Fiji’s reefs are part of a global story. Around the world, coral reefs are under unprecedented pressure, yet some are showing resilience, defying the odds and offering hope. Fiji's coral reefs support the food security, livelihoods and culture of coastal communities across the country. Protecting them takes more than science and policy, it needs clear communication that helps people understand what is at risk and what actions can make a difference.
©Nick Hobgood/WCS-Fiji
To support this, WCS Fiji partnered with cChange Pacific to develop the Fiji Coral Reef Conservation (CRC) Strategic Communications Plan, through close consultation with the Fiji National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation (NHCRC), and the Conservation Planning and Policy Technical Working Group (TWG).
The CRC Strategic Communications Plan is about coordination. Rather than creating a new standalone campaign, it builds on existing work and shared platforms, including the 4FJ campaign, so partners can amplify coral reef conservation messaging without duplicating effort. It also creates a clearer pathway for shared messaging, product development, outreach, and reporting across partners.
©Keith Ellenbogen/WCS-Fiji ©Joseph Tepper/WCS-Fiji
The plan sets out five objectives: building shared understanding of why reefs matter, encouraging practical behaviour change, supporting inclusive governance, building public and political support for investment, and helping partners amplify each other's work rather than duplicate it. It identifies key audiences, from coastal communities to national decision-makers, and commits to inclusive, accessible messaging that reflects Fiji's traditional ecological knowledge and diverse communities.
This work is part of WCS Fiji’s ongoing collaboration with government and partners to safeguard reefs for the communities and future generations who depend on them. It is supported through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Coral Reef Rescue: Resilient Coral Reefs, Resilient Communities Project.
About the project:
The GEF CRR project is implemented by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF-US), with the University of Queensland (UQ) as the lead execution agency and the WCS as the national technical facilitator in Fiji (in-country lead). The GEF CRR Project contributes to the Global Coral Reef Rescue Initiative (CRRI), a global multistakeholder partnership focused on safeguarding coral reef ecosystems threatened by climate change.