Setting Priorities for Marine Conservation
in the Fiji Islands Marine Ecoregion
In December 2003, over 80 local and overseas stakeholders with knowledge and experience of the Fiji Islands Marine Ecoregion (FIME) were convened by WWF to discuss the importance of and gather information on the biodiversity and associated threats to Fiji’s marine environment.
This report provides an overview of the outcomes of this valuable process and describes the criteria used to enable participants to agree on key areas of biodiversity.
The report reflects information generated by groups of scientists, government and non-government organization representatives, community members and marine enthusiasts who have a range of expertise. Both scientific and anecdotal knowledge were obtained for selected areas, and the gaps in the current knowledge were identified. Areas were identified as important according to their unique biological, geological or cultural attributes. Community representatives were played a key role in identifying areas of cultural significance.
- Honorable Minister for Fisheries (2003), Government of Fiji, Mr. Konisi Yabaki
Thirty-five Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) were identified and agreed by stakeholders. Five areas were ranked to be globally important due to their uniqueness, endemism and high levels of diversity. Fifteen areas were considered to be of national importance and 15 of sub-regional importance. These 35 areas capture the full range of marine biodiversity that makes FIME unique and that if conserved will contribute to the maintenance of integrity of Fiji’s marine systems.
» Download the full report (PDF, 4.3MB)
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