Galoa, Fiji - Coral reefs are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet, supporting a myriad of marine life and providing crucial ecosystem services to millions of people worldwide. 

However, coral reefs are facing unprecedented threats, including climate change, overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction. 

In response to these challenges, initiatives such as Investing in Coral Reefs and the Blue Economy project have emerged, aiming to not only conserve these ecosystems but to also sustainably harness their economic potential through community engagement and the provision of blended finance solutions. 

The Investing in Coral Reefs and the Blue Economy project is a joint initiative between the Joint Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Fund and the Global Fund for Coral Reefs that seeks to create a blended finance facility to mobilize private and public investment capital for initiatives that have a positive impact on Fijian coral reefs and the communities that rely on them. 

The long-term ambition of the project is to improve economic opportunities and lessen environmental impacts to 70,000 people living in some of Fiji’s most-vulnerable coastal communities. 

It is through this project that a partnership was established between the new Fiji Shark Lab, Galoa Village in Serua, Fiji’s Ministry of Fisheries and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji, exemplifying the integration of conservation efforts with socio-economic development. 

Recognizing the economic potential of coral reefs, the concept of the blue economy has gained prominence. The blue economy emphasizes sustainable development through the conservation and responsible use of marine resources, integrating economic growth with environmental protection and social inclusion. 

The Blue Economy continues to play an important role in providing food, jobs, and establishing livelihoods for millions of people around the world – particularly here in the Pacific – with our oceans estimated to generate up to US$3 trillion in economic activity each year at the global level by 2030.

Looking at Fiji alone, the country's Exclusive Economic Zone is 70 percent larger than its landmass and is ranked as the 26th largest sovereign ocean space in the world. Fiji is also home to close to four percent of the world’s coral reefs and over 65,000 hectares of mangroves that make up some of the many features of the country’s rich marine biodiversity.

The above serves as the impetus for why we should be investing in the protection of our coral reefs, with healthy reefs fundamental to the prosperity of coastal communities and their economies. 

Helping protect their own backyard

Galoa Village, nestled along the coastline adjacent to the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, is a small, coastal community whose livelihoods are intricately linked to the health of the marine environment. 

Fishing is the primary source of income for the villagers, providing sustenance and economic opportunities for generations. However, unsustainable fishing practices and environmental degradation threaten to jeopardize the long-term viability of Galoa's marine resources, threatening the community's well-being.

Most recently, through the facilitation of Beqa Adventure Divers, a fish warden training was conducted by the Ministry of Fisheries, equipping 10 village members with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and safeguard their fishing grounds, including the renowned reserve – one of Fiji's four gazetted marine protected areas.

Village Head man, or Turaga ni Koro, Adre Tabuivalu was adamant that the training was necessary, enabling village members to be enforcers of the law and to effectively protect their fishing arounds.