WCS Fiji http://fiji.wcs.org RSS feeds for WCS Fiji 60 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18134/WISH-to-address--Water-Related-Disease-Risks-Climate-Resilience-and-Biodiversity.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=18134 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18134&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 WISH+ to address Water-Related Disease Risks, Climate Resilience and Biodiversity http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18134/WISH-to-address--Water-Related-Disease-Risks-Climate-Resilience-and-Biodiversity.aspx Through systems health and Nature-based Solutions approaches, the Watershed Interventions for  Systems Health Plus (WISH+) project, funded under the Kiwa Initiative, will deliver co-benefits for  climate resilience, biodiversity and human health and well-being.    More than 3,000 Fijians will benefit from improved watershed management under the Watershed Interventions  for Systems Health Plus (WISH+) project, which was launched today at the Holiday Inn in Suva.  Dr. Stacy Jupiter, Regional Director with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), said that WISH+, as part  of the Kiwa Initiative, will focus on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to improve resilience to climate sensitive  diseases and protect biodiversity in upstream watersheds and downstream coral reefs in the Vatu-i-Ra  seascape.  “Through WISH+, WCS and our partners from the University of Sydney and University of Queensland will  work with government and communities to reduce the incidence of water-related diseases in high risk  watersheds. Management actions will also improve access to clean water, support biodiversity conservation,  and strengthen climate resilience and livelihoods in coastal communities,” she said.  The Kiwa WISH+ regional project will be implemented at key sites in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New  Guinea and will run through June 2026.  In Fiji, project sites will be in watersheds on the islands of Vanua Levu and Ovalau. The project team will also  design tools to help design and finance portfolios of watershed interventions to optimise co-benefits for  biodiversity, climate and human well-being. About the Kiwa Initiative - The Kiwa Initiative - Nature-based Solutions (NBS) for Climate Resilience aims to build the resilience  of Pacific Island ecosystems, communities and economies to climate change through NBS by protecting, sustainably managing and restoring biodiversity. It is based on simplified access to funding for climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation actions  for local and national governments, civil society and regional organisations in Pacific Island States and Territories. The Initiative is  funded by the European Union, Agence française de développement (AFD), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Australia's Department of  Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). It has established partnerships  with the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Oceania Regional  Office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). For more information: www.kiwainitiative.org Photo: Kiwa WISH+ Launch group photo_Photo credit Parijata Gurdayal © Kiwa Initiative – 131022   pgurdayal Thu, 13 Oct 2022 12:55:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18134 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18135/WISH-Fiji-Reduces-Water-Related-Disease-Risk-Facilitates-Access-to-Cleaner-Water.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=18135 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18135&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 WISH Fiji Reduces Water-Related Disease Risk; Facilitates Access to Cleaner Water http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18135/WISH-Fiji-Reduces-Water-Related-Disease-Risk-Facilitates-Access-to-Cleaner-Water.aspx Through a systems approach to watershed management, the Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) project has provided access to cleaner quality water for over 5,000 residents and has helped reduce the risk of water-related disease in 29 communities across five watersheds in Fiji.   Over the past four years, the WISH Fiji project has worked to transform environmental and public health action from reactive to preventative, while improving systems health of coastal watersheds to maintain the integrity and buffer against water-related disease and natural disasters. This has been done by identifying common drivers associated with water-related disease risk in coastal human populations and ill health in downstream ocean ecosystems, and then reducing those risks through integrated watershed management through targeted actions operating at different scales. Through collaboration with Fiji Government and 29 communities across 5 watersheds, the WISH Fiji team implemented over 150 types of management interventions, principally related to improvements in water systems, integrated planning, land use management and waste management. These interventions have contributed to cleaner water for over 5,000 rural Fijians. Results and lessons learned from the WISH Fiji project have been showcased at a national two-day workshop, highlighting successes against national development targets achieved through multi-sectoral collaboration. Dr. Aaron Jenkins, Senior Research Fellow in Planetary Health from the University of Sydney and Edith Cowan University said that watershed condition affects the health and well-being of people and downstream ecosystems. Studies indicate that there is a higher incidence of water-related diseases like leptospirosis and typhoid within watersheds with high amounts of cleared land and higher densities of livestock accessing waterways. Studies also show that some of these same land-based activities around watersheds contribute to increased sediments and nutrients entering waterways which can have devastating impacts on freshwater and coastal coral reef ecosystems on which people depend on for food, livelihoods, and cultural practice. “WISH Fiji was designed to reduce risks to people from Fiji’s three plagues (leptospirosis, typhoid, and dengue), as well as other diarrheal diseases (collectively ‘LTDDs’), by improving overall systems health, which provides co-benefits for downstream ecosystems,” said Dr. Jenkins. WISH Fiji Project Manager, Timoci Naivalulevu from Fiji National University added, “In addition to reducing the risk of water-related disease, we focused on enabling communities to realise their fundamental right to clean water, while strengthening peoples’ connection to their lands and sea. To do this, we worked with a large number of partners across multiple sectors including the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Ministry of i-Taukei Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Forests, Ministry of Environment and Waterways, Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, Ministry of Infrastructure and the Water Authority of Fiji.” WISH Fiji was implemented by University of Sydney, Edith Cowan University, Fiji National University and the Wildlife Conservation Society and was funded by the Australian Government’s Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security and Bloomberg Philanthropies' Vibrant Oceans Initiative.   pgurdayal Wed, 12 Oct 2022 12:58:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18135 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16457/Improving-water-quality-and-human-health-through-catchment-management-training.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=16457 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16457&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Improving water quality and human health through catchment management training http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16457/Improving-water-quality-and-human-health-through-catchment-management-training.aspx On a sunny Tuesday morning in April 2021, the districts of Namosi, Wainikoroiluva, Veinuqa, and Naqarawai in the interior of Namosi gathered for catchment management training. They met at the newly commissioned Namosi Government Station in Dada, for 2 days of information sharing and deliberation, to identify actions to better manage their catchment to protect their natural water sources.The training, funded by the Watershed Interventions for Systems and Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) project, through the Fiji National University and conducted by the Provincial Office and the Provincial Administrator’s Office, was aimed at water and health committees, village headmen, and district representatives. The focus of the workshop was to discuss how catchment management could serve as a tool to protect safe and clean drinking water to rural communities. Results from the 2019 baseline surveys undertaken in the five villages of Navunikabi, Saliadrau, Naqarawai, Wainimakutu and Naraiyawa were shared which included data on the high E. coli bacteria counts found across multiple water sources used by the villages. Given similarities in vegetation types, land terrain and land use patterns within the wider catchment, the results might be representative of the wider area encompassing 18 villages in the Upper Navua region.As stated by the Water Authority of Fiji, water should always be clean without contaminants farming and livestock, and run-off from poorly designed sanitation. During the training, different sector representatives such as the Namosi Provincial Office, Ministry of Regional Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Department of Water and Sewerage, and Water Authority all shared potential solutions on how to address and reduce water source contamination. Using a template from the Water Authority of Fiji, actions plans were developed which included the fencing of animals or water sources to protect contamination from animals, as well as the importance of maintaining 200 meter buffer areas around water sources. Communities considered the condition of their dam and the reservoir – for example, were they in a good working condition? Did they need maintenance? Were there any leakages in the pipeline? And what activities occurred around water pipelines, including if there were leaking sanitation structures near pipelines. The critical roles and responsibilities of water and health committees in maintaining clean and safe drinking water in their communities was highlighted. The training resulted in committees putting together specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-defined solutions which will help promote and maintain safe and clean drinking water in their villages.This blog was produced by Kini Koto, Fiji National University admin_jpalmer Thu, 12 Aug 2021 06:11:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16457 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16449/Redefining-Impact-and-Success-in-Science-to-Dismantle-a-Discriminatory-Reward-System.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=16449 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16449&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Redefining “Impact” and “Success” in Science to Dismantle a Discriminatory Reward System http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16449/Redefining-Impact-and-Success-in-Science-to-Dismantle-a-Discriminatory-Reward-System.aspx A 2020 study highlighted that the citation gap between genders was skewed a full 30 percent in favour of male scientists across thirteen STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine) disciplines. Other studies have highlighted sex-specific conscious and unconscious biases that lead to a higher rate of manuscript rejections and lower rate of publication in prestigious journals for women.  Discussions of a broken value system are prevalent across different fields of science and research, and are exposing deeply-entrenched, systemic sexism and racism. While equity within science has made some advancements, the system remains outdated, colonialist and patriarchal. It overemphasises contributions of males and fails to take into account the breadth of an individual’s meaningful scientific impacts outside of scientific literature—especially the contributions of women, non-binary genders, and other marginalised groups.  For a new paper published in PLoS Biology, I joined a group of 23 other women from different geographies and backgrounds to review the narrow definitions of success and impact in science that can have consequences for careers in science, especially for systemically marginalized groups, including women. In doing this, we wanted to let the evidence and data speak for itself.  