(April 15, 2021) Tropical cyclones are one of the most destructive natural disturbances to coral reef ecosystems. Severe cyclones can have serious implications for the food availability, security and income of coastal communities in tropical regions. A study titled “Responses of benthic habitat and fish to severe tropical cyclone Winston in Fiji” has revealed that despite the large amount of damage caused to corals, minimal impacts were observed on fish communities. The study by researchers from Cur...

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(March 03, 2021) -Study finds that counting women fishers’ contributions is critical to sustainable fisheries management -Addressing gaps in accounting on these contributions is crucial to meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals-A largely Fijian research team published core findings on women in fisheries in Fiji, within Ocean and Coastal Management Ocean and Coastal Management in Women’s History MonthWomen fishing. ©Sangeeta Mangubhai/WCS A new study highligh...

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(October 08, 2020) A week long mission aboard the Nai’a Fiji Cruises to survey coral reef ecosystems in the Namena Marine Reserve and Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park. A recent expedition to Fiji’s largest two community protected areas, Namena Marine Reserve (88 km2) and Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park (110.5 km2), shows that they are making an incredible recovery from the impact of a tropical cyclone in 2016.                    Coral recruits ©Tom Vie...

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(May 17, 2020) Of the top five countries in the world most at risk to disasters, three are Pacific Island nations. Yet, Pacific Islanders time and again exhibit marked abilities to quickly recover. Part of the reason may be due to strong social networks that help to distribute resources to those most in need. A new study published in the journal Coastal Management by researchers from the University of Hawaiʿi, National Geographic Society and the Wildlife Conservation Society has found that sharing is stronger ...

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(October 03, 2019) As conservationists grapple with unprecedented levels of coral reef bleaching in the world’s warming oceans, scientists in the Indian and Pacific Oceans used the most recent El Nino of 2016 (the warmest year on record) to evaluate the role of excess heat as the leading driver of coral bleaching. A study titled “Temperature patterns and mechanisms influencing coral bleaching during the 2016 El Niño” has revealed that coral bleaching is not only a result of heat stress but...

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