In Fiji’s waters, the Lau Seascape stands as a unique meeting point of traditional wisdom, contemporary conservation and development. As we commemorate World Oceans Day, let’s shine a light on this special place.

Here, Conservation International (CI) Fiji, the Vanua o Lau, and the Fijian Government have come together to protect this precious marine jewel.

The Lau Seascape is a maritime marvel covering a quarter of Fiji’s sovereign ocean area. It is a swirling mosaic of marine life, coral reefs, and aqua-blue waters, it is a hub of biodiversity, possessing countless untold stories of the deep sea.

In 2017, new species were found during a CI marine expedition – some species that were new to science and exist nowhere else in the world.

The Lau Seascape also boasts reef areas with 80% live coral cover with 200 hard coral species, 527 fish species and many marine species such as sea turtles, sharks, and whales.

The island chain is also a waypoint for migrating marine species like whales, mantas and its reefs are a breeding ground for both the endangered green and hawksbill turtles.

Yet, as brilliant as it is, under the mesmerizing waves; climate change, overfishing and other threats lurk, potentially impacting not just the environment, but the people who depend on it – which makes the protection of the seascape much more vital.

In an endeavor to protect this ecosystem, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in 2016 between CI Fiji and the Bose Vanua o Lau, laying the foundation for the development of the Lau Seascape Strategy 2018-2050.

This important agreement served as a starting point and provided the necessary framework for the subsequent strategic planning and conservation efforts within the Lau Seascape.

This work forms a critical pillar, contributing to Fiji’s national commitment to protect 30% of Fiji’s oceans and manage 100% of its marine resources by 2030.

However, what makes this effort truly inspiring is the central role of the indigenous community. They are the custodians of the seascape, their lives intricately woven with the rhythm of the sea.

Equipped with an intimate knowledge of the marine environment and recognising the Divine Creator, these ‘Blue Guardians’ are an indispensable part of the conservation journey.

CI’s mission thrives on this unique blend of indigenous wisdom and scientific understanding. They empower local communities, fortifying them with necessary tools and resources to become stewards of their marine resources.

The community participates actively in decision-making, helping contribute to national policies that will ensure the preservation of their precious marine heritage.

The contributions of these indigenous champions do not end with policy and decision-making. They serve as the frontline of protection and conservation efforts, monitoring the health of marine life, overseeing sustainable fishing practices, and actively partaking in restoration initiatives.

Their role is the living embodiment of the maxim ‘Think globally, act locally’.

As such, the Lau Seascape initiative tells a tale of unity, spiritual faith, resilience, and empowerment. It’s a real-world testament of the adage ‘in unity there is strength’. By incorporating traditional wisdom with scientific rigor, this initiative pioneers a conservation model that could be emulated worldwide.

As we celebrate World Oceans Day, it’s important to remember that our oceans are a collective heritage, a shared responsibility. The Lau Seascape initiative underlines the power of local action in global commitments.

The work of the indigenous community of Lau, supported by CI, the Fiji government, and other Lau Seascape Conservation partners, is not just preserving a seascape; they are charting the path for future marine conservation efforts worldwide, bolstering Fiji’s 30×30 commitment, and proving that every one of us has a role to play in safeguarding our blue planet.

By: Priya Chand

• Strategic Communications Manager, Conservation International Fij