We found that the current “publish or perish” model narrowly rewards quantity of publications, citations rates, and journal impact factors, and can determine career advancement, particularly in academia. However, the lack of gender balance and ethnic diversity amongst scientists being cited is not reflective of capacity and ability, but the historical demographics of departments and faculties in universities and research institutions.  Publication metrics are also revealing biases against ethnically diverse scientists, who experience lower acceptance rates, are less likely to be cited by other authors, and are required to have a high level of English proficiency or funding to get editorial support.  This is further exacerbated by “parachute or helicopter science” – terms used to describe international scientists with greater access to funding and scientific opportunity, conducting field studies in lower income countries in a manner that undermines and undervalues the roles and contributions to local scientists (usually from the Global South). The larger implications of gender and racial biases is that it limits innovation and advancement by failing to capitalize on diverse voices, talents, perspectives, knowledge systems and approaches to address the pressing needs of the planet. An alternative vision is to build a new academic model that values the recruitment and retention of diverse scientists through fostering safe and healthy work environments. This includes healthy inclusive mentoring practices such as sponsoring, counselling, networking, and advocating for mentees to support them in their STEMM careers. Institutions should therefore create a culture that promotes the wellness of its staff and students, especially those from marginalized groups.  In order to transform STEMM systems, members of the global scientific community, especially those in positions of power and privilege, need to recognize and reject all forms of systematic biases, especially towards women and marginalized groups, and adopt a wider scientific value system that measures success and impact beyond citations.  This new model should recognize non-academic science careers, teaching, mentoring, and contributions to critical policy and decision-making. Investments in mentoring, and the contributions of mentors and the achievements of mentees, need greater recognition and should not be limited to, for example, students or those in the early parts of their career.  Adoption of better practice means making meaningful and not tokenistic collaborations with others, especially those who are marginalized or in countries with low income and opportunities.  Transforming institutional value systems, cultures and practices towards a system that values justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion is critical for the scientific advancement of humankind. This may require awards and incentives that recognize and reward authentic efforts to do so, create mechanisms to monitor implementation, and adapt and initiate positive spaces for dialogue where diverse voices and opinions are valued and matter.Citation: Davies SW, Putnam HM, Ainsworth T, Baum JK, Bove CB, Crosby SC, Côté IM, Duplouy A, Fulweiler RW, Griffin AJ, Hanley TC, Hill T, Humanes A, Mangubhai S, Metaxas A, Parker LM, Rivera HE, Silbiger NJ, Smith NS, Spalding AK, Traylor-Knowles N, Weigel BL, Wright RM, Bates AE (2021) Promoting inclusive metrics of success and impact to dismantle a discriminatory reward system in science. PLoS Biol. 19(6): e3001282. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3001282 smangubhai Fri, 06 Aug 2021 20:36:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16449 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16251/Landuse-training-to-improve-watershed-and-community-health-in-the-Bureta-subcatchment.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=16251 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16251&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Landuse training to improve watershed and community health in the Bureta subcatchment http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16251/Landuse-training-to-improve-watershed-and-community-health-in-the-Bureta-subcatchment.aspx In April 2021, a multi-sectoral training on agriculture, forest conservation, water management and hygiene was conducted for villagers from Lovoni, Vuniivisavu and Nasaumatua villages on Ovalau Island. The training was carried out as part of the Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) project. The training addressed knowledge and skills gaps identified by communities and partners during the development of Water and Sanitation Safety Plans in October 2020 for the Bureta subcatchment. The training was led by the Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Medical Services, and Forestry, Department of Water and Sanitation, Water Authority of Fiji (WAF), Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, and the Lomaiviti Provincial Council, through the WISH Fiji project. The four-day workshop combined classroom activities with field practical and demonstration. In addition to improving watershed management, the training was supported some of the actions identified in an Ecosystem-Based Management plan that is being developed for the whole of Ovalau Island to manage the island’s natural resources, and to ensure any development for the island is sustainable. The villagers were given an introduction to basic sustainable landuse management. This involved looking at unsustainable landuse uses and provide new approaches and ideas for improving landuse practices. For example, the villagers learnt and discussed the benefits and opportunities for organic farming, including improved human health and livelihood benefits. Currently, there is concern that the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemicals associated with farming, are polluting the natural environment. Farmers in the upper Bureta subcatchment developed a deeper understanding of how development upstream can effect ecosystems and people downstream. Researchers from the Ministry of Agriculture spoke on the different diseases that affect livestock and crops. Participants learned how to avoid introducing crops and animals that are infected. Furthermore, farmers were reminded of the need to prior approvals from the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and the Ministry of Agriculture should they be uncertain of produce and/or livestock that may be infected by pests and/or diseases, including those that may be zoonoses. The Ministry of Agriculture also carried out training on alternative livelihood and income generating ventures such as the production of breadfruit, plantains, cassava and taro flour that can be sold as an alternative to wheat flour. There are health benefits associated with these products because food additives and preservatives are not needed as much as compared to wheat flour produced in factories. The practical and hands on exercises were popular with villagers. Demonstrations were carried out on a number of alternative crop production methods such as tree planting, seed propagation and farming and horticulture techniques. They also learned about marcotting, grafting and budding, fallowing and crop rotation, and agroforestry. The idea was to help communities  increase crop yields from existing pieces of land, to reduce the need for clearing new land or forests for agriculture. The Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry also provided training in how to establish village nurseries. Nurseries can provide a steady source of viable vegetable crops and trees to address food security, livelihoods as well as for the re-establishment of forest cover buffer around zones around primary water sources and rivers. Much of the training focused on the important ecosystem services provided by forests, such as natural water purification and water retention, that are critical especially during the dry season. Moreover, birds, insects and other animals that live in forests perform important ecological functions such as seed dispersal and pollination. The Water Authority of Fiji highlighted the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of the dams as well as reservoirs and the distribution pipes, and the key role water committees played in their villages. The WAF Rural Water Unit supervisor Mr Koroi Kakaivalu spoke on the need for water committees to take ownership of the water projects as they were essential for the health and wellbeing of the community. Mr Patere Sionunu from the Department of Water and Sanitation further elaborated on government policies regarding water and sanitation facilities in the communities, and the required criteria from villages to access government assistance. Lastly, the Divisional Health Inspector for Lomaiviti, Ms Margaret Senilawala provided training and shared information on good hygiene and sanitation practices, and the importance of protecting primary and secondary drinking water sources. The villagers were reminded that the messages and practical sessions undertaken through the week contributed to a healthy and comfortable living environment. Overall, this multi-sectoral training provided a unique opportunity for communities to better understand the relationship between watershed health and human health, and arm them with the knowledge and skills to further both those goals.This blog was produced by WCS staff Eferemo Kubunavanua and Mereia Ravoka.  admin_jpalmer Wed, 09 Jun 2021 02:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16251 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16144/Study-provides-new-insights-into-village-water-committees-in-Fiji.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=16144 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16144&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Study provides new insights into village water committees in Fiji http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16144/Study-provides-new-insights-into-village-water-committees-in-Fiji.aspx A study was conducted to understand the structure, processes, and actions of water committees in Indigenous Fijian (iTaukei) villages as part of the Watershed Interventions in Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) project. Village water committees are important as they address and manage issues in their local communities. They have local knowledge which can help set standards of what is acceptable behaviour and enforce rules about water. Publishing their results in the International Journal of Water Resources Development, the multidisciplinary team included Sarah Nelson, Seye Abimbola, Aaron Jenkins and Joel Negin from the University of Sydney, Sangeeta Mangubhai and Stacy Jupiter from Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Kelera Naivalu and Vilisi Naivalulevu from Fiji National University.  The authors found: (1) roles of the committees were water infrastructure management and maintenance, and providing advice on water conservation, (2)   water committees’ membership size varied (especially the number of women members) (3) there were gendered divisions on committee roles (for example, women were typically the committee secretary, and men were responsible for fixing and managing pipe damage), and (4)  management actions were proactive (e.g. cleaning and maintenance of pipes) and reactive (e.g. fixing a pipe when it bursts). The study found that reactive management is more common in water committees, but these are ad-hoc short-term unplanned adaptive responses and only occur when problems arise. However, there needs to be greater push into aiding villages to make proactive decisions, but this requires greater planning and in some cases, funding. Social and cultural norms underlie the decision-making processes and structures of village water committees, with men playing dominant roles. Promoting women’s roles in water committees and decision-making is a way to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 (achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls) and Goal 6 (ensure access to water and sanitation for all people). Ensuring everyone in the village is represented on the water committee is important as it helps promote ownership and buy-in from the village to protect and value water resources. Sarah Nelson explains, “With Fiji facing growing issues from climate change and its potential impact on water access, it is important to understand how committees work so future decisions, actions and interventions to support with water committees with their long-term water security, and help promote equitable water access for everyone in the village.” Findings from this study will be used to help the WISH Fiji project strengthen village level activities of water management and decision-making. This work was supported by the Stronger Systems for Health Security grant scheme by the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia and by the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vibrant Oceans Initiative.FULL PAPER:  Nelson S, Abimbola S, Mangubhai S, Jenkins A, Jupiter S, Naivalu K, Naivalulevu V, Negin J (2021) Understanding the decision-making structures, roles, and actions of village-level water committees in Fiji. International Journal of Water Resources Development. https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2021.1916449 smangubhai Mon, 10 May 2021 00:49:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16144 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/15966/New-water-infrastructure-benefits-Bureta-communities.