Integrated Ocean Policy in Fiji in the Context of Blue Economy
An Integrated Ocean policy in the context of the blue economy of a Pacific island country such as Fiji refers to the sustainable use of resources derived from the ocean to promote economic growth while protecting the marine environment. The blue economy is based on using the ocean sustainably to create jobs, grow the economy, and protect the environment. It is an integral part of Fiji’s economy, as it is estimated that the ocean contributes around F$ 1.3 billion to the country’s GDP (Singh et al., 2020). Fiji’s economy includes fisheries, tourism, transport and shipping, minerals and energy, and biotechnology. The deductions made in the paper aim to set out a process of creating an integrated coastal zone Policy in Fiji.
The Importance of an Integrated Ocean Policy
An Integrated Ocean Policy is essential because it will provide a strategic framework for the sustainable development and management of ocean resources. It will help to ensure that Fiji’s ocean resources are consistent with international obligations and consider the rights and interests of all stakeholders. The rules and regulations provide a mechanism for mainstreaming ocean considerations into national planning and decision-making. This will help to ensure that the development of Fiji’s ocean resources is undertaken sustainably and that the benefits are shared equitably. Implementing an ocean policy is essential for Fiji to protect the country’s marine environment and ensure the sustainable use of its ocean resources (Singh et al., 2020).
The Uses of the Pacific Ocean in Fiji
The ocean plays a significant role in the country’s economy and culture. The ocean is the primary source of food and income. Fishing is the main industry in Fiji; hence the ocean is home to various fish species caught and sold locally and internationally (Singh et al., 2020). The ocean provides beautiful beaches and clear waters that attract visitors and thus play an essential role in developing the tourism industry in Fiji. For many Fijians, the ocean is a place of spiritual importance and is seen as a source of life (Fache et al., 2022). The ocean is also a place of recreation and relaxation since it is a popular destination for swimming, surfing, and snorkeling.
Problems Associated with the Use of Ocean Resources
There are many issues associated with the ocean in Fiji. These include overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Overfishing is a significant problem, leading to a decline in fish stocks. This is a problem for those who rely on fishing for their livelihoods and the ocean’s health (Yadav & Gjerde, 2020). Pollution from land-based sources, such as agriculture and mining, is considered a significant issue. This pollution causes damage to coral reefs and other marine ecosystems. Climate change is a significant threat to the ocean in Fiji. Climate change leads to an increase in the sea levels of the oceans, which results in the erosion of beaches.
Overfishing
Overfishing is the removal of fish from the population faster than they can replenish themselves. This can severely affect the fish population’s health and the marine ecosystem. In Fiji, overfishing is caused by a variety of factors. The use of destructive fishing practices: such as bottom trawling, which involves dragging a large net along the seafloor, often results in the capture of non-targeted species, such as turtles, and the destruction of coral reefs. The second factor that has caused overfishing is the increased demand for fish. The growth of the globe’s population has led to a demand for fish as a source of fishing. This has led to an increase in commercial fishing in Fiji. Lastly, Fiji’s lack of effective fisheries management has led to overfishing (Fache & Pauwels, 2020). There are no regulations in place to prevent overfishing. This means fishermen can catch as many fish as they want without considering the long-term consequences.
Overfishing can have several negative consequences for a region’s environment and economy. In the case of Fiji, overfishing has contributed to the decline of many fish stocks, including those of commercially important species such as snapper and tuna (Harding et al., 2022). This has, in turn, led to a decrease in the number of fish available for commercial and subsistence fishing, which has negatively impacted the livelihoods of many people in Fiji who depend on fishing for their income. In addition, overfishing has also resulted in the depletion of crucial coral reef habitats, which provide critical ecosystem services such as food and shelter for fish and other marine creatures. This, in turn, can lead to a decline in the overall health of coral reefs and the animals that depend on them. The negative impacts of overfishing are not only felt by the environment and the economy but also by the people of Fiji, who rely on fish for their livelihoods and food security.
Fiji Overfishing Integrated Coastal Policy
Identifying key stakeholders is the first step in creating an integrated policy. Key stakeholders are the essential groups to consult with in the development of the Policy (Mensah, 2019). The key stakeholders include Fishers, coastal communities, environmental groups, and the government. It is essential to involve stakeholders because they provide different perspectives on the issue of overfishing, thus ensuring the policy developed is effective and acceptable to all parties. Once the stakeholders have been identified, it is important to consult with them to get their input on the issue. This consultation could take the form of focus group discussions, surveys, or interviews and would take approximately four months.
The second step would be conducting a needs assessment to identify the specific issues and challenges that need to be addressed. This information can be used to develop objectives for the Policy. Once objectives have been established, the next step is identifying the different options for achieving these objectives. This can be done through research on various sources and consultation with experts. Such resources might include reliable data on the status of fish stocks, the socioeconomic impacts of fishing, and the ecological importance of coral reefs. In terms of experts, input from fishermen and scientists would be essential to understand the issues at hand and develop a practical and effective policy.
Once the different options have been identified, it is crucial to consider the costs and benefits of each option. This will help to identify the most cost-effective and efficient option. Once a decision has been made, the next step is to develop the Policy. This should be done in consultation with all stakeholders to ensure everyone is on board with the Policy. Once the Policy has been developed, it is important to implement it in a practical and achievable way. This includes creating enforcement mechanisms and monitoring systems.
I would not adopt a policy from somewhere else. There are many reasons why adopting a policy from somewhere else when formulating a policy on sustainable fishing activities is not advisable. One reason is that the Policy may not be appropriate for the area in which it is being implemented (Kroetz, Nøstbakken and Quaas, 2022). Another reason is that the Policy may not be supported by the local community, which could lead to its failure. Additionally, the Policy may not be based on the best available scientific evidence, which could negatively affect the environment and the local economy.
References
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Fache, E. and Pauwels, S. (2020). Tackling coastal ‘overfishing’ in Fiji: advocating for indigenous worldview, knowledge, and values to be the backbone of fisheries management strategies. Maritime Studies, 19(1), pp.41–52.
Fache, E., Piovano, S., Soderberg, A., Tuiono, M., Riera, L., David, G., Kowasch, M., Pauwels, S., Breckwoldt, A., Carrière, S.M. and Sabinot, C. (2022). ‘Draw the sea…’: Children’s representations of ocean connectivity in Fiji and New Caledonia. Ambio.
Harding, S., Marama, K., Breckwoldt, A., Matairakula, U. and Fache, E. (2022). Marine resources and their value in Kadavu, Fiji. Ambio.
Kroetz, K., Nøstbakken, L. and Quaas, M. (2022). The Future of Wild-Caught Fisheries: Expanding the Scope of Management. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, 16(2), pp.241–261.
Mensah, J. (2019). Sustainable development: Meaning, history, principles, pillars, and implications for human action: Literature review. Cogent Social Sciences, [online] 5(1).
Singh, S., Bhat, J.A., Shah, S. and Pala, N.A. (2020). Coastal resource management and tourism development in Fiji Islands: a conservation challenge. Environment, Development and Sustainability.
Yadav, S.S. and Gjerde, K.M. (2020). The ocean, climate change and resilience: Making ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction more resilient to climate change and other anthropogenic activities. Marine Policy, p.104184.