The MOU begins a five-year partnership that will support the development of a Marine Spatial Plan, a Blue Economy Strategy, and protection of 30% of Fiji’s ocean waters that stretch from Fiji’s coast to the limits of its EEZ. The MOU provides a mechanism to draw on support for inclusive decision-making processes and the implementation of those decisions. The MOU recognizes that ultimately all decisions taken to manage its oceans is an exercise of sovereignty for Fiji and its citizens.

The MOU will create Blue Prosperity Fiji that will focus on three core areas: Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to achieve a comprehensive marine spatial plan designed to sustainably manage 100% of Fiji’s marine and coastal waters, fully protect at least 30% of Fiji’s marine and coastal waters and plan for the development of ocean economies. Blue Economy (BE) to promote economic diversification and growth, social inclusion, and the preservation or improvement of livelihoods while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability of the oceans and coastal areas. Sustainable Fisheries to support Fiji’s fisheries goals and safeguard long-term, sustainable ocean health.

The Waitt Institute is a non-profit that partners with committed governments and local stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable ocean plans that benefit communities, the economy, and the environment. The Waitt Institute brings an expert team to support three main pillars of work: Marine Spatial Planning, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Fisheries to help governments around the globe protect their ocean and manage their resources sustainably for future generations.

The Waitt Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports marine conservation efforts around the globe through grantmaking. It takes a hands-on, partnership-oriented approach to support governments, research institutions and NGOs in protecting the ocean. The Foundation funds projects and campaigns aimed at ending overfishing, the creation and expansion of Marine Protected Areas, facilitates Marine Spatial Planning, and raising public awareness about the rapid decline in ocean health. With a particular focus on enduring public private partnerships and conservation finance, its principal goal is to support governments in achieving their own sustainable fisheries, "Blue Prosperity," and ocean conservation goals.

The Blue Prosperity Coalition (BPC) is a coalition of NGOs, academic institutions, foundations, and other organizations working together to assist committed governments in developing and implementing sustainable marine spatial plans to protect the environment and improve the economy at the same time. The Blue Prosperity Coalition has partnerships with the Azores, Barbuda, Bermuda, Curaçao, the Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, and Tonga. The Waitt Institute is the organizing body of the Blue Prosperity Coalition. The Waitt Foundation provides funding through grants to core partners in the Coalition.

The main goals of the MOU are to assist Fiji in the implementation of a National Ocean Policy (NOP) and the fulfillment of their ocean commitments in three core areas: (1) Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), (2) Blue Economy, and (3) Sustainable Fisheries. Blue Prosperity Fiji will build on the significant body of work underway by regional organizations, technical agencies, donor agencies, and NGOs.

The Fiji National Ocean Policy (NOP) was developed by the Fijiian Government following a consultative process to provide a healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations of Fijians. The implementation of the NOP aims to secure and sustainably manage all of Fiji’s Ocean and marine resources by integrating scientific and traditional knowledge. View the Fiji National Ocean Policy here.

A National Ocean Policy Steering Committee (NOPSC) with inter-ministerial representation will oversee the progress of its implementation and deliverables. Subsidiary working groups, with defined tasks and associated protocols, will be established if necessary, by the NOPSC. The NOP was developed under the Ministry of Economy’s guidance. Future planning will include consultation with all stakeholders including: Government agencies, industry (such as tourism and commercial fishing), civil society organisations and NGOs, locally based community groups, ocean experts, and individuals.

Funding & expertise with an ambition to be truly collaborative that includes: Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to achieve a comprehensive marine spatial plan designed to sustainably manage 100% of Fiji’s marine and coastal waters, and fully protect at least 30% of Fiji’s marine and coastal waters. Blue Economy (BE) Planning to promote economic diversification and growth, social inclusion, and the preservation or improvement of livelihoods while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability of the oceans and coastal areas. Sustainable Fisheries Planning to safeguard long-term, sustainable ocean production. Supporting activities including assessments, community engagement, outreach & education, coordination with government & NGOs, capacity building & knowledge sharing.

After the MOU is signed, a joint planning phase for the Blue Prosperity Program will begin between the Fiji Government, partner NGOs, and the Waitt Institute. This process will be supported and facilitated by the Waitt Institute and result in a jointly agreed and inclusive implementation plan for Fiji.

The health of Fiji’s ocean is critical for economic stability, livelihoods and jobs, food security, climate change mitigation, tourism, and preserving cultural and ancestral rights. Global and local ocean ecosystems and resources are under several severe stresses, including resource extraction, pollution, coastal and land development and climate change impacts, such as ocean warming, high intensity cyclones, heavy rainfall, sea level rise and coral bleaching. Creating a comprehensive management strategy is necessary to ensure that ocean ecosystems are kept in balance for Fijians.

The Blue Prosperity Program will support the implementation of the National Ocean Policy and will work through the guidance of the National Ocean Policy Steering Committee. The Waitt Institute will work in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Civil Service and Communication, the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Waterways and Environment. Through this effort, the Program also will align closely with the Inshore Fisheries Management Division of the Ministry of Fisheries as well as the existing network of Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) managed by over 400 communities as local stewards with technical guidance and support from the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area Network (FLMMA). In addition, the Program will collaborate with existing area based management efforts, including those undertaken in collaboration with Fiji based NGOs, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Conservation International, World Wildlife Fund, and, cChange. IUCN also plays an important role in coordinating much of this work including assisting with the implementation of the NOP.

A national policy adopted by the Fiji government with a legal framework provided by the Climate Change Act, 2021, that aims to implement Fiji’s long term ocean commitments to marine protected areas, and to secure and sustainably manage all of Fiji’s Ocean and marine resources in an integrated way by promoting inclusive decision making that takes into account community and commercial interests supported by scientific and traditional knowledge.

An agreement between two or more parties outlined in a formal document.

National waters beyond the territorial seas 12-200 nautical miles (nm) from Fiji’s archipelagic baselines. Fiji’s EEZ is 1,290,000 km2 and is defined by Fiji’s Marine Spaces Act 1977 that also defines Fiji’s internal waters, archipelagic waters, and territorial sea.

Agreed upon areas in the ocean where human activities are limited. The most effective Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are fully protected or “no-take” and prohibit extractive use (fishing, mining, etc.) to give marine life a chance to rebound and Regenerate.

A public, stakeholder-driven and science-based process that uses spatial information about natural resources and human uses to determine the best uses of an ocean space through a comprehensive management plan.

A network of over 400 communities working together to promote and encourage the preservation, protection and sustainable use of marine resources in Fiji by the stewards of these marine resources.

Sustainable use of the ocean’s resources to improve livelihoods, communities, economies and ecosystems.

Strategies and tools to ensure that fisheries will be viable for generations to come.