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In December 2003, marine stakeholders and experts from aroundthe South Pacific identified and agreed on key areas of biodiversityimportance in more than 35 locations around the Fiji IslandsMarine Ecoregion (FIME). Five of these locations were consideredto be of global importance in terms of their biodiversity. As thethird longest continuous barrier reef in the world and the mostcomplex reef system in Fiji, the Great Sea Reef is one of theseglobally outstanding sites. Despite the sheer magnitude and

biological, commercial and traditional importance of this site, untilrecently it has been largely unchartered. In December 2004, WWF,Wetlands International, the Wildlife Conservation Society, theUniversity of the South Pacific Institute of Applied Science, localcommunity members and international experts undertook the firstsystematic effort to document the marine biodiversity of this spec-tacular reef system. The findings of a 12-day survey revealed astaggering array of life.

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The Great Sea Reef is one of Fiji’s hidden gems. It isessential that we identify how to manage the reef systemmore effectively and support the people of Macuata toconserve their global marine heritage in the long term.Etika Rupeni, the WWF-Fiji country programme manager

Soft corals, Posa Skelton, 2004

Unravelling thehidden treasures ofthe Great Sea ReefThe Great Sea Reef, locally knownas Cakaulevu, is located to thenorth of Vanua Levu and covers anestimated area of around 202,700sq km. Together with Pascoe Reef,it is 200 km long, and providesimportant fishing grounds for 12districts with a population ofaround 70,000 people.In December 2004, the firstsystematic effort to document themarine biodiversity of the GreatSea Reef was undertaken by WWF,key partners and stakeholders, withlocal funding support from theVodafone Foundation Fiji. Thesurvey also assessed threats to thereef and helped to identifycandidate sites for conservationaction. A total of 23 sites weresurveyed, including outer barrierreefs, back barrier reefs, channels,mangrove island fringingreefs, rocky island fringing reefsand submerged patch reefs.

The diversity of marine life wasfound to be of global, regional,national and local importance.Preliminary results revealed uniquemangrove island habitats, endemicfish species and some coral and fishspecies found outside their usualrange.

Of the total number of speciesrecorded in Fiji, the Great SeaReef has the highest percentages recorded, including:

55 % of the known coralreef fishes in Fiji (predictedvalue of up to 80%),

74% of the known coralspecies in Fiji,

40% of the known marineflora in Fiji, and

44% of Fiji’s endemic reeffish species.

SpeciesThe survey team, both local andinternational scientists, also recorded117 species of sponges, 31 species ofcoelenterate and 12 species ofascidians. In addition, several rare,endangered or newly recorded speciesto Fiji were identified :• Twelve species listed on the IUCN

red list of threatened species,including 10 species of fish, green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris).

• Populations of the locally extirpated and nationally endangered bumpheadparrotfish (Bolbometopom muricatum),

• Three species of fish considered to beendemic to Fiji, including onenew fish species (Pomacentrus sp.)

and one possible new record (Chromisopercularis) previously known only within the range of the Indian Ocean.

• Sixteen species considered to be newadditions to the flora of the Fiji archipelago, with two possible newlyidentified species, namely Ceramium

sp. and Crouania sp.• Forty-three new records of hard

corals were documented for Fiji,with two new genera and threespecies found outside their expected geographic range.

HabitatsSignificant diversity and abundanceof marine biota were observed alongthe outer barrier reefs, channels,mangrove islands and fringing reefs.The further the site was from the shore,the greater the level of habitatintactness. This was directly related toan increase in distance from populationcentres, land-based siltation, pollutionand extractive activities.Unusual offshore mangrove islandfringing reefs were found to be of highbiodiversity and productivity.These highly dynamic, tidallyinfluenced systems are “keystonehabitats” of crucial importance tomaintaining the ecological integrity ofthe entire coastline.

Four armed starfish, Posa Skelton, 2004

Nudibranch, Posa Skelton, 2004

Buli, Baravi Thaman, 2004

Reef survey team at work, Helen Sykes, 2004

Despite the relative intactness ofthe Great Sea Reef (GSR) and thehigh levels of biodiversity, emergingpressures are threatening the healthand integrity of the reef.The GSR fringes coastal areas ofmany sugar cane and pineplantations, and the increasingurbanisation around the townshipof Labasa. Parts of the GSR are alsofished commercially for live reeffish, beche-de-mer and trochus. Themost damaged sites in terms ofsiltation, rubbish and high fishingpressures were observed aroundLabasa.Commercially important fish werefound in very low numbers andconsidered to be small in size.

Several threats have beenidentified by the survey teamand communities:• Over-fishing and poaching

by illegal fishers.• The use of small-mesh fishing

nets (regulated three inch mesh size).

• Fish poisoning – an old fishingtechnique which uses the rootof a coastal plant ‘duva’(derris plant).

• Use of hookah for beche-de-mer collection.

• Siltation of near-shore environment caused by erosionand upland activities, especiallynear Malau timber factory.

• Dredging of sand forconstruction purposes at MaliPassage.

• Development activities such asdrainage of blast water by largevessels in Nadamu Passage.

• Untreated waste water fromfactories and Labasa town.

Threats to theGreat Sea Reef

Key recommendations from the scientific survey (2004)

• Establish representative networks of protected areas across marine and terrestrial habitats.