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=15966 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15966&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 New water infrastructure benefits Bureta communities http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/15966/New-water-infrastructure-benefits-Bureta-communities.aspx For almost two decades, the villagers of Naviteitei, Nasaga and Tai in Bureta District situated on Ovalau Island in the province of Lomaiviti, faced difficulties in accessing sufficient and an unpolluted supply of water from the dam to their homes. The problem as told by many, was the continuous clogging of the dam by sediments and debris, mainly soil and gravel that piled up in the dam and prevented flow of water.  However, after the construction of the new dam that included a sedimentation chamber and a collection box in November last year, the villagers experienced a change that made their lives easier.                                     Reconstruction of the dam in Bureta District on Ovalau Island, last year. ©Zoom Fiji/WCS “For the first time in over two decades, we received continuous supply of water during Christmas and this was a blessing,” said Salanieta Kilibau of Naviteitei village. “Even our families and relatives who visited the village during holidays from towns and outer islands were surprised that we had uninterrupted and debris free water supply in our homes unlike the other times,” the 58-year-old added.  For what was of more relief to Miss Kilibau was that the women in her village no longer had to make tiring trips to the river with their laundry and dishes to wash. “Before almost every day, I used to watch women and the children from our village carry their heavy loads of clothes and dishes to wash at the river nearby and I used to feel very sorry for them because despite having taps at their homes, they could not get enough water to wash and do their household chores. But now, life has truly become easier for them,” she said.The new dam with additional features was constructed with support from Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) project, Water Authority of Fiji and Lomaiviti Provincial Council, currently serves uninterrupted fresh water to more than 350 people from three villages, a settlement, the Bureta Airstrip, the local health center and a primary school.  To ensure that the dam continues to function, the chairman of the Bureta Water Committee, Jone Aukerea, said the committee members will conduct monthly inspections. “We now have the dam with good services that provide us with the uninterrupted water supply, and we do not have any complaints however, it is our responsibility now to ensure that it continues this way, so we will do monthly inspections of the dam and if there are any problems we will try to address it quickly,” Mr Aukerea said. Bureta Water Committee members with the staff of Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji, Water Authority of Fiji and Lomaiviti Provincial Council. ©Arishma Devi/WCSIn addition to this, the water committee bought a new set of distribution pipes to replace the leaking ones currently serving households from the reservoir. Mr Aukerea also mentioned that during the Tropical Cyclone Ana in January this year, a pipe had disconnected from the dam that slowed the water supply. However, the problem was addressed quickly. The project is generously supported by the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Vibrant Oceans Initiative and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  WISH Fiji embraces an integrated approach by working with national and local government, rural communities and the commercial sector in Fiji to take a systems approach to health and well-being through focused action within five river sub-catchments with documented cases of typhoid, leptospirosis and dengue fever. adevi Sun, 21 Mar 2021 22:03:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15966 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14942/Water-safety-and-sanitation-plans-to-enhance-drinking-water-quality-and-reduce-health-risks-for-rural-communities.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=14942 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14942&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Water safety and sanitation plans to enhance drinking water quality and reduce health risks for rural communities http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14942/Water-safety-and-sanitation-plans-to-enhance-drinking-water-quality-and-reduce-health-risks-for-rural-communities.aspx While grappling with the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services is continuing to monitor and respond to outbreaks in water-related diseases, particularly typhoid, leptospirosis and dengue fever (LTD). In the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Harold that passed through Fiji in April 2020, the Ministry announced an outbreak in the LTD cases in cyclone affected areas. On 19 August 2020, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Iferemi Waqainabete stated that there were 14 deaths and more than 4000 active cases of LTDs, mostly in the Central and the Northern divisions. Studies, including by scientists with the Watershed Interventions of Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) project, suggest that these common waterborne diseases are influenced by a number of interlinked factors including hygiene practices, sanitation, land use practices, ecosystem degradation, and climate change. Ultimately, access to safe water and functional sanitation systems, coupled with improved land-based management practices, can lead to improved health for people and their natural surroundings. WISH Fiji Community Engagement Assistant Mereia Ravoka collects water sample from the community dam for testing. ©WCS/WISH Fiji Since 2018, WISH Fiji has been working with 29 communities in five sub-catchments on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu to take an integrated systems approach to prevent, respond and recover from water-related diseases that can be exacerbated by natural disasters. One of the key processes WISH Fiji uses is Water Safety Sanitation Plans (WSSPs) to assist communities to identify interventions to improve their water and sanitation infrastructure. WSSPs will further identify land management practices (e.g. agriculture, forestry, livestock keeping) that need to be modified or improved to further minimise and prevent disease risk to communities, and ensure ecosystems are healthy and productive. To assist develop their WSSP, key findings from baseline surveys conducted in 2019 will be shared back with each community. The results highlight the risk factors that may influence the prevalence or susceptibility of a community to water-related diseases.Testing water sample. ©WCS/WISH FijiThe WISH Fiji team together with the Turaga-ni-koros (village chiefs), water committees, health inspectors, representatives from the provincial offices, and the community members, will together profile and map the areas and practices that pose health risks. The WSSPs also help identify knowledge gaps and training needs for the community’s water committee members on best water and sanitation practices to help reduce the spread of water-related diseases. WSSPs will be developed in communities within the Bureta, Dama, Dawasamu, Waibula and Upper Navua sub-catchments. admin_jpalmer Thu, 17 Sep 2020 22:14:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14942 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14741/Forest-wardens-no-longer-to-walk-16-km-a-day-for-patrol.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=14741 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14741&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Forest wardens no longer to walk 16 km a day for patrol http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14741/Forest-wardens-no-longer-to-walk-16-km-a-day-for-patrol.aspx In 2017, Joeli Matai and Jona Cati graduated as forest wardens from the Colo-i-Suva Forestry Training Center. The two have since then, committed to protecting the Kilaka Forest Conservation Area, near their village in the District of Kubulau in Bua Province, Vanua Levu. For the past three years, twice a month, Joeli, 52 and Jona, 36, walked approximately 16 kilometers to patrol the 402 ha Kilaka Forest Conservation Area to ensure it was safeguarded against threats such as illegal logging, gravel extraction and careless burning. Through the assistance of Wildlife Conservation Society’s, Fiji Country Program (WCS Fiji), the wardens received horses as a mode of transportation to ease patrolling duties. They also received waterproof jackets and gum boots to protect them from unfavourable weather conditions during their patrols. The forest wardens with the horses and protective body suits. Photo: suppliedIn expressing his happiness in receiving the horses, Joeli said, “We depend on forests for our survival, from the air we breathe to the wood we use and I am happy to receive this assistance which will help me carry out my duties even better.” He said that the new mode of transport will reduce their time of travel and allow them to patrol the forest area thoroughly. This also meant they could divide their time between patrolling, farming and other village activities more efficiently. “Normally, the walk to the Kilaka forest is long and tiring and because the forest area is so big, it takes at least three hours or more to complete the patrol,” Joeli added.  Highlighting the importance of the role that they played, WCS Fiji Community Engagement Officer, Sirilo Dulunaqio said the forest wardens are the eyes and ears of the community and also to the Ministry of Forestry. Their continued service allows special places like the Kilaka Forest to be preserved for our future. “As full-time farmers, Joeli and Jona are both dedicated to protecting the natural resources and have been crucial in the implementation of the Kilaka Forest Conservation Area Management Plan which was designed through numerous consultations with forest land owners and WCS Fiji,” Sirilo said. The Kilaka Forest Conservation Area, is situated on land belonging to Mataqali Nadicake (land owning unit) in Kilaka Village. The conservation area is protected under a 99 year conservation lease between WCS and the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) to ensure the long-term protection of the highly biodiverse forest and its water sources. adevi Mon, 10 Aug 2020 23:25:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14741 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14653/The-Planetary-Health-Alliance-launches-Planetary-Health-Case-Studies-An-Anthology-of-Solutions.