Helen Sykeswww.marineecologyfiji.com www.waitabu.org

‘10 years of community managed marine protection

supported by ecotourism-based income generation,

at Waitabu Marine Park, Fiji Islands’

Waitabu village, Taveuni Island,

Republic of Fiji

Waitabu, a traditional Fijian village, is on Taveuni, the third largest island in

the Fijian Archipelago.

Waitabu village

Waitabu has 25 houses and 129 inhabitants, living in a

collectively owned traditional village unit.

They are financially dependant on farming cash crops

such as Dalo (Taro), and Yagona (Kava) roots crops, and

on subsistence fishing for the protein in their diet.

Socio-economics

2007: Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas (FLMMA) network socioeconomic survey:

Material wealth status of the community is average,

with an average income per household of FJ$ 150 / month

(highly variable as monthly income depends on sales of farm products)

Most people rely heavily on farming for subsistence and commercial livelihood.

1989: Bouma Heritage Park1989: Cash offered by logging company to cut hardwood in Bouma District

Locals opted to preserve the forests rather than award a logging contract:

New Zealand Overseas Development Agency (NZODA) (now NZAID)

assisted in developing the Bouma National Heritage Park

Objectives:

1. Protect the Vanua (the four communities) Bouma,

forest and ecosystems, including the marine areas of Bouma

2. To create sustainable livelihoods for the four villages

3. To preserve natural and cultural traditions where possible

4. To have projects managed by and for the local communities

Waitabu MPA started April 1998:“Tabu” declared at village level

recognition at “Tikina’ District level

recognition at Provincial Council level

Founder member of FLMMA 2001

(Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas network)

“Fish Warden” training March 2009

Biological Monitoring

Annual surveys by a mixed team of scientists and community members,

with annual training and refreshers, and youths make their own presentations to

the community

Ecological Improvements

Results: Increased fish populations within the MPA after 3 years

Increased invertebrate populations after 5 years

Coral increasing and algae being removed by fish

Tourism started in 2001

For the first 3 years the reef was left undisturbed to recover from many

years of subsistence fishing. In 2001, snorkelling tourism was started,

involving all clans within the community.

Local youths receive annual training as snorkel guides and in First Aid, and

take part in annual biological monitoring

Project is managed as a cooperative under a committee, with a Chairman,

Secretary, Treasurer and representatives from all 3 Matagalis.

There is a paid Project Manager and Receptionist.

Tourism product

Half day trip including ride to MPA on traditional Fijian Bamboo “Bilibili”,

snorkelling in MPA, tea and entertainment in village F$50

Proceeds divided up immediately to:

Snorkel Guides, Tea ladies, Boat captain and fuel

Balance to project funds

Split into traditional community commitments and

fund for children’s school fees in 3 years’ time.

Interpretation

and explanation

Guides use posters and maps to explain project before snorkel trips start

Visitor numbers and earnings to date

The park hosts an average of 15 - 20 visitors per monthTo date the Marine Park has received 2,832 visitors

and earned an estimated gross total of F$116,266, an average of FJ$745 per month

Earnings dropped in 2007 when

a reduced rate backpacker trip

was introduced.

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2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Fiji

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Estimated annual gross income (estimated total accumulated since start = FJ $116,266)

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2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013To

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Annual Visitor Numbers

Visitor numbers were boosted in

2008/9 by a bi-annual visit of a small

nature-based cruise ship.

Good ideas that have not succeeded

Reduced rate trip for backpackers

Reduced income without raising visitor numbers

Camping

A campground has been added, so far only used by monitoring teams.

There are concerns about

cultural impacts

Website

2 websites have been created,

but without regular email and

phone contacts

are not useful to create bookings

www.waitabu.org

Ideas that have succeeded

Student groups, in homestays.

More profitable, more easily organised within the

village milieu, and also more culturally sensitive.

“Volun-tourism”

International Interns stay for months in homestays

while carrying out survey work in the marine park

Facebook

Accessible to community by smart phone.

Currently posting blogs and gaining followers

Future tourism avenues

Special interest nature-tourism groups to do all 4 of the

Bouma Heritage Park trips as a package.

These will take a great deal of training and discussion amongst the

community, but should be more profitable and sustainable.

In all enterprises it is necessary to concentrate on

mechanisms to ensure that all income generation

opportunities are fairly shared between families and clans

Community perceptions

of the importance of the MPA

Community dependenceLivelihood from harvested marine resources is minimal.

Villagers are more reliant on agriculture for cash income

The important benefits and services derived from the MPA

1. Food security

2. Monetary (Tourism)

3. Future reserve for natural resources (Fish for the Children’s Future)

Tourists / visitors to the MPAImportant as a source of supplemental income

Environmental attitudes towards long-term commitment

and participation in the MPA

Positive in all community members

(FLMMA) network

socioeconomic survey 2007

Participation in biological monitoringRaises awareness of the functions of the MPA

Establishes feelings of “ownership” of project

Reinforces commitment to the project

Long term project

MPA is now permanent in people’s minds.

Children have grown up with the concept

of marine protection for the past 11 years.

Some of them are now snorkel guides in the park.

Income generation through tourismSupplementary cash income

reinforces ownership and

importance of protected area,

but it is important not to raise

unrealistic expectations and

to manage conflicts.

Reinforcement of conservation

Conclusions

Marine Conservation is very close to the hearts of Fijian people.

who often depend on subsistence fishing for protein, if not for cash income.

Involvement in MPA activities and work stronger ownership and connectedness

to the project than may be achieved if work is entirely done by an outside agency.

Tourism activities in rural communities take a great deal of work and support,

and are unlikely to contribute a large amount of income generation in early years.

Tourism can be usedto supplement income,

raise awareness and education on

environmental issues,

and reinforce the value of an MPA.

The trick is not just how to start a project,

it is how to create long-term

sustainability.

Community involvement and income

generation can help to achieve this.

Please come and see us!

Support marine conservation by visiting

Waitabu Marine Park www.waitabu.org

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