Fiji Locally-Managed Marine Area Network
Case Study C0138
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| Donor/support agency | University of the South Pacific |
| Project type | Self implemented |
| Context(s) | Productive landscape |
| Geographic coverage | Fiji |
| Biodiversity focus | Marine ecosystem |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Conserve the marine environment |
| Poverty reduction goals | Improve the livelihoods of fishermen's communities |
Summary
Declining fish and shellfish stocks pose a serious threat to many communities that rely on the sea and on its resources for their livelihood. In Fiji, residents of Ucunivanua village adopted an innovative solution to the problem of a rapidly degrading marine environment by retrieving their traditions of common property management. In 1990, villagers began to experiment with the historical practice of establishing taboo zones, where fishing is prohibited, to allow degraded marine areas to recover from overuse. When their experiments proved successful, they, and other communities also struggling to protect the marine environment, joined together to launch a Fiji-based network that serves as a forum for the sharing of ideas, data, and best practices.
Since its inception in 1999, the Fiji Locally-Managed Marine Area Network has grown to include communities in six districts and cover 10% of the inshore marine area of Fiji. The involvement of communities in the network has led to increases in the number and size of clams, crabs, and other species harvested adjacent to taboo areas, increased household income 35% over three years, and tripled catch per unit effort. Much of the success of the initiative can be attributed to its participatory and collaborative focus, which has ensured that local people are at the center of the network's operations. Another important aspects of the network is its focus on cross-project collaboration, which sees different project teams visiting one another's sites to learn from each other and to conduct training exercises. As a proof of the success of the network in protecting marine biodiversity and alleviating poverty in fishing communities, the government of Fiji has recently incorporated many of its approaches into national policies designed to protect the coastal resources of Fiji for future generations.
Conservation impact
The initiative has led to increases in the number and size of clams, crabs, and other species.
Poverty reduction impact
The Fiji Locally-Managed Marine Area Network has grown to include communities in six districts and cover 10% of the inshore marine area of Fiji. In these communities, household income has increased by 35% over three years, and catch per unit effort has tripled.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Revival of traditional practices
Reference 1
http://www.equatorinitiative.net/content.lasso?cid=71
Reference 2
http://www.usp.ac.fj
More information
Alifereti Tawake
E-mail: Tawake_A@usp.ac.fj