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=14653 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14653&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 The Planetary Health Alliance launches Planetary Health Case Studies: An Anthology of Solutions http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14653/The-Planetary-Health-Alliance-launches-Planetary-Health-Case-Studies-An-Anthology-of-Solutions.aspx A Press Release by Planetary Health AllianceThe Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) first issued a call for planetary health case studies to strengthen and expand the field of planetary health in November 2017. After receiving submissions and proposals from organizations and institutions around the world, ten diverse cases were chosen to create a cohesive anthology of examples ranging in thematic area, approach, ecosystem characteristics, and geographic region. Beginning in July 2018, freelance journalist and photographer Hilary Duff traveled around the world, interviewing practitioners, community members, government officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders on the front lines of human-caused environmental change and its health impacts. Combining their experiences and knowledge with existing scientific research, the resulting planetary health case studies tell the stories of planetary health in action.Three years later, the PHA is thrilled to announce the launch of Planetary Health Case Studies: An Anthology of Solutions, a free collection of case studies that shares the stories of planetary health in practice worldwide and provides a valuable teaching resource for educators of all kinds. Understanding the implications and applications of planetary health has never been more important than in the age of COVID-19. These case studies invite students to reflect on the realities of people around the world, the complex connections between people and planet, and how the anthropogenic acts of one generation can reverberate through to the next. Each story highlights a regional example of how groups worldwide have used planetary health approaches to address these challenges, including millions of Europeans using a phone app to reduce food waste, women’s groups working in partnership with the Sri Lankan Navy to replant mangroves, and more. Together with Planetary Health: Protecting Nature to Protect Ourselves, a book co-edited by Samuel Myers and Howard Frumkin that will be released in mid-August 2020 (preorder the book here with discount code PLANET), these case studies contribute to the PHA’s goal of supporting the growing, transdisciplinary field of planetary health, as well as educating the public about the existence and importance of local-to-global planetary health solutions for a healthier future. Each case study includes complementary learning objectives and teaching guides written by Dr. Carlos Faerron Guzmán, and direct links to the Planetary Health textbook to support classroom education and planetary health curricula integration. Through powerful firsthand accounts, illustrations, and images, Planetary Health Case Studies: An Anthology of Solutions provides the foundation for communicating complex, interdisciplinary health science into approachable stories and solutions that we hope will inspire citizens, educators, funders, government agencies, NGOs, policymakers, researchers, and students alike.Case studies were written and photographed by Hilary Duff with editing and support from Amalia Almada, Christopher Golden, and Samuel Myers. Teaching guides were written by Carlos A. Faerron Guzmán. The creation of this anthology would not have been possible without the generosity of the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Green Park Foundation, and the administrative support of Brunel University London. admin_jpalmer Wed, 29 Jul 2020 23:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14653 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14256/WCS-bids-farewell-to-conservation-leader-Josaia-Moceinasavu.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=14256 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14256&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 WCS bids farewell to conservation leader, Josaia Moceinasavu http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14256/WCS-bids-farewell-to-conservation-leader-Josaia-Moceinasavu.aspx This blog is written by WCS's Community Engagement Officer, Sirilo Dulunaqio in memory of Bu Jo. "You see me now as a conservation champion but you should have seen me back in days when I was the go-to man for resource use," Josaia Moceinasavu told me once as he laughed heartily. A man of great humour, he also shared about the time he sold sand secretly to a developer but then his elders surprised him by choosing him to join the resource conservation team in the village. Whenever we sat down to chat after our formal meetings on the Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park, we would reminisce on his stories, and as candid anecdotes were recounted, he would throw in messages of conservation. Bu Jo out in the sea. ©FLMMA Known fondly as Bu Jo, the former spokesperson of the Ra Provincial Office (Mata ni Vanua ni Yasana), will always be remembered for his powerful will and determination to make positive changes, especially when it came to safeguarding the environment.   In his versatile roles as a father, grandfather, great grandfather, loving family man, farmer, village warrior, lay preacher, storyteller, boat master, talented fisherman, spokesperson, a true warrior of the Vanua Nakorotubu, conservation advocate and a mentor, Bu Jo is best described as a humble gentle giant. As a fisherman and a boat master, Bu Jo strongly displayed his passion for conservation and had even named his boat “Qio Ni Toba” meaning “shark of the bay”. His love for the ocean went far beyond fishing. Whenever he was out in the sea, he would call out to other fishers and remind them to not to overfish.Bu Jo points at a village in the map of Yasawa Island Group. ©Miriama Qoro Hailing from the village of Navuniivi, in the District of Nakorotubu in the Province Ra, Bu Jo spent a lot of his time working with the team from Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) on resource protection and management within his vicinity. I had my closest encounters with Bu Jo when he was a member of the Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park management committee. In negotiating and helping set up the conservation efforts of the Park, I learnt that Bu Jo was a man of his words and he only spoke what was right and could work best for both, his people of Nakorotubu District and his Vanua, the Province of Ra.Normally, around this time of the year, I would be working with Bu Jo and his colleagues on the Vatu-i-Ra students’ education grant. However, due to the global coronavirus disease pandemic we were instead locked in our homes for days and could not meet. It was at this time when we received the sad news of Bu Jo’s passing on Friday, 3rd of April 2020. While we are deeply saddened to bid farewell to Bu Jo, we are grateful to have worked with him and will always cherish his contributions in helping protect Fiji’s natural resource.   admin_jpalmer Mon, 25 May 2020 01:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14256 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14052/Profile-Feature--Akanisi-Caginitoba-and-her-life-as-a-Community-Engagement-Coordinator.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=14052 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14052&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Profile Feature - Akanisi Caginitoba and her life as a Community Engagement Coordinator http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14052/Profile-Feature--Akanisi-Caginitoba-and-her-life-as-a-Community-Engagement-Coordinator.aspx Akanisi (known to many as Cagi) was born in Vanuatu. At the age of 13, she came to Fiji with her family and since then lived a life of a Fiji urbanite. Akanisi’s passion for working with Fijian communities developed when she first went to a village in 2002, as a community engagement officer. She noticed how the villagers lived a worriless life away from the urban rush and race for time and money. Wildlife Conservation Society, Community Engagement Coordinator, Akanisi Caginitoba ©WCS “In the village, if there are no sugar and tea leaves, people can improvise with the natural resources they are surrounded with,” says Akanisi. “They cook cassava and dalo (taro) and have it with the water they boiled it with, making it their breakfast. Fresh fruits between meals serve as snack or dessert,” she added. Akanisi’s passion to learn more about Fijian culture and traditions from different communities has brought her closer to them. “I like listening to old stories that they have. For instance, how Bua got its name? How people settled there and how times have changed for them? Given the increase in the demand for money, I have also heard about how people are trying to look for new ways to make money which is having other consequences like risking the loss of their resources or forgetting traditional skills such as weaving mats and baskets.” She explains, “I know that through the various projects supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) on natural resource management and livelihoods, I am able to weave and foster the traditional skillsets of the community members back into their daily lives, and help them do what they have been doing right – protecting their valuable culture and heritage and resources for their children and Fiji’s future. Akanisi with Wildlife Conservation Society staff during a meeting. ©Eferemo Kubunavanua  The community life captivated Akanisi and prompted her to specialize in community engagement. Her role as a WCS Community Engagement Coordinator provides visionary leadership, and assists communities to identify, design and raise funds for their projects. Through the research and data collected by WCS’s scientists, Akanisi helps communities understand the health of their surrounding natural resources. She works with them to create bottom-up community-based resource management plans that integrates the traditional ecological knowledge and science. These plans not only protect the resources such as fisheries and forests but also offer sustainable economic benefits to communities. Akanisi has been with WCS for over two decades working throughout the 14 provinces of Fiji in over 120 villages, each with different cultural and traditional backgrounds. She has helped nine districts develop ecosystem-based management (EBM) plans, and is currently developing pathways and approaches to integrate disaster risk reduction into community planning processes. She has also worked with communities, mainly women to establish their alternative livelihood projects which included: virgin coconut oil, honey and ‘kuta’ mats. 1. What has been one of the greatest highlights of your career so far?                                                                     Our team has successfully worked with all nine districts of Bua Province to implement their EBM plans. Last year, we launched the Koro Island EBM plan, the first ever island-scale EBM plan for Fiji. These are integrated approaches to managing community/island resources sustainably. I am forever grateful for the excellent support I received from the district and island hierarchy committee members, which has made the development of this plan possible. The leaders and people of Koro are happy with the plan because this will enable their food security and ensure a sustainable income for them and their future generation.2. Why are you passionate about community engagement? I am very passionate about my work because I get to visit new places in Fiji especially in the areas that we work in. With the kind of work that I do I get to interact with different people and I am always ready to bring a change and give them hope for a brighter future, if they look after their ecosystem well. With this role I am able to facilitate changes, assist address issues, support the resource management committees and provide information or resources they might need through projects they are conducting within their villages or districts.3. What message do you have for young men and women who wish to work with communities?     Working with communities is inspirational. One gets to learn a lot of new things every day, especially the amazing culture and traditions within in the different provinces of Fiji. If you have the passion for learning, and have the patience and humbleness within you, then working with communities to find the right tool to understand and address their issues will be fun and fulfilling. adevi Mon, 20 Apr 2020 04:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14052 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13858/Gender-integration-into-the-implementation-of-the-Vanuatu-National-Road-map-for-Coastal-Fisheries.