The Great Sea Reef: Building Resilience of Fiji’s Underwater Treasure and its Communities

By Shail Joshi , Senior Program Officer, Climate Resilience and Risk Management

Coral Maze whispers,

Warm seas rise, life's fabric thins,

Nature's plea for change,

Guardians heed, and hope begins.

The boat swayed gently as we left Fiji's coastline, embarking on a journey toward the Great Sea Reef (GSR) as part of the Coral Reef Resilience (CRR) project development team’s recent expeditions in Fiji. The vastness of the Pacific Ocean stretched out before us, hiding beneath its surface a world of wonder and mystery. The GSR, locally known as Cakaulevu, is the third-largest barrier reef system in the world. As we approached, the water changed from a clear blue to a mesmerizing tapestry of cold colors, revealing the reef's intricate patterns. The GSR spans over two hundred miles parallel to the northern coast of Fiji's two largest islands, Vanua Levu and Viti Levu. Its vastness is awe-inspiring, and its beauty is unparalleled. But beyond its visual splendor lies a complex ecosystem, teeming with life – and warning signs of ecological distress due to climate change and unsustainable human activities.

The GSR is not just a collection of coral formations but a lifeline for the communities that live along its shores. One-tenth of Fiji's population relies directly on the reef's abundant marine resources for their livelihoods. Fisherfolk head out early in the morning, casting their nets and lines, while others gather freshwater mussels (locally known as Kai) from the shallow waters and prepare meals. The reef provides food, income, and protection against storms, making it an integral part of Fijian life.

However, a crisis is unfolding in the waters of our world's oceans; coral reefs are fading away at a heartbreaking pace due to climate change and unsustainable human activities. Earlier this year, in April 2024, the world witnessed the fourth global bleaching event, affecting more coral sites than ever. Rising sea surface temperatures are impacting around 75% of reefs. The issue of ocean acidification is also a concern: carbon dioxide from the air increases the acidity of the ocean waters making it tough for coral to grow and remain healthy. Large-scale improperly planned and managed human activities are adding fuel to the fire. Increased sedimentation due to agricultural run-off, unmonitored land-use practices, illegal riverbed mining, depletion of the coastal ecosystem caused by unsustainable infrastructure development, and insufficient solid-waste management are some of the key human activity-related stressors on the reefs.

But conservationists and environmentalists have not lost all hope. While climate change affects many coral reefs worldwide, some are less affected due to local ocean conditions like currents and upwelling. A global study by the University of Queensland and partners pinpointed fifty sites least exposed to climate change and well-connected to surrounding reefs. Fiji’s GSR was identified as one of them. Protecting these unique areas presents favorable environmental conditions that provide safe havens for species in a rapidly changing climate. This offers local and global opportunities to build climate resilience and reef regeneration ability globally. The Fiji government’s Coral Reef Resilience (CRR) project proposal for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) aims to reduce human activity pressures on the GSR to increase their chance of surviving the projected impacts under the RCP 4.5 scenario. The goal is to tackle policy gaps and harmonization, implement ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) solutions, and develop regenerative practices in reef-related businesses and livelihoods.

Nations worldwide must commit collectively to mitigate the rise in global temperatures and ocean acidification and achieve net-zero emissions. At the same time, crafting strategies that alleviate the impact of human activities on coral reefs reduces their vulnerability in the face of shifting environmental conditions. This endeavor calls for intricate, synchronized collaboration among governments, local communities, civil society groups, environmental planners, natural resource owners, and financial institutions. United by a shared mission, these groups must work to safeguard coral reefs, vital to the dependent communities and ecosystems.

During WWF's recent visit, we met with several government representatives and communities to understand their perspectives and gather insights into the reef's health in four provinces adjoining the GSR: Ba, Ra, Bua, and Macuata. The stories we heard were both inspiring and concerning. Communities are aware of conservation, but many struggle to adapt to changing conditions and limited adaptive capacities. Upstream activities like mining, expanding pine and mahogany plantations, overfishing, and escalating deforestation are increasing sedimentation, worsening the challenges for the reef and surrounding communities.

We also learned about the disconnect between national policies and local practices. Fiji's unique system of community land and sea ownership, known as Mataqali and Qoliqoli respectively, does not always align with provincial or national policies, complicating climate adaptation efforts. The lack of a unified vision for managing the GSR impedes large-scale adaptation efforts. Some communities have shown promising EbA approaches, such as restoring mangrove forests to protect against future storms and reduce sediment load on reef systems. However, we need coordinated efforts to address the broader challenges facing the entire ecosystem.

There are reasons for optimism. Fiji stands out for its strong conservation awareness and commitment from both the government and communities. The local passion for reefs has fostered a growing recognition within the larger communities for urgent and nature-positive action. Fiji was the first country to ratify the Paris Agreement and passed several climate-related acts, including the Environment Management Act 2005, the Climate Relocation of Communities Trust Fund Act 2019, and the Climate Change Act 2021. The CRR project uses the Ridge to Reef (R2R) approach, integrating freshwater and coastal management and emphasizing the interconnectedness of natural and social systems, from mountain ridges to coastal reefs. This approach to climate change adaptation coordinates across sectors like freshwater management, sanitation, land use, coastal livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and disaster risk reduction.

The Great Sea Reef is not just Fiji's treasure; it is a global asset. Its protection is a shared responsibility, and using nature's power, we can effectively preserve and enhance its resilience to future climate extremes for generations to come.