Integrated Coastal Management Framework of the Republic of Fiji 2011.

The goals of the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Framework for the coastal zone are to: maintain ecological processes and services; preserve, enhance and rehabilitate natural resources; and improve health and wellbeing of the people in Fiji. This ICM Framework reviews current coastal conditions in the context of tourism development, coral reef degradation, siltation and erosion, harvesting of marine resources, waste management, coastal reclamation and construction and natural disasters among others as well as assess the current legal and institutional governing framework so as to recommend proposals for action and policy towards sustainable coastal resource management for Fiji.
This ICM Framework lays down the coastal zone management related institutions, key legislative provisions, and other legislation relating to land tenure, natural resource management, waste management, and health. A relevant legal and institutional framework will be determined for effective coastal zone management and conservation. The policies and standards will be developed to establish conditions or restrictions on various parts of the coastal zone, as well as facilitate development in other parts. Environmental impacts assessment process will be strengthened to check on activities that threaten the coastal environment such as reclamation and construction, pollution of marine waters, and coastal erosion, as well as, to investigate on the impacts of upstream activities such as logging, agriculture and mining. The inland jurisdiction of the ICM Plan will be extended within a clearly defined watershed when appropriate (instead of merely 30m). The demarcation of zones based on the national ICM vision and its effective administration will be strengthened to facilitate coastal management decision-making and processes. The right of customary owners will be recognized to enforce restrictions on subsistence fishing marine management areas, including temporary closures of certain fishery zones, limitations on the number of fishers licenses issued, limitations and the amount of fish to be harvested, restrictions on fishing practices, and harvesting of certain species.
ICM plans will be developed at the provincial level, including a mangrove management plan as well as a coastal sensitivity atlas for disaster response planning and management. This ICM Framework addresses coastal stability, water quality, coastal quality, health of coral reefs and mangroves, coastal vegetation, seagrass, and vulnerability of coastal communities to the impacts of environmental and social changes. A National Mangrove Plan will be developed to take immediate action to ensure: stricter licensing conditions for mangrove harvesting; control of mangrove harvesting; improved coordination between regulatory authorities; identification of sensitive areas for protection; design of buildings and structures that accommodates the natural processes of coastal areas; a structure to retain the tie along the Nadi Bay taking into account the diminishing areas of entire mangrove forests in that region; and EIA processes for the long-term economic and ecologic benefits. Measures will be taken to protect coastal vegetation against coastal clearing and reclamation, unsustainable felling or plant removal, invasive species, and limited knowledge of coastal and littoral species. Natural coastal protection structures will be preserved, such as mangroves, coral reefs and sandy beaches as they appear to be the most effective in stabilising coastal areas. Coastal protection structures will be developed considering the natural coastal processes, environmental impacts, and social acceptability. Coastal populations and infrastructure will be relocated to higher ground, particularly given future projections of sea level rise due to global warming. The quality of marine and freshwater ecosystems will be conserved against overharvesting and pollution. Fiji’s inshore fisheries management will be strengthened to sustain the healthy supply of freshwater fishes, as a main source of protein and income for many villages along Fiji’s major rivers. Aquaculture sector will be developed to meet the expanding demand for fish and related products.
Key data and information requirements for sound coastal management decision-making will be identified, and an appropriate system of gathering, collection, use and management for ICM purposes will be developed. These include knowledge of: coastal areas especially prone to erosion; changes taking place in mangrove areas; definition of special coastal areas which need consideration; limits of acceptable change in major current and planned tourism areas; marine invasive species; coral reef health; wetland circulation, soil and vegetation types; appropriate and effective pollution control measures for Fiji; coastal zone evacuation plans; and marine-based pollution from vessels and shipwrecks. Furthermore, funding opportunities will be sought to support the development of a full ICM Plan.