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13858 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13858&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Gender integration into the implementation of the Vanuatu National Road map for Coastal Fisheries http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13858/Gender-integration-into-the-implementation-of-the-Vanuatu-National-Road-map-for-Coastal-Fisheries.aspx With two thirds of the population living within one kilometer of the coast, coastal fisheries are a critical resource for food security, nutrition, livelihoods and cultural practice or kastom in Vanuatu. Last year, the Vanuatu Department of Fisheries launched the “Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019‒2030”. Vanuatu’s roadmap is comprehensive, aligning with the Melanesia Spearhead Group’s roadmap for inshore fisheries, as well as other regional (e.g. New Song) and global (e.g. FAO Guidelines for Securing Small-Scale Fisheries, Sustainable Development Goal 14 on Oceans) commitments and guidelines. There are six principles to guide the implementation of Vanuatu’s roadmap – featured prominently, the first principle states how important it is to “recognize women’s contribution to coastal fisheries and promote more inclusive fisheries management and livelihoods.” Gender trainers Cedric Paniel (OXFAM), Chelcia Gomese (WorldFish), Sangeeta Mangubhai (WCS), Danika Kleiber (JCU/WorldFish) © WorldFishHowever, fisheries managers and practitioners do not have formal training and therefore lack the knowledge and skills needed to integrate gender into their work. In response, the Vanuatu Department of Fisheries hosted a training designed to increase and strengthen its capacity for integrating gender into fisheries and aquaculture work in Vanuatu. Over two days, representatives from government, environmental NGOs and development organisations came together to share knowledge and experiences on gender integration into projects, programs and institutions. The training was specifically designed to: 1)      Increase and strengthen capacity for government and NGOs to integrate gender into aquaculture, fisheries, environment and broader natural resource use and management; and 2)      Develop clear pathways for gender integration into management and monitoring. The materials for the training were co-developed by the Pathways Project in partnership with the Vanuatu team, the James Cook University ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, WorldFish Solomon Islands, and the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Fiji Country Program. What was unique about the training was there were no Powerpoint presentations, no formal classroom teaching – instead activities were designed to enable participants to reflect on their own experiences, and consider how society shapes and influences ideas around gender roles and relationships. The training was highly interactive, providing time to reflect on the difference between sex and gender, and how gender norms can negatively influence the lives and relationships of men and women. Participants at the gender in fisheries training in Port Vila, Vanuatu - copyright to WorldFishGender panelists (left to right): Julia Marango (CARE), Celine Bareus (Department of Women’s Affairs), Betty Zinner-Toa (UN Women), Jill Makikon (OXFAM)  © WorldFishTogether, the participants explored the barriers different people in a community experience when they are engaging in participatory management decisions, and they gained new gender sensitive facilitation techniques. A panel of experts from UN Women, OXFAM, CARE and the Department of Women’s Affairs shared approaches and tools they found effective to progress gender equality in Vanuatu. The hope is that the approaches developed by these gender and development organisations, and the lessons they have learned, can openly be shared with the Vanuatu Department of Fisheries to better implement the National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries. Chelcia Gomese a Senior Research Analyst at WorldFish in Solomon Islands explains, “one of the highlights of the training was the opportunity to work and learn from with Cedric Paniel at OXFAM who is doing some leading and innovative work on gender in Vanuatu. It is rare for me to meet a male who is as passionate about gender as I am. I hope to bring what I have learned this week back to the work that will continue to do in Solomon Islands.” This work is part of Dr Sangeeta Mangubhai’s Pew Marine Conservation Fellowship which is looking at how to better mainstream gender and human rights-based approaches into small-scale fisheries in Melanesia. smangubhai Wed, 26 Feb 2020 21:08:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13858 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13694/Increase-in-numbers-of-ground-nesting-seabirds-on-Vatu-i-Ra-Island.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13694 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13694&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Increase in numbers of ground-nesting seabirds on Vatu-i-Ra Island http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13694/Increase-in-numbers-of-ground-nesting-seabirds-on-Vatu-i-Ra-Island.aspx The content of the blog has been adapted from the contributions of the staff of BirdLife International : Meli Naiqama, Semaema Vakaciriwaqa and Francis Saladrau.Many writers have described Vatu-i-Ra as a rather lonely, uninhabited, rocky little island, lying in the middle of nowhere within the Vatu-i-Ra passage, between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. But the island belonging to the Nagilogilo Clan of Nasau Village, Navitilevu, Ra has been identified as an important bird and biodiversity area for several seabird species by BirdLife International. The Vatu-i-Ra Island is home to nine different types of seabirds with the biggest group being the black noddy (Anous tenuirostris).A view of  Vatu-i-Ra Island after Tropical Cyclone Winston ©BirdLife InternationalOn a rainy Monday of November 2019, a team from BirdLife International and Nature Fiji-Mareqeti Viti took off to Vatu-i-Ra Island with a local guide, Ini, and four others to conduct a survey of the current bird population on the island.  One of the first things that our team noticed was that the island’s vegetation was still recovering from the devastating 2016 Tropical Cyclone Winston. The survey findings suggest that there are high numbers of breeding brown noddies and bridled terns – both ground-nesting birds – with lots of eggs and some chicks evident. Surprisingly, the presence of myna birds were also found on the Vatu-i-Ra Island. There were four jungle mynas and four common mynas on the island. Migratory birds such as the wandering tattlers and ruddy turnstone that are associated with mudflats, also visit Vatu-i-Ra Island.The team from BirdLife International on their way to visit the Vatu-i-Ra Island to conduct a survey. ©BirdLife International. The BirdLife International Pacific Regional Programme Coordinator, Mark O’Brien, who was also part of the survey team and has made several visits to the Vatu-i-Ra Island before the Tropical Cyclone Winston, said the difference on the island was incredible and depressing. “The loss of forest throughout the main area has had a catastrophic effect on the black noddies and it is clearly going to be sometime before the habitat is restored sufficiently for the birds to return to breed in the high numbers of previous years,” Mr O’Brien said. An egg of a seabird on Vatu-i-Ra Island. © BirdLife International However, he said the increase in numbers of ground-nesting seabirds was pleasing and this could have been due to the combination of the removal of ground predators 10 years ago and the increase in the extent of open ground caused by the cyclone. “It is fascinating to observe how the wildlife on the site responds to environmental pressures.” The Vatu-i-Ra Island is important for bird life as they have been breeding all over the island for many years now and it is their home. To ensure that they continue to breed and exist in the future, people should refrain from visiting the island to avoid any disturbance to the birds. To protect the land and marine life on the island and its surrounding waters, the 110.5 square kilometers Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park was established in 2017 through a unique partnership with locally-based tourism operators, dive liveaboard operators, the communities from Nakorotubu District, the Ra Provincial Office, Wildlife Conservation Society, the Fiji Environmental Law Association, and BirdLife International.A view of  Vatu-i-Ra island before the devastating Tropical Cyclone Winston. © Stacy Jupiter Together, these partners developed a management plan to protect the park’s rich biodiversity.  One of the successful activities is the establishment of a voluntary contribution to the park conservation fund that supports the protection of the park and sponsors deserving students from the area for further studies.  admin_jpalmer Fri, 10 Jan 2020 01:57:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13694 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13558/Koro-Chiefs-commit-to-island-scale-EBM.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13558 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13558&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Koro Chiefs commit to island-scale EBM http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13558/Koro-Chiefs-commit-to-island-scale-EBM.aspx This month, with support from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the Lomaiviti Provincial Office and key Government Ministries the 14 chiefs of the 14 villages of Koro Island launched the ecosystem-based management plan (EBM). This is a first island scale EBM plan for Fiji which is an integrated approach into managing the island’s resources sustainably.Launch of the island-scale ecosystems-based management plan on Koro Island. © WCSIn endorsing the five-year plan, the chiefs have urged the communities to make every effort to ensure effective implementation of the plan. The plan was designed by the Yaubula Management Support team on the Island through the various community and stakeholder consultations were undertaken between 2015 and 2018. The plan reflects the outcomes of the Koro Island EBM management planning workshops conducted on the island with local communities and relevant government representatives. WCS, Community Engagement Coordinator, Akanisi Caginitoba, said, “the plan united the 14 villages of the island who have shown great commitment to protecting their vulnerable resources for the future.”  The management plan seeks to promote an integrated approach to enhancing the ecological value and resilience of terrestrial freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems on Koro island. EBM aims to maintain ecosystems in a healthy, productive and resilient condition so that human needs can be met in future. Local communities are key to sustaining the ecosystems and this plan seeks to address the growing challenges of Fiji's land and marine resources including the impacts of climate change.  The people of the Koro island have committed their time and expertise in abundance to support the conservation and sustainable use of the island's natural resources. The main source of income for the Koro Islanders is farming and fishing. As such, they have identified several threats to Koro Island which if unmanaged, will impact the health of terrestrial and freshwater habitats.Signing of the plan. © WCS  It has been identified that uncontrolled logging and agricultural practices have caused the loss of native plant species and increases the presence of invasive species on the Island. To address this threat, the farmers have collectively agreed to not bring in plants such as taro from outside Koro Island.  At a workshop in 2017, held at Vatulele village, it was also noted that unsustainable fishing practices such as overfishing of living resources, night spearfishing and fishing of small-sized fish posed threat to the marine ecosystem surrounding the Island.  The WCS Fiji Country Program Director, Dr. Sangeeta Mangubhai said, “Over the four years of our working here we have seen the best of what Koro Island has to offer through her people and the abundant resources both on land and in the sea.” While speaking at the launch, she also added that WCS witnessed the heartache brought about by TC Winston and how resilient the people of Koro are and how they have quickly recovered from the devastation brought by TC Winston.  