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A collaborative approach to integrate science into
traditional management of coral reefs in Navakavu,
Fiji
Leo Dutra∗2,1, Asakaia Balawa3, Manuela Taboada1,4 , Adi Levu5, Marta Ferreira1, Kelly
Brown1, Namrata Chand1, Semiti Lovo1, Krystelle Lavaki1, George Naboutuiloma1,
Kimberley Samson1, Rufino Varea1, Jameel Thompson1, Ilva Sporne1, Davi Candido6,
Katie Motson7, Ingrid Van Putten8, Alifereti Tawake3, Etika Sokowaqanilotu3, and
Jeremy Hills9
2CSIRO Oceans Atmosphere (CSIRO OA) – Queensland BioSciences Precinct (QBP), 306 Carmody
Rd, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
1The University of the South Pacific, Faculty of Science, Technology and the Environment, School of
Marine Studies (USP - FSTE/SMS) – School of Marine Studies, FSTE The University of the South
Pacific, Laucala Bay Road — Suva, Fiji
3Fiji Locally Mananged Marine Area Network (FLMMA) – 3 Ma’au Street, Suva, Fiji
4School of Design, Creative Industries Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (School of Design,
QUT) – School of Design — Creative Industries Faculty — Queensland University of Technology
Gardens Point, D Block, Level 3, Room D313 — 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
5Transcend Oceania - Facilitation community engagement – Lot 1, Naseakula road, Labasa, Fiji
6Federal University of Santa Catarina, Laborat´orio de ambientes recifais – Florian´opolis, Brazil
7ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University – Townsville, Australia
8CSIRO Oceans Atmosphere (CSIRO OA) – Castray Esplanade, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004,
Australia
9The University of the South Pacific, Faculty of Science, Technology and the Environment, Institute of
Marine Resources (USP - FSTE/IMR) – Institute of Marine Resources, FSTE The University of the
South Pacific, Laucala Bay Road — Suva, Fiji
Abstract
Coral reefs are critical for securing food resources and generating income in Fiji. How-
ever, reef ecosystems and the people they support are currently at risk from multiple threats,
such as poor land-use practices, overfishing, pollution, destruction of habitats for develop-
ment, and adverse climate change effects. Understanding how socio-ecological reef systems
(SES) function and respond to threats is critical. This paper describes a community-led
approach that links science and traditional practices to support management decisions in
Navakavu, a SES located 15km west of Suva (capital of Fiji). The approach involves (a)
understanding links between reefs and people, (b) measuring sedimentation/pollution on the
reefs, (c) understanding governance structures to effectively support decisions, and (d) us-
ing design-thinking to communicate research findings in a way that is meaningful to local
∗Speaker
sciencesconf.org:ipfc10:164106
communities and their leaders. Preliminary results indicate healthy corals but overfished
reefs (despite improvements since the establishment of no-take area >10 years ago), with
low sedimentation rates during survey period (04/2016-06/2017), and plastic in sediments,
water column and fish guts. Interestingly, pipefish (Corythoichthys intestinalis ) abundance
is relatively high as well as the proportion of pregnant to non-pregnant males, indicating
the area is potentially a breeding/nursery ground. Seagrasses have substantially expanded
in the last 10 years probably due to nutrient enrichment. These results were presented at
community workshops where villagers could steer the research program, identify community
needs, discuss and co-design management actions and communication material. Our ap-
proach has supported management by providing reef information which helped reprioritise
actions such as the need to stop poaching and to manage garbage disposal. Also, there was
a revival of women’s groups–as part of the traditional governance structure. The women
initiated action to manage plastic waste by producing crafts through upcycling and sewing
techniques workshopped as part of the project. Research results were also used to request
more frequent council garbage collection and initiated internal discussions about establish-
ing a local reef-tourism venture. By linking science and traditional practices, our approach
helps build socio-ecological resilience by reinforcing local identities and fitting conservation
measures into everyday life and activities that have been used in Fiji for generations.