who are eager to make a change. It's this change that has made it possible for Fiji to protect nearly half of its inshore fisheries which about 50 per cent of the population depend on.
Fiji is lucky to have a handful of organisations who work hard so that Fiji could one day become a model for other countries on the state of its marine resources. While some countries in the world are looking for ways to protect their ocean and food security, Fiji seems to be doing well because it is already halfway there through its marine protected areas.
Its tradition, in the sense of local knowledge, is what has made conservation efforts in Fiji unusual from most countries in the world. Conservationists believe that such knowledge could be strengthened by its link to the field of science which in the end could help decision makers make wiser management.
This has prompted Conservation International Fiji to embark on a project which involves sending a group of scientists to visit villages to explore and collect data on its MPAs or taboo areas. Data and facts collected would then be compiled and used for reference whenever questions arise on MPAs, instead of different versions being misinterpreted of the site from different scientists.
Well known American scientist and Boston University Marine Program and professor of Biology Les Kaufman has been in Fiji to talk with Fiji Locally Marine Managed Area partners identifying potential research needs that Fiji has for better designing of its Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the long run.
"Fiji could be a model for other countries on the state of its marine protected areas but first it had to succeed. And in order to succeed people have to change their attitude in how they dump their rubbish, look after their forests and in other harmful habits because it affects the ocean," he said.
He said Fiji was on the upsurge of development in tourism and agriculture so it had to have a management plan for the protection of its forests otherwise the land will fall into the ocean. But everything does not look too bleak for Fiji as it has been found to be resilient especially to global warming.
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Theme(s):
Fisheries Resources
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