Blue Prosperity Fiji Shares Valuable Coral Reef Data with Communities

9 May 2025, Suva, Fiji – The Government of Fiji, in partnership with Blue Prosperity Fiji, released early results from the country’s largest-ever coral reef assessment. Results were shared directly with district representatives and Provincial Conservation Officers at today’s Natural Resource Owners Committee (NROC) meeting in Suva.

The results provide snapshots of reef health across 13 provinces throughout Fiji and highlight key information by province based on data collected during a four-month nationwide Ocean Science Expedition in 2023. This information can support traditional, sustainable marine management by empowering communities with science-based insights into the condition of their local reefs.

“Coastal communities in Fiji are the true stewards of our ocean, and it’s critical that they have information about their reefs to make decisions about how to manage their waters. That's why we're honored to share the results with them, broken down by province, so that communities can access information about their qoliqoli areas. The 2023 Ocean Science Expedition was an unprecedented achievement for Fiji—a truly collaborative effort that brought together government, scientists, and communities to better understand the state of our coral reefs," said the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Sivendra Michael.

During the NROC meeting, Provincial Conservation Officers were trained on how to share the expedition data from their provinces with community members in an accessible and meaningful way. The Provincial Reports include high-resolution 2D images and immersive 3D visualizations of coral reefs, which can be explored through interactive maps on blueprosperityfiji.org, allowing users to experience surveyed reef sites as if swimming through them. 

“This data is now in the hands of the people who depend on the ocean the most,” said Dr. Joeli Veitayaki, Strategic Advisor for Blue Prosperity Fiji. “It’s a step toward more informed locally-driven ocean stewardship. Our communities can use this data to enhance the sustainable ocean management measures they already undertake, preserving our ocean for all Fijians, now and into the future.”

From May to August 2023, scientists from the Government of Fiji, Blue Prosperity Fiji, and global partners surveyed qoliqoli areas and coastal habitats, assessing 272 reef sites across Viti Levu, Beqa, Kadavu, Ovalau, the Yasawa Islands, Lomaiviti, Taveuni, Ringgold Islands, Vanua Levu, and the Lau Islands. Divers recorded data on the biodiversity and health of coral, fish, and invertebrate communities, as well as the water quality of the reefs. They also installed 91 temperature loggers to monitor changes in sea surface temperatures in real time over the next three years. The Final Science Report is currently under development and will include more detailed information and analysis from the expedition. 

By delivering this vital data to communities, Fiji is reinforcing the connection between science, traditional knowledge, and local stewardship of the ocean. These insights will play an important role in shaping sustainable marine practices that protect biodiversity, support livelihoods, and ensure a thriving ocean for generations to come as the country moves forward to implement its National Ocean Policy goals and commitment to 30% full protection of Fiji’s waters.

Collecting and sharing this data supports the broader objectives of Blue Prosperity Fiji, a government-led program that aims to build a healthy ocean, thriving communities, and a prosperous, sustainable economy. This work includes close collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry, and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs. Blue Prosperity Fiji leverages community consultations, scientific research, and traditional knowledge to inform the sustainable management of Fiji’s ocean space, while also strengthening ocean industries and fisheries management.

Blue Prosperity Fiji’s diverse ocean management activities include the development of a Blue Economy Framework to inform sustainable marine resource use, an Ocean Use Survey to better understand how communities are using the ocean, and fisheries assessments. Through a separate initiative, Blue Prosperity Fiji is also providing support for the removal of derelict vessels from Suva Harbor. These efforts protect and manage Fiji’s ocean so that it can continue to provide food security, sustain livelihoods, protect cultural heritage, and enhance resilience to environmental and economic change. 

Together, Blue Prosperity Fiji’s initiatives reflect a holistic vision for the future of Fiji’s ocean—one that connects and uplifts the cultural, ecological, and economic value of marine ecosystems to benefit current and future generations.

The Provincial Reports are being distributed by the iTaukei Affairs Board’s Provincial Conservation Officers and are also available at www.blueprosperityfiji.org.

About Blue Prosperity Fiji

Blue Prosperity Fiji (BPF) is a government-led program that supports a healthy ocean, thriving communities, and prosperous economies in Fiji. BPF incorporates community consultations, scientific research, and traditional knowledge to sustainably manage 100% of Fiji's ocean space and designate 30% in fully protected areas while supporting ocean industries and fisheries management.

The 2023 Ocean Science Expedition was led by the Government of Fiji, with guidance from the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Fisheries, and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts, working in close collaboration with the University of the South Pacific , World Wildlife Fund for Nature, Conservation International, Wildlife Conservation Society, Uto Ni Yalo, Pacific Blue Foundation, Centre for Island Research and Environmental Observatory, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the Waitt Institute. 

Media Contact:Josaia Ralago

Media Liaison Officer

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change

📞 +679 801 8250

 📧 jralago@gmail.com