The 2024 Ecological and Socio-Economic Vulnerability and Opportunity Assessment (ESVOA) report focuses on the Navua Basin and Beqa Lagoon in Fiji. The report aims to provide a database and implementation logic for Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) activities to be integrated into the Integrated Ecosystem Management Plan (IEMP).
Priority EbA options include:
- Reforestation and vegetation restoration: To reduce erosion, improve soil quality, and enhance ecosystem resilience.
- Coral reef and mangrove restoration: To create coastal protection shields, stabilize shorelines, and promote biodiversity for aquatic species.
- Alternative livelihood training: Diversifying income sources (such as ecotourism and aquaculture) to reduce dependence on overexploited natural resources.
- Establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Protecting vital habitats and maintaining the sustainability of fisheries resources.
- Environmental buffer zones: Establishing buffer zones between intensive agriculture and sensitive ecosystems to mitigate negative impacts.
The report emphasizes that these activities need to be viewed through the lens of Gender, Equity, Persons with Disabilities and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). Implementation requires addressing key challenges regarding customary land use rights, the need for sustained funding, enforcement monitoring, and risks from natural disasters. Project success depends on strong community engagement, sensitivity to social barriers, and the building of strategic partnerships to ensure long-term sustainability.
