Mangroves could save Fiji’s coastlines, Aussie experts bring new hope

A new project could be the key to protecting Fiji’s fragile coastlines from rising seas and erosion, and it starts with mangroves.

Dr Brad Henderson from the University of New South Wales in Australia is leading Project Halo, an initiative funded by Swire Shipping, that aims to restore Fiji’s coastal ecosystems using science and traditional knowledge.

Mr Henderson said the project was focused on highlighting the vital role mangroves play in protecting communities, preventing erosion, and supporting marine life.

“We’ve brought models that show how mangroves act as a natural barrier to wave energy,” he said. “They help protect communities inland and stop the soil from washing away.”

The project uses simple but powerful educational tools, including wave tanks and ecosystem displays, to teach students and the public about mangroves. The models also show the contrast between natural systems and man-made farms, like sugarcane fields, which are under threat from sea-level rise.

“In many parts of Fiji, especially low lying areas, farmland is being abandoned because saltwater is making it hard to grow crops,” Mr Henderson said. 

One solution being proposed is tidal restoration, removing floodgates and letting seawater return to degraded farmland, allowing mangroves to regrow naturally.

Although this method hasn’t been used in Fiji yet, Australia has seen great success with it, restoring thousands of hectares of coastal land.

Now, Project Halo wants to bring that success to Fiji.

The workshops are just the beginning. The team hopes to find a suitable site in Fiji soon and begin real-world restoration work.

“This isn’t just about protecting land,” Mr Henderson said. “It’s about inspiring future generations to use science to care for their home.”

With Fiji’s coastlines under threat, Project Halo could be the lifeline communities have been waiting for.