Fiji’s youth-led marine park wins Global Innovation Award

Fiji is again recognised internationally, thanks to the indigenous youth-led project ‘Naidiri Marine Biodiversity Park – ‘Reconnecting with Vanua.’

The initiative has placed Fiji on the international map in the area of ocean conservation and innovation.

The ‘Naidiri Marine Biodiversity Park – ‘Reconnecting with Vanua’ won the 2nd OceanLove Innovation Award 2025 at the Blue Economy World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, last week.

The project located at Naidiri Bay, Nadroga, was established in 2009 and has defied all odds in the Education category at the record-breaking 260 submissions from 64 countries, positioning it as the world’s largest and most inclusive award dedicated to ocean-related innovation.

‘The people of Nadiri are admired for their strong community ownership, clear conservation impact, and compelling integration of Indigenous leadership in inspiring voices for a sustainable future’.

Photo: Supplied

Nadiri Youth Group leader Kevueli Malaka, 27, said it was a proud moment for Naidiri and Fiji.

“The people of Nadiri are admired for their strong community ownership, clear conservation impact, and compelling integration of Indigenous leadership in inspiring voices for a sustainable future,” Mr Malaka said.

“The project started in 2009 by co-founders Manoa Duwai and Ifereimi Manulava, who returned one afternoon from playing touch rugby and found out they would have tea with rice,” he said.

“The duo went to the bay and caught some fish, only to realise that the fish were the size of the span of their hands. Both agreed that something needed to be done now, or it would be too late. We started with an approach for a marine park at the village meeting. It was turned down because women would get squids, etc.

“The village elders then allowed it. Now the park is used by tourists and even international students who study conservation.”

He said the indigenous youth-led ocean literacy programme integrated traditional and scientific knowledge.

It empower students and communities to understand coral reef ecosystems through peer-led education, expeditions, and hands-on learning across Fiji.

“We did it for our fish consumption, and now we are doing tours and snorkeling. We have hosted a lot of university students. Here we notice there is rich biodiversity, with fish, clams, and planting of corals taking place from time to time.”

The award was collected by Gauri Salunkhe, a student studying in Sweden. She played an instrumental role in presenting the project internationally.

The entries were evaluated by a panel of internationally recognised scientists and environmental activists who generously volunteered their time and expertise to select the most innovative ideas.

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