• Assess and mitigate environmental impacts of land-based activities.• Strengthen capacity within provinces to manage natural resources.• Develop a specific programme of action for rare and endangered marine wildlife.• Develop economic incentives that support conservation.• Research and propose options for the designation of size limits and seasonal

quotas for commercial fisheries.• Research and propose options for the active enforcement of existing laws.• Promote community-driven conservation planning and management.• Establish long-term monitoring for watershed and reef health.• Promote cross-disciplinary, multi-system and inter-agency planning and

coordination.

Soft coral, Ron Vave, 2004.

Young fisherman, Yalava Village, Adi Nacola, 2005. Labasa fish market, Adi Nacola, 2005.

Labasa sugar mill, Adi Nacola, 2005.

Weaving a tapestry of Waitui Tabu (marine protected areas) in Macuata

The Great Sea Reef fringes the entirecoast of Macuata province, an areaof 12 districts including the main townof Labasa. The people of Macuataprovince have traditional fishing rightsover part of the Great Sea Reef andcontinue to depend heavily on thefunctioning and biological diversityof these systems for their subsistenceand commercial livelihoods. Butcommunities are increasingly raisingconcerns about their diminishing fishcatches. Since hearing that the GreatSea Reef was of global importance interms of its biodiversity, the ParamountChief of Macuata province, Ratu AiseaKatonivere, and representatives of 37villages within five provincial districts,have been working closely with WWFand Fiji Locally Managed MarineAreas network (FLMMA), to protect

this unique marine environment.Through sharing the value of marineprotected areas (MPAs) and otherconservation tools with the people ofMacuata, Ratu Aisea, the provincialcouncil, and communities of Macuatanow fully support theimplementation of an MPA networkin the traditional fishing grounds ofQoliqoli Cokovata i Macuata –Macuata, Mali, Sasa, Nabekavu andDreketi. Communities from fivedistricts and 37 villages are fullyinvolved in this national consolidatedeffort to develop one of the firstnetworks of MPAs for Fiji. This isan effort that delivers on the Fijigovernment’s commitment toestablish a network of MPAs in 30per cent of Fiji’s waters by 2020.

In January 2005, the Fijian government declared its intention toimplement an MPA network in 30 per cent of Fiji’s economicexclusion zone.“The government of Fiji declares its commitment to initiating theconsolidation of its national networks of marine protected areas,or ‘Waitui Tabu’, as the mainstay for national income, coastallivelihoods and traditional cultures, hand in hand with theprovision of alternative sources of livelihood. This is to replacethose sources of livelihood that may be lost because of completeprotection of sections of marine areas.”

(Fiji government declaration, Mauritius, 2005).

Local action for globalconservation

The communities of Macuata have nowimplemented several major changesand are already seeing the benefits ofthe MPA network they are creating.Some species of fish, such as theendangered humphead wrasse(Cheilinus undulates) and large rabbitfish (Siganidae sp.) are returning toareas where they have not been seenfor almost three years. Larger speciesof other fish are also being observedcloser to the shore. Currently, efforts are focused on thedevelopment and implementation ofcommunity-based management plans,specifically designed by communitymembers to reduce the threats theyhave identified. Five MPAs and anMPA committee have now beenestablished. Fishing exclusion zoneshave been marked and are enforced bythe community themselves. In addition,the number of fishing licences has beenreduced and the use of destructivefishing practices, such as the use ofpoison fishing and gill nets, has beenbanned.

Potential Marine Protected Areas in Macuata

The challenge is toensure that weconserve someresources for ourchildren and theirchildren. We shouldtake action now, andI am proud that wehave been given thechallenge to managethe third longest reefin the world

Ratu Aisea Katonivere,Paramount Chief of Macuataprovince.

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AcknowledgementsWWF would particularly like to thank the Vodafone Foundation Fiji forproviding financial support to carry out the Great Sea Reef survey and thecommunities of Macuata for their hospitality and support of the survey and fortheir ongoing commitment to implement the first network of marine protectedareas in Fiji. WWF would also like to sincerely thank the followingparticipating institutions and organisations for their involvement in the survey.

FRONT COVER: The Great Sea Reef, Ron Vave, 2004.

• Totally ban on duva fish poisoning and use of hookahs.

• Conduct training of fisheries wardens to enhance the community’s capacity to enforce regulations.

• Increase the community’sawareness of resource use and planning.

• Lobby to reduce industrial waste influx into the reef complex.

• Develop alternative and sustainable income generating options to reduce the exploitation of marine resources.

• Establish MPAs at agreed sites.

Summary of key communityactions for threat reduction

The Great Sea Reef survey team, Baravi Thaman, 2004.

One of the most significant stepstowards long-term conservation andsustainable resource managementhas been the agreement to set aside10 per cent of the licence fee forconservation purposes. This licencefee has been increased accordinglyto offset any loss of income. Thecommitment to conservation byMacuata communities, supported byprovincial government, nationalgovernment, NGOs and otherinterested stakeholders, will ensurethat one of our greatest assetsremains intact and continues to be animportant part of the traditions,culture and livelihoods of the peopleof Fiji.

Fiji Country Programme Office

Address: 72 McGregor Street, Suva, Fiji. Postal Address: Private Mail Bag, GPO, Suva, FijiTel: (679) 3315 533 Fax: (679) 3315 410 email: infor@wwfpacific.org.fj website: www.wwfpacific.org.fj

for a living planet Author: Louise Heaps, WWF SPPO

Date of publication: October 2005

The full report is available on www.wwfpacific.org.fj