National Ocean Policy 2020 – 2030.

The Natural Ocean Policy (“NOP”) is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the policy is 10 years covering the period from 2020 to 2030. The NOP aims at securing and sustainably managing all of Fiji’s ocean and marine resources, in order to provide for a healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations. The NOP lays down strategies to (I) provide high level leadership that recognises and prioritises the importance of integrated management of ocean and associated resources as a foundation for sustainable development; (II) establish and ensure high level coordination to improve joint planning and collaborative management of Fiji's ocean and coastal resources; (III) ensure participation in planning and stewardship of all relevant stakeholders as well as fair and equitable benefits from ocean resources for all Fijians; and (IV) fulfil Fiji’s existing national and international ocean and coastal resource management commitments and provide leadership in addressing global challenges facing the ocean.
The integrated governance of the ocean will be improved to manage the ocean and its resources more effectively and promote ocean health. The NOP governance framework, including a National Ocean Policy Steering Committee, will be developed. A Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning process will be developed and implemented and a publicly available Annual Progress Report will be produced. The policies, laws and institutional arrangements will be improved to identify the existing information and gaps to inform cross-sector policy reform and strengthen decision-making. Awareness will be raised on the range of ecosystem and climate services provided by healthy, fully functioning marine ecosystems and biodiversity and the associated economic and non-economic benefits. A people-centred approach to ocean management will be promoted by sharing benefits in an equitable and inclusive way that respects rights, traditions and culture. The resilience of Fiji’s ocean to the impacts of climate change such as such as ocean warming, high intensity cyclones, heavy rainfall, sea level rise, coral bleaching and ocean acidification, will be increased. Area-based management instruments will be implemented to support sustainable ocean management. The Marine Protected Area network will be improved to enhance its contribution to improved food security, sustainable livelihoods, restoring ecosystem health and productivity, building resilience to climate change and disaster, restoring and conserving biological diversity and ecosystem services. Maritime security will be ensured by combatting multiple threats such as those from natural disaster, climate change, biodiversity loss, land and sea-based pollution, habitat destruction, and overfishing. A solid foundation will be established for sustainable development, which includes facilitating ocean-based opportunities and innovations