According to the management plan, the communities will have restricted logging near streams, catchment areas and along the coastline. Commercial logging will only commence with approval from the respective Ministry and landowners after an environmental impact assessment.Women of Koro Island at the launch of the island-scale ecosystems-based management plan. © WCS  Additionally, the communities will establish community-based marine managed areas to counter depleting marine resources. Fish wardens of the communities will monitor the fishing activities and any breach will be reported to the Island's Yaubula Management Support Team. The plan prohibits leaving fishing nets along the mouth of streams, removing the coral, leaving nets overnight and taking of undersized fish.  As part of a longer-term initiative, the communities have also incorporated sustainable financing in the management plan which will help formulate scholarship for tertiary students and small sustainable projects within the Island.  adevi Thu, 05 Dec 2019 00:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13558 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13518/National-scale-marine-bioregions-for-the-Southwest-Pacific.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13518 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13518&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 National-scale marine bioregions for the Southwest Pacific http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13518/National-scale-marine-bioregions-for-the-Southwest-Pacific.aspx Pacific nations are determined to fulfill their international commitments to conserve the ocean around them, despite the lack of data on bioregions within their countries to support their efforts. However, the current marine bioregions that cover the Pacific Ocean are at spatial scales that are too broad to support national marine spatial planning. The southwest Pacific bioregionalisation will enable the design of ecologically representative national systems of marine protected or managed areas within offshore and inshore environments in the Pacific. A diversity of authors from or supporting the Pacific region have developed the first combined oceanic and coastal marine bioregionalisation at national scales, with demarcation of 262 deep-water and 103 reef-associated bioregions across the southwest Pacific. “Bioregions” are defined areas with reasonably similar groupings of biological and physical features that do not require complete data on all species, habitats and processes. A data-driven approach has been used by the authors to identify and map the marine bioregions, differentiating between the deep-water and reef-associated bioregions. The bioregions have been reviewed by technical experts in the region to make sure they make sense. The paper titled “National-scale marine bioregions for the Southwest Pacific” which was recently published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, analyses how the new marine bioregionalisation plays a critical role in assisting the countries to develop or enhance spatial planning across the southwest Pacific. For instance, the countries can design ecologically representative systems of marine protected areas by ensuring that examples of every marine bioregion are included in the final design. The deep-water bioregions were classified with 30 environmental datasets derived from satellite or ship measurements. The reef-associated environments, required records of 806 taxa at 7369 sites to predict the probability of observing taxa based on environmental variables. Because many bioregions cut across the national jurisdictions, shared bioregions have also been determined in the study. For Fiji, a total of 23 deep-water bioregions have been identified which are all shared while out of the 12 reef-associated bioregions identified, three are shared. The authors believe that the marine bioregions make an important contribution in providing the biophysical data layer required to improve effective spatial planning across the Southwest Pacific. Coastal view from Lau. Credit: Wildlife Conservation Society. The authors of the study are Maria Beger, Hans Wendt, Jonah Sullivan, Claire Mason, Jimaima LeGrand, Kate Davey , Stacy Jupiter , Daniela M. Ceccarelli , Alex Dempsey , Graham Edgar , David A. Feary , Douglas Fenner, Marian Gauna , Hannah Grice , Sahar Noor Kirmani , Sangeeta Mangubhai , Sam Purkis, Zoe T. Richards, Randi Rotjan , Rick Stuart-Smith , Helen Sykes , Naushad Yakub , Andrew G. Bauman , Alec Hughes , Jason Raubani , Adam Lewis , Leanne Fernandes The paper can be assessed from:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110710 or by contacting the Wildlife Conservation Society directly on infofiji@wcs.org   adevi Mon, 25 Nov 2019 01:08:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13518 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13221/How-coral-reefs-benefit-from-healthy-watersheds.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13221 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13221&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 How coral reefs benefit from healthy watersheds http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13221/How-coral-reefs-benefit-from-healthy-watersheds.aspx As part of the Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) project, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and our partners are trying to identify how activities on the land may be impacting downstream coral reefs. This is a bit like detective work to try to uncover convincing evidence to link human activities to reef condition. What you see on a coral reef at any given time represents an integrated history of all environmental conditions to which the reef has been exposed, both through natural and human-influenced processes. There is a high natural degree in variability of the types of corals and other benthic organisms you might find, which can be related to things like depth, reef habitat, and wave exposure. Furthermore, some coral reef organisms are better able to tolerate disturbance due to their growth forms (e.g., robust mounding corals can tolerate high energy waves much better than delicate branching corals) and genetic predisposition.                                               A river mouth adjacent to coastal reefs in Viti Levu. Credit: Stacy Jupiter Over the past few decades, there has been growing concern that rapid rates of change in how humans use the land adjacent to coral reefs is leading to unfavourable shifts in reef communities. There is evidence from numerous field studies that reefs growing adjacent to heavily altered catchments tend of have corals with higher rates of partial mortality and disease, increased algal cover, low rates of recruitment of new juvenile corals, and increased amounts of bio-erosion. Recent research from the Coral Coast in Fiji also has shown negative feedback whereby larval coral and fish preferentially avoid settling in areas with more algal growth. These issues taken together prevent reef growth and recovery following disturbance, and can ultimately lead to the breakdown of reef structure.                                         Some nearshore reefs had high abundance of juvenile coral recruits, suggesting better local                                                             conditions for reef recovery. Credit: Stacy Jupiter  What are the mechanisms that influence these impacts? Large-scale vegetation removal from watersheds and soil compaction over time can lead to higher volumes of river runoff reaching the nearshore, coupled with higher end loads of sediments and nutrients that can be compounded from poor agricultural and waste management practices. Corals, as well as other benthic reef organisms, can be quite sensitive to sudden changes in salinity, sediment and nutrient loads, as well as other chemicals that may be running of the land from pesticides or industrial activities. Elevated sediments in the coastal environment can negatively affect corals and other benthic organisms through multiple pathways. They can reduce the amount of light, which is needed by the algae (called zooxanthellae) that live in coral tissues and produce the corals’ food. Large sticky flocs called marine snow, which form in particular when sediments aggregate in high nutrient conditions, can smother coral recruits and other small benthic organisms. When these particles land on larger coral colonies, the corals may get stressed trying to slough off the particles either by ciliary action or by producing large volumes of mucus that can be washed away by currents. The increased amount of particulates and dissolved organic material has also been documented to be associated with increased microbial activity that promotes coral disease.                                              A small nudibranch makes its way across a thick carpet of sediment on coastal reefs in                                                                                   Tailevu Province. Credit: Stacy Jupiter The WCS Fiji team is at the early stages of trying to identify baseline conditions of coral reefs downstream from the Dawasamu, Waibula, Bureta and Dama river catchments in Tailevu, Lomaiviti and Bua provinces. We will use historical records and accounts of land cover change to try to identify how past activities have shaped current reef condition. And then we will work with the local communities in these locations to undertake watershed management interventions designed to reduce sediments and nutrients in their waterways and ultimately improve downstream reef condition.                                                                                 WCS Fiji dive team discussing conditions on reefs near Silana Village in                                                                                              Tailevu Province. Credit: Stacy JupiterThe WISH Fiji project also goes beyond trying to manage coral reefs. The project partners are taking an integrated approach to watershed management to improve the health of the entire linked ridge-to-reef systems, including for the people residing in the river catchments. Our collaborative research has shown that the same types of activities that degrade watersheds are also linked to the incidence and occurrence of water-related disease, such as typhoid and leptospirosis, in people. Thus, by taking a holistic approach through managing at the watershed scale, we aim to improve water safety, water quality, and overall system health. The WISH Fiji project is a partnership between the University of Sydney, Edith Cowan University, Fiji National University and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in close collaboration and partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Water Authority of Fiji, World Health Organisation (WHO), the Pacific Community (SPC), UNICEF. The project is generously supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Vibrant Oceans Initiative and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. sjupiter Thu, 24 Oct 2019 02:44:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13221 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13211/Surveying-coral-reefs-in-Ovalau-Island-to-measure-impacts-of-watershed-management.