Fiji Launches Fiji National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation
On 21 June, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), took a significant step forward in safeguarding the country's coral reefs with the official launch of the Fiji National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation or NHCRC. The event was held at the Peninsula International Hotel in Suva.
Fiji boasts a wide variety of coral reef systems – including fringing, platform, pinnacles, submerged, barrier, oceanic ribbon, atolls, near-atoll, and drowned reefs covering 4,550 km2. These reefs are vital for underpinning food security and our economy – supporting both inshore fisheries and tourism. Fiji's reefs teem with life, with over 1075 species of fish calling them home. Despite their importance, these ecosystems face constant threats from climate change, overfishing, and pollution.
Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, who officially launched the NHCRC, emphasized the urgent need for coordinated and comprehensive action to protect these vulnerable ecosystems. "The NHCRC represents a dynamic ecosystem of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing that will guide conservation decisions across all levels," he stated. The hub will serve as a national coordination and advisory committee consisting of experts, decision-makers, and community representatives.
Dr. Michael underscored the Hub's strategic alignment with Fiji's national strategies, including the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), National Ocean Policy (NOP) 2020-2030, and the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP) 2020-2025. “The Fiji National Hub will play a crucial role in operationalizing these policies by facilitating knowledge exchange, building technical expertise, and supporting community-led adaptation initiatives," he explained.
The NHCRC will be positioned under the National Ocean Policy Steering Committee (NOPSC) and report to the National Climate Change Coordination Committee (NCCCC). The NHCRC ensures seamless alignment with Fiji's national sustainability and climate action goals. This integrated approach ensures the Hub's activities are directly relevant to Fiji's broader development objectives.
The launch event drew a diverse group of stakeholders representing various sectors. Community representatives shared their vision for the Hub as a tool for empowering local communities, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing, raising awareness, and providing guidance on effective management strategies. They advocated for inclusive governance that respects and integrates traditional knowledge. Dr. Michael stressed the importance of inclusivity, gender balance, and representation from diverse sectors in the Hub’s operations. "This is a Hub for all of Fiji. The Hub will comprise of representatives from every sector: CSOs, NGOs, academia, the private sector, government bodies, local communities, indigenous groups, and our international partners," he added.
The NHCRC is an outcome of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Coral Reef Rescue (CRR) Project: Resilient Coral Reefs, Resilient Communities. The CRR project is aimed at strengthening capacity for the long-term survival of climate refuge coral reef ecosystems.
By Neelam Bhan
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