Title
Ecosystem-Based Management Plan: Vanua Raviravi, Vuya District, Bua Province, Fiji
Author(s)
Wildlife Conservation Society, Fiji
Published
2016
Abstract
This management plan seeks to enhance the ecological value and resilience of terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine, coastal and marine ecosystems in the District of Vuya, with a focus on Vanua Raviravi and their customary fishing grounds (qoliqoli). Local communities are central to the sustainable management of these ecosystems and the plan aims to help them to address current and forthcoming challenges, including those related to climate change impacts. The planning process has been informed by scientific studies, as well as local and traditional ecological knowledge. It is anticipated that the plan will be reviewed and amended periodically to reflect monitoring results and evolving management priorities.
The management plan has been prepared on behalf of the Vanua Raviravi and the communities within. This is also a guide for the governing body that will oversee the implementation, compliance and enforcement of the current plan. This plan is the outcome of consultations with communities from the villages of Nabouwalu, Namulomulo, Wairiki and Yadua Island, which make up the Vanua Raviravi. It reflects the outcomes of the three workshops undertaken in 2013, with the final consultations held between 2014 to 2016. The first management support workshop held on 11-12 June, 2013 focused on the following topics:
• Ecosystem processors
• Development within Bua Province
• Resource mapping
• Vision and targets
• Conceptual modelling
A second workshop held in Navave village on 28-30 April, 2014 had the following objectives:
Review and confirm existing and proposed protected areas, and add any additional terrestrial, freshwater, and marine areas;
Identify potential strategies to address threats and related to climate change impacts; and
Undertake a social network analysis survey.
The final workshop held in Vuya village on the 9-11 July 2014 by which the covered topics include:
• Community involvement in ecosystem-based management;
• Refining and agreement of tabu areas and rules; and
• Develop a structure for Vuya Resource Management Committee.
The key components of this management plan are:
• A description of the management area, including the district and customary fishing ground boundaries, demographics, habitat descriptions, resource tenure, resource use and protected area boundaries;
• Discussion on habitat management issues for terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine, coastal and marine ecosystems, including habitat descriptions covering flora and fauna, endemic and endangered species and species of cultural and economic significance;
A management implementation plan, including:
• a discussion of key threats and underlying causes of those threats for each habitat;
• management rules for each habitat, including national laws and community rules;
• proposed management activities for each habitat;
• best practice management recommendations for each habitat;
• a description of key management institutions and external stakeholders;
• an explanation of management roles and processes, including preparation, implementation, amendment and review of the management plan; and
• an overview of compliance and enforcement issues.
Keywords
management plan; Fiji
Full Citation
Wildlife Conservation Society, Fiji (2016). Ecosystem-Based Management Plan: Vanua Raviravi, Vuya District, Bua Province, Fiji. Suva, Fiji: Wildlife Conservation Society, Fiji, 1-74.
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