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13211 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13211&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Surveying coral reefs in Ovalau Island to measure impacts of watershed management http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13211/Surveying-coral-reefs-in-Ovalau-Island-to-measure-impacts-of-watershed-management.aspx While the rest of the country celebrated Fiji Day, a team of dedicated Fijian scientists continued their surveys of coral reefs around Ovalau Island. It felt apt to be there, close to Fiji’s old capital Levuka which became a World Heritage Site in June, 2013. Each day we SCUBA dive to collect baseline data on coral cover, coral disease, and reef fish communities to help us document and better understand how land use practices are impacting downstream coral reef habitats. Heavy rainfall earlier in the week had caused sediments from land to enter the Bureta River, forming large plumes extending from the river mouth out to sea. The sediment plumes are so thick it is impossible to count fish on nearshore reefs and we had to concentrate our efforts on the composition and health of the coral community. We found, as we expected, that those coral reefs closest to river mouths are being heavily impacted by sediments from land. In these environments the diversity of corals is low and a number of colonies were ‘pale’ or ‘fully bleached’ which is an indicator of stress. In this case the stress is likely a combination of freshwater (from the recent heavy rain) and sediments. Silt was prevalent at the site, in some places making up 20‒30 percent of the cover. Many of the corals were producing large volumes of mucous in an effort to trap and prevent sediments settling on their tissue. Further away from the land the story was a little mixed. At some sites the coral community was healthy and thriving, while other reefs were still recovering from Category 5 Cyclone Winston which passed through Fiji in February 2016 leaving a trail of destruction in its path. Those reefs previously impacted by the cyclone had notable large fields of rubble (old broken coral), overturned corals and chunks of reef that had been broken off. To address these pressing issues, a large multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral project called Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) was launched in late 2018. Working across the five sub-catchments of the Bureta, Dama Dawasamu, Waibula and Upper Navua rivers, the project focuses on targeted and integrated upstream catchment management and policy implementation to reduce the spread of disease and improve downstream ecosystem condition. The coral reef data collected this year will be our baseline and we will be doing monitoring annually to determine if interventions to improve land management will have a positive impact on coral reefs. There is a tight connectivity between land and sea on high islands given the generally smaller sizes of their watersheds. Bottom line is that watershed health matters for coral reefs and the people who are dependent on them, especially for food and livelihoods. We need to ask ourselves, can we really afford to lose them? The WISH Fiji project is a partnership between the University of Sydney, Edith Cowan University, Fiji National University and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in close collaboration and partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Water Authority of Fiji, World Health Organisation (WHO), the Pacific Community (SPC), UNICEF. The project is generously supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Vibrant Oceans Initiative and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs.  smangubhai Sun, 20 Oct 2019 23:56:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13211 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13191/Watershed-management-and-coral-reefs.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13191 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13191&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Watershed management and coral reefs http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13191/Watershed-management-and-coral-reefs.aspx Healthy watersheds are fundamental to human health and wellbeing whether you live inland or along the coast. Ridge-to-reef management is not new and organisations like the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have been supporting communities take a holistic and integrated approach to managing their resources for more than a decade.Catchment management is an important issue in Fiji as land use practices such as forest clearing and agriculture are increasingly impacting watersheds, causing rivers to be filled with sediments, especially after heavy rains. These sediments eventually make their way down the river and discharge into the ocean. A certain amount of the sediments may be trapped by mangroves at the mouth of rivers, but large volumes of silt end up on coral reefs.Human activities are changing both the magnitude and characteristics of sediment that is reaching the reef.  Some species of coral cannot survive sediment plumes after heavy rainfall. Other corals become stressed and produce volumes of mucous to trap silt to prevent it settling on their tissue. Fine silt that ends up on the ocean never really goes away – rough weather and currents can continue to re-suspend it, keeping corals in a stressed state. To address these pressing issues, a large multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral project called Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) was launched in late 2018. Working across the five sub-catchments of the Bureta, Dama Dawasamu, Waibula and Upper Navua rivers, the project focuses on targeted and integrated upstream catchment management and policy implementation to reduce the spread of disease and improve downstream ecosystem condition. To document and better understand these downstream impacts, a team of scientists from WCS are surveying reefs close to and offshore from the mouth of the Bureta, Dama, Waibula, and Dawasamu rivers. Each day we SCUBA dive to collect baseline data on coral cover, coral disease, and reef fish communities. We are documenting how much silt (measured as percentage cover) is present on those reefs. The composition of coral communities can give us insights into the impact sediments are having on reef systems. The types and abundance of coral disease provide a strong indicator of land-based impacts. Monitoring will be done annually to determine if interventions to improve land management will have a positive impact on coral reefs.The WISH Fiji project is a partnership between the University of Sydney, Edith Cowan University, Fiji National University and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in close collaboration and partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Water Authority of Fiji, World Health Organisation (WHO), the Pacific Community (SPC), UNICEF. The project is generously supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Vibrant Oceans Initiative, the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Tiffany & Co. Foundation.    smangubhai Sun, 13 Oct 2019 22:06:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13191 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13121/WCS-Melanesia-Director-named-a-2019-MacArthur-Fellow.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13121 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13121&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 WCS Melanesia Director, named a 2019 MacArthur Fellow http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13121/WCS-Melanesia-Director-named-a-2019-MacArthur-Fellow.aspx The Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Melanesia Director, Dr. Stacy Jupiter was named a 2019 MacArthur Fellow 2019, a recipient of a Genius Grant, today. The prestigious award is a recognition of Dr. Jupiter’s work as a marine scientist and conservationist and the innovative ways she has “integrated local cultural practices with field research to develop conservation solutions that protect both the biodiversity of coastal ecosystems and the well-being of communities that dependent on them.” One of her main focal areas of work has been to assess the effectiveness of locally-managed marine areas (LMMAs) to achieve desired outcomes that local people care about, such as food security, livelihoods and enabling cultural practice. With numerous collaborators in Fiji and abroad, Dr. Jupiter identified under which conditions LMMAs with tabu areas (fisheries closures that are periodically harvested) can be the best strategy for simultaneously maximizing the amount of fish in the water, amount of catch, and ease of fish catch over the course of a year, while allowing for customary harvesting practices. “For many years, we have been arguing that management undertaken by small-scale fishers in the Pacific Islands is more than just a niche practice,” explains Dr. Jupiter. “This work validates that conclusion, and provides legitimacy to a management tool that is incredibly important for local cultural practice in Fiji and across the Pacific.” The findings are likely to have real impacts on how people around the globe implement fisheries management so that they can have their fish in the water and eat them too. More recently, Dr. Jupiter has been pioneering an innovative research-to-action project with the WCS Fiji country program and collaborators from University of Sydney, Edith Cowan University, Ministry of Health, Fiji National University and a number of other institutions. The Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) initiative, which is working to simultaneously reduce water-related disease risk and improve ecosystem health through strategic watershed management measures, has been a decade in the making. Through this work, Dr. Jupiter is trying to galvanize local people to be better stewards of their environment by directly connecting their actions to the things people care most about – their health, food and cultural connections to the land and sea. Part of galvanizing people means using out-of-the-box thinking to inspire people to take action. Dr Jupiter uses captivating approaches such as flash mobs, comic books and puppets to help people understand the impacts of environmental changes and to reconnect them to nature. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation provides unrestricted fellowships to talented persons who have shown extraordinary innovation and commitment in their field of expertise that has brought about real change on the ground. There are three criteria for selection of Fellows: (1)   Exceptional creativity; (2)   Promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishments; (3)   Potential for the Fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work. Although Dr. Jupiter was born in the USA, she has lived in Fiji for 11 years and is also a naturalized Fiji citizen. She supports conservation efforts in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea. She has worked across a diversity of fields including land-sea planning, ecosystem based management, locally managed marine areas, fisheries and coral reef resilience. For more information, please check out the following links: https://www.macfound.org/fellows/1041/ https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13103/WCS-Congratulates-Stacy-Jupiter-for-Being-Named-a-2019-MacArthur-Fellow-A-Recipient-of-a-Genius-Grant.aspx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOQqUDK_Rmw&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0J19B4ip_JgDGKCupZYsf1f8-C8lwHY1styjlPnHUsrn2_Av-ssnvAK0Y   adevi Fri, 27 Sep 2019 03:24:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13121 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13117/Agriculture-mapping-for-clean-and-safe-water.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13117 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13117&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Agriculture mapping for clean and safe water http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13117/Agriculture-mapping-for-clean-and-safe-water.aspx Healthy watersheds are critical for ecosystem and human health, but are threatened by a range of unsustainable or damaging land practices. These practices include the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides associated with farming, as well as poor animal husbandry. For example, the discharge of animal waste contaminates into waterbodies that communities are reliant on for drinking water can increase the incidence of waterborne diseases such as leptospirosis. The run-off of nutrients into catchments can result in toxic algal blooms, which can impact fish, prawns, clams, eels and other river species important for subsistence or local livelihoods. To design the most effective interventions to support healthy ecosystems and reduce waterborne diseases, the Watershed Interventions Systems for Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) is assessing community agricultural practices around five water sub-catchments. From September to December this year, WISH Fiji is conducting environmental and water sampling, mapping and socioeconomic surveys in Dama, Bureta, Dawasamu, Waibula and Upper Navua sub-catchments. Agricultural specialists are mapping out crop and livestock farming around main waterbodies such as hydro dams (sources for drinking water), bathing spots in rivers, and fishing areas. The WISH Fiji team has recently completed all surveys in Dawasamu District in Tailevu Province. The team observed farms on steep slopes and use of chemicals in the yields along creeks and rivers. Farmers also shared that some people used pesticides for fishing purposes, without understanding the consequences. Based on the findings of the study, WISH Fiji will work with local communities to determine better and safer agricultural practices which will prevent agriculture pollutants from entering watersheds. It is important to understand the link between agricultural practices, environment and human health.  Education and awareness on soil health and conservation together with a better understanding of the impact of agro-chemicals along water bodies is essential.   vprasad Thu, 26 Sep 2019 21:49:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13117 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13089/District-works-towards-developing-a-revised-ecosystem-based-management-plan.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13089 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13089&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 District works towards developing a revised ecosystem-based management plan http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13089/District-works-towards-developing-a-revised-ecosystem-based-management-plan.aspx The growing demand for natural resources and increasing impacts of climate change are threatening ecosystems worldwide. To protect the environment from these threats, an integrated approach is required. Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is an integrated approach to manage and maintain healthy, productive and resilient ecosystems and the communities that are dependent on.  It addresses interactions between humans and the environment. The development of an EBM plan takes considerable effort and commitment by all, including all members of the community, as well as government and private sector stakeholders. In late 2018, the traditional resources owners in Bua came together to develop an EBM plan for their district with the support of the Bua Provincial Office and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). There are 7 villages in the district - Bua, Dalomo, Tiliva, Koroinasolo, Nawailevu, Waitabu and Tacilevu. In August, a team from the WCS led by Community Engagement Coordinator, Akanisi Caginitoba conducted a workshop at Dalomo Village to discuss the threats, strategies and actions the community wanted to address in their EBM plan. Developing an EBM plan requires clear management rules and actions, and collective efforts to promote compliance, including awareness, monitoring, surveillance and enforcement.  Building on their extensive and rich traditional and cultural knowledge of their land and sea, the plan hopes to set a pathway to the sustainable use of natural resources that will ensure long-term benefits for generations to come. The district has several protected reef areas and has proposed a number of freshwater protected areas which will be reflected in the EBM.  In the two-day workshop, the district men, women and youth participated actively in mapping their resources and resource use activities. As symbolic a tree planting exercise was also held at the Bua District School to encourage children to care for their environment. An excursion was also done to two historically known to be nesting sites for turtles. WCS engaged the services of Oliva, a “Dau Ni Vonu” (Turtle Rangers) from the island of Tavea in the neighbouring district of Lekutu to assess the potential turtle nesting site. Oliva was trained under the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) turtle monitoring project and demonstrates the value of investing in communities to build local capacity. Bua and Dama districts are the remaining two in Bua Province to have their EBM plans finalized and launched. These management plans once completed, will sit under a larger integrated coastal management plan for Bua Province.   ekubunavanua Fri, 20 Sep 2019 00:19:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13089 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13056/Watershed-Interventions-for-Systems-Health-in-Fiji.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13056 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13056&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13056/Watershed-Interventions-for-Systems-Health-in-Fiji.aspx Healthy watersheds are fundamental to human health and well-being.In Fiji, rural communities are largely dependent on nearby water sources for consumption and other household activities. However, increasing development and poor land-management practices around watersheds can contribute to declines in water quality. Land-based impacts are particularly problematic in areas where logging is prevalent and unmanaged, and where village and urban waste management systems are rudimentary. Sediments and waste from land activities such as logging, soil and gravel extraction, litter, animal waste, unsafe agricultural practices, livestock rearing and poor sanitation often seep into waterways. This is particularly so in high island ecosystems, where there is a tight connectivity between land, rivers and the sea. There is growing evidence that poor land practices can contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases such as typhoid, leptospirosis and dengue in the tropics. For example, there are a growing number of cases of typhoid and leptospirosis associated with vegetation removal and high livestock density in Fiji. These same poor land practices also have negative impacts on downstream freshwater and marine resources on which local people rely for food, livelihoods and cultural practice. To address these issues, a large multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral project called Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) was launched in late 2018. Working across the five sub-catchments of the Bureta, Dama, Dawasamu, Waibula and Upper Navua rivers, the project focuses on targeted and integrated upstream catchment management and policy implementation to reduce the spread of disease and improve downstream ecosystem condition. The specific nature of the watershed interventions will be determined in consultation with village committees, in partnership with WISH project staff. Training will also be provided to the next generation of health systems leaders, specifically in effectively managing water resources, improving the health of people, the state of environment, and developing ecological interventions. The creation of inclusive decision-making processes with government and local communities is essential for long-term implementation. Therefore, the project will largely engage local communities and government to develop intervention plans to properly manage the watersheds. The WISH Fiji project is a partnership between the University of Sydney, Edith Cowan University, Fiji National University and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in close collaboration and partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Water Authority of Fiji, World Health Organisation (WHO), the Pacific Community (SPC) and UNICEF. The project is generously supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Vibrant Oceans Initiative and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The activities of the project are also funded by the Tiffany & Co Foundation.  adevi Thu, 12 Sep 2019 21:55:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13056 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13051/Celebrating-the-life-of-Steven-McLaren-Lee.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13051 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13051&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Celebrating the life of Steven McLaren Lee http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13051/Celebrating-the-life-of-Steven-McLaren-Lee.aspx Anyone who had the deep privilege of meeting, working, diving or fishing with Steven McLaren Lee could not help but feel hopeful about the future. Steven brought so much life and energy to everything he did. He was fearless, willing to try anything, giving a hundred percent to any task he set himself. I first met Steven when he turned up on the doorstep of the Wildlife Conservation Society to discuss ideas for his Master of Science degree. Steven wanted to find a topic that would have real impact in Fiji, and would help communities better manage their fisheries resources. At the time, the declines in the sea cucumber fishery in Fiji and the wider Pacific was a hot issue. And so he embarked on a Masters at the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research and University of Bremen in Germany. He decided to look at how the removal of the sea cucumber known locally as dairo (Holothuria scabra), affected the health of marine sediments. This is an important question, as evidence from other places in the world suggested sea cucumbers played a critical role in recycling of nutrients and keeping sediments aerated. He got community agreement to work in Natuvu Village in Cakaudrove Province and in 24 months, he completed all his fieldwork, and submitted his thesis.Steven was keen to return to Fiji and began an internship with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Using his new knowledge and skills he worked with other WCS staff to help two communities draft up management plans for their sea cucumber fishery. At the same time, Steven had two manuscripts for an international journal and for the Pacific Community’s (SPC) fisheries bulletin submitted and accepted. Steven very quickly became sought after and started doing consultancies in Fiji and the wider Pacific region. For someone so young, he was landing contracts to do summaries of Fiji’s top 44 fisheries, desktop reviews for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), fisheries analyses for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and for SPC. Despite being in high demand, he managed to join us for the 2017 expedition we did in the northern Lau group with the Vatuvara Foundation. He kept us thoroughly entertained with his free-diving and fishing stories, while entering data with the team late into the evenings. It is with great sadness that the WCS family farewells Steven Lee who passed away just over 2 weeks ago. Although we all feel his loss so keenly, we are grateful to have been a part of Steve’s journey in life and to share in the joy he brought to everyone around him. Rest in peace Sitiveni.   smangubhai Tue, 10 Sep 2019 21:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13051 http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13039/Supporting-community-managed-pearl-oyster-farms-in-Savusavu-Bay.aspx#Comments 0 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=3161&ModuleID=24942&ArticleID=13039 http://fiji.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13039&PortalID=82&TabID=3161 Supporting community-managed pearl oyster farms in Savusavu Bay http://fiji.wcs.org/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13039/Supporting-community-managed-pearl-oyster-farms-in-Savusavu-Bay.aspx J. Hunter Pearls Fiji has been producing high quality pearls with ‘distinctive hues’ since early 2000, and made Fiji pearls a sought after brand. The owner, Justin Hunter works closely with local communities in Vanua Levu, providing jobs for local communities. Pearl oysters are filter feeders, requiring clear pristine waters to grow and thrive. They can filter about 1400 litres of water a day capturing plankton (small microscopic animals in the water column) and other small particles. In other words, oysters clean seawater, keeping bays like Savusavu healthy!Over the next three years, the Wildlife Conservation Society, is partnering J. Hunter Pearls Fiji and the Pacific Community (SPC) to support 2‒3 community-managed pearl oyster farms in Cakaudrove Province on the island of Vanua Levu. The project will be exploring ways to engage women fishers in the industry, while enhancing the effectiveness of their locally managed marine areas. We will work with the local community to ensure land uses do not impact water quality in their customary fishing grounds, to maintain the waters needed for producing high quality pearls. WCS will work closely with J. Hunter Pearls Fiji, SPC and the communities to develop business plans to ensure equitable distribution of benefits that will cover future costs of wages, new pearl shell stock, and any other priority community development activities.   The pearl farming industry is an opportunity to provide non-extractive and environmentally friendly livelihoods for local communities in Fiji. This work is funded by the Blue Action Fund.       smangubhai Thu, 05 Sep 2019 04:09:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13039