21 October 2005
Fiji Fiji is set to establish one of the largest networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the world.
Fiji’s MPA Network is expected to cover 30-percent of Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which is 380,000sq kilometers of its water.
Traditional fish spawning areas have been identified as permanent ‘tabu’ MPA areas. The largest MPA which is located north of Fiji in the province of Macuata called the Great Sea Reef is the world’s third longest barrier reef and globally significant in terms of size, complexity of reef types and biodiversity.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pacific is working with the Fiji government, local communities and other non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) to ensure that by 2020 at least 30-percent of Fiji’s inshore marine areas, will come under the comprehensive and ecologically representative network of MPA’s which are effectively managed and financed.
According to WWF Pacific Fiji, marine systems are showing increasing signs of overexploitation.
Over fishing, unsustainable and destructive harvesting of live coral and fish for aquaria and pollution are all taking their toll.
Paramount Chief of the MacuataProvince, Ratu Aisea Katonivere a “conservation convert†has been an instrumental force in the setting up of the MPA in his province. “The idea is to protect our traditional fishing ground or ‘qoliqoli’ for our future generation. We want to replenish our marine resources for the next 20 years.â€
The Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) does not cover all the qoliqolis’ but only areas identified as fish spawning grounds. “For my province, we have also put in place penalties for people that will not follow the ban. We will impose a FJD$3,000 (US$1,752) fine for any boat found fishing in an MPA area. If that is not paid in eight days, then we will use the boat to police our qoliqoli.†Ratu Aisea said.
“If we respect the ban for the next 20 years, then we will see manna in our land,†said the Tui Macuata.
MPA’s will be reviewed every five years.
WWF’s President and former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Ayaoku’s will officially launch the Macuata MPA in November.
