Fiji’s plan to conserve and sustainably manage 30 per cent of its marine areas by 2030 is a serious national policy aimed at protecting both the environment and the economy.
Opening the 30×30 Data Working Group meeting in Suva, Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Alitia Bainivalu told representatives that the country’s ocean is not only a natural resource but it’s also our national identity.
“Our ocean is our heritage, our food basket, and a foundation of our economy,” she said. “Decisions must be careful, balanced and based on science and practicality.”
She said Fiji’s conservation plan will build on existing fisheries management systems developed over decades. These systems help the country meet international obligations under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and ensure responsible use of marine resources.
Bainivalu stressed that the 30×30 target will strengthen, not undermine the current fisheries management while noting that the “conservation and sustainable use can work together when guided by credible science, strong data, and realistic planning.”
Fiji’s fisheries sector supports jobs, generates national revenue, and provides food for communities.
She also highlighted Fiji’s long-standing commitment to sustainable ocean management.
The country strengthened its legal framework through the Offshore Fisheries Management Act 2012 and its 2014 regulations, which established systems for licensing, monitoring, compliance, and enforcement.
“If we get this right, Fiji can demonstrate that environmental protection and economic development can coexist,” the minister said.
The Government aims to use the 30×30 initiative to secure marine resources for future generations while maintaining sustainable use today.
Fiji’s 30×30 target aligns with a global agreement adopted in 2022 under the Convention on Biological Diversity, where countries committed to protect 30 percent of the world’s land and ocean by 2030 to slow biodiversity loss and strengthen climate resilience.
Pacific Island countries have been strong supporters of ocean protection because their economies and cultures depend heavily on marine resources. Regional leaders have repeatedly emphasised ocean stewardship through cooperation platforms such as the Pacific Islands Forum, which promotes sustainable fisheries, climate action, and ocean governance across the Pacific.
The push for expanded ocean protection also comes as Pacific nations face increasing pressure from climate change, overfishing, and marine pollution, all of which threaten fish stocks, coastal food security, and island economies.
