The Government of Fiji, in partnership with the Waitt Institute through Blue Prosperity Fiji and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, carried out the largest coral reef survey in the nation’s history. From May to August 2023, scientists collected data from 270 sites across 13 Provinces to establish a baseline of the health of Fiji’s reefs. These results will guide future decisions on marine protection and sustainable management of the country’s ocean resources.
Before the expedition, more than 100 i Qoliqoli resource owners and communities were consulted and granted permission to survey their traditional fishing grounds.
We need to change course for the sake of maintaining the health of our ocean, on which we depend, to provide a better future for our people.
Dr. Joeli Veitayaki
Blue Prosperity Fiji,
Co-Principle Investigator
FINAL SCIENCE REPORT
The final nationwide report offers a comprehensive summary of the expedition's findings, serving as a baseline for the state of Fiji's marine ecosystems to support the development of Fiji’s Marine Spatial Plan (MSP).
What’s included?
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Executive Summary (English & iTaukei)
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Introduction
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Survey Methodology
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Results
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Discussion
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Considerations & Recommendations
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Appendices
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270
DIVE SITES SURVEYED
612
SPECIES OF FISH COUNTED
19.7%
CORAL COVER ON AVERAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY
85
SPECIES OF MACROINVERTEBRATES COUNTED
WHICH AREAS WERE SURVEYED?
Survey areas were chosen strategically, considering ecological factors, relevance to ongoing monitoring, and potential to visit areas that have not yet been surveyed in previous studies. All sites were located on the forereef at 10 meters depth.
Click on image to expand.
KEY FINDINGS
Overall, Fiji’s reefs show both strength and vulnerability. They host rich marine life and show a strong capacity to recover, but they face ongoing pressures from overfishing, climate change, and other threats. Acting now to protect them can help ensure they remain viable and productive ecosystems for future generations.
REEF FISH
Fiji’s reefs are home to an impressive variety of fishes, with 612 different species recorded during the surveys. The most common type of fish was planktivores, which feed on tiny plants and animals drifting in the water. Sharks and top predatory fish, such as snappers, were seen in every Province, but in much smaller numbers compared to other kinds of fishes.
PROVINCIAL REPORTS
Click on the tiles below to view a snapshot of information from the expedition at a provincial level.
PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD
ABOUT THE EXPEDITION DATA
Findings from this report provide baseline information about coral reef health, fish and invertebrate populations, and water quality. Data collected do not provide a stock assessment for any specific species.
This information builds upon extensive traditional and scientific knowledge and existing monitoring and research efforts in Fiji. The findings will help inform the best way to manage, protect, and sustainably use Fiji's oceans.
Salome Tuimaloku from the Ministry of Fisheries, takes photos to create 3-D imagery of a coral reef. Photo by Joe Lepore, Waitt Institute.
WHAT INFORMATION WAS GATHERED?
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Fish Counts: Divers sized and counted fish species and number of fishes within a specific area. This process helps determine the variety of fishes present and the health of their populations at that section of the reef.
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Macroinvertebrate Counts: Divers tallied the number of invertebrates, such as lobsters, urchins, giant clams, trochus, and sea cucumbers.
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Coral Cover: Divers captured photos of the ocean floor, counted juvenile corals, created 3D models of reefs, and gathered information about coral diversity and reef structure.
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Water Quality: Divers collected algae samples to look at sewage input from humans or agriculture as well as nutrient and carbon content of the water.
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Temperature Loggers: Loggers were deployed at a subset of sites for collection at a later date, as they continue to collect data that will help provide insights into reef dynamics, such as coral bleaching, algal cover, fish recruitment, etc.
HOW ARE COMMUNITIES USING THIS INFORMATION?
The information collected from the expedition will complement existing local research and knowledge to improve our understanding of Fiji’s coral reefs.
The Provincial Reports were presented to the Provincial Conservation Officers (PCO) at the Natural Resource Owners committee. The PCOs are now sharing the Provincial Reports with the communities.
Communities with customary ownership rights and other stakeholders are using this data to gain insights into the health of coral reefs and determine effective ways to manage marine resources. This may include the design and establishment of tabu areas (or Marine Protected Areas), among other local management rules, which can boost food security, livelihoods, and sustainable economic growth.
Through the Roko Tui, more than 100 communities were consulted before the expedition. Consultations were directed by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and conducted by Ministry of Fisheries, Blue Prosperity Fiji and World Wide Fund for Nature, adhering to traditional protocols.
Communities granted permission to conduct assessments in their waters through the signing of free, prior and informed consent forms.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
HOW TO ACCESS EXPEDITION DATA
Click the links below to access the inventory of data produced from the expedition.
For access to additional expedition survey data, please fill out this request form.
Expedition data can be made available to anyone through this request form, ensuring accessibility while maintaining the integrity of the findings.
MARINE
PROTECTION IN FIJI
FIJI IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLY MANAGING 100% OF ITS OCEAN AND FULLY PROTECTING 30%
100% sustainable ocean management means taking care of Fiji’s ocean and all its resources to ensure long-term health and productivity for both the ocean and the people.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are fully protected areas that prohibit activities that have negative impacts on the ecosystem. Examples of potentially damaging “extractive activities” include dumping, infrastructure development, fishing, and mining. Marine Protected Areas can be enjoyed through “non-extractive activities,” such as swimming, SCUBA diving, and snorkeling.
BENEFITS OF MARINE
PROTECTED AREAS (MPAS)
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Protecting and restoring the marine environment
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Replenishing commercially important fish stocks
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Protecting fish nursery habitats and spawning grounds
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Maintaining full diversity of their marine life
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Protecting unique underwater geologic features
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Safeguarding underwater cultural heritage
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Ensuring long-term sustainable use of natural resources
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Increasing revenue and job opportunities for tourism and ocean-related industries
HOW ARE MPAs ESTABLISHED?
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a public, participatory, and science-based planning process and tool that seeks to balance ecological, economic, and social objectives, aiming for sustainable marine resource use and prosperous blue economies.
The MSP process involves mapping out different activities and uses in a marine area, such as shipping lanes, fishing grounds, and renewable energy sites, and determining ways to sustainably manage limited resources and competing uses.
SUPPORTING
PARTNERS
This work was led by the Government of Fiji, with guidance from the Office of the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts, and the Waitt Institute. The expedition worked closely with local scientists, universities, and organizations, including the University of the South Pacific (USP), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Conservation International (CI), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Uto Ni Yalo (UNY), Pacific Blue Foundation (PBF), CRIOBE, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
