By Michele Comber | Program Manager
Dear Supporters,
Our main aim is to work with the community of Moturiki to improve the long-term sustainability of their natural marine resources. Over the last quarter we have made great progress through continuation with our long-term monitoring of the reef around Caqalai and community-led Rapid Habitat Assessments (RHAs) and marine resource management workshops in Moturiki.
The reefs are the main source of protein for the communities that live on the island and therefore are under a great deal of fishing pressure and prone to habitat destruction. To ensure that there are fishing stocks for future generations, the people of Moturiki understand that they must protect certain areas of the reef. To act as a habitat for reef creatures to thrive in, a protected area must fulfil certain criteria, be closed to fishing, and be used in a non-destructive manner. We have helped by collecting data around Caqalai, an area with low fishing pressure, to determine which areas of the reefs of Moturiki are suitable to become Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Between January and March 2020, we have trained 22 volunteers and conducted 53 surveys of the reefs around Caqalai to continue the long-term monitoring of fish, invertebrate and benthic species. A further 18 Dives Against Debris and 8 beach cleans were conducted by volunteers to support the coastal conservation around Caqalai and Moturiki. The data we collect is shared with our partner , Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) Network who collects all data from around Fiji and uses it to help them monitor and produce reports for the government which assist in implementing policies that help protect the oceans and marine life around Fiji and the South Pacific Islands.
With these actions, we work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Life Below Water which is the 14th SDG that aims to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems.
Our work could not be accomplished without our supporters and donors, so a huge thank you for all of the support so far.
A huge Vinaka Vakalevu from the team here on Caqalai!
Fiji Caqalai Marine
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