Grassroots conservation in Fiji model for the Pacific

Transcript

A grassroots fisheries conservation initiative in Fiji is being touted as a good model for the rest of the Pacific.

The 4FJ campaign aims to revive local grouper stocks, known locally as Kawakawa and Donu, by getting people to stop catching the fish during its spawning season which runs from June to September.

Over the last two years the organisations has collected more than 8500 personal pledges from individuals, community groups, celebrities and high level government and private sector organisations.

The founder of non-profit cChange which created the campaign says this represents a potential reduction in the market demand for 85,000 fish each year.

Mr Radway says he believes this simple grassroots approach to fisheries management is effective and applicable throughout the Pacific.

He spoke with Koroi Hawkins.

SCOTT RADWAY: Our most immediate measure is really just translating those pledge numbers, the number of pledges we receive through consumption surveys and so that is a way to get a feel for well if 8500 people take the pledge how many fish are they saying no to. And as you are probably aware fish consumption is quite high in Fiji and also these are prized fish. So we have really conservative estimates would be about 85,000 per spawning season that would be foregone. And really the number is quite higher because we don't have any way of really documenting the pledges in rural areas. But that is one measure. The next measure would really be research in the water. And we are supporting the fisheries department and some scientists but that takes a little bit longer to appear. And just simply they need to get into the water year after year and you will see as the pledge takes hold and behaviours change that the fish will get bigger and will get more plentiful.

KOROI HAWKINS: Now you have had some celebrity level support also for this program. How important is that aspect of this?

SR: So it really has been extraordinary and end to end and so we as you are probably aware Ben Ryan and the sevens team who have just won their second championship , world championship, they are champions for the campaign and obviously they are how well they are liked and their support in the community it does translate tremendously well to people getting behind it and listening to the ask. But as important has been fishermen coming forward and it has been a great campaign. Because you have Ben Ryan standing side by side with a fisherman and traditional chief, a hotel chef and everybody coming forward and saying this is important. And then as that has taken place we have had the private sector come forward whether it be from the upscale resorts onto companies, telecommunications companies and then retailers have all come out in support of it. So together collectively that has really had a high impact on many people that this is an important issue and something they want to get behind. It is such a simple context and it seems to be effective.

KH: Is it something you are looking to expand to other conservation areas or other islands in the region?

SR: I think we really help the fisheries department communicate in a simple and effective way. So I think it is absolutely applicable across the Pacific. In Fiji additionally what we really want to do now that we have really developed an awareness and consciousness that fish need to one, breed and that you have an impact in letting them breed. We will be transitioning into a minimum size campaign and so you can help these fish by letting them breed in these months but you can also help the rest of the fish by letting them get big enough to breed. And so I think it is a great model for the Pacific but also it's a great incremental step towards larger efforts around fisheries management.

Scott Radway says having high profile pledges like that of the Fiji World 7s Series champions team and their coach Ben Ryan has really helped in getting the message to rural communities across the country.

Spawning Kawaka (grouper) in Fiji. Photo: Paul McKenzie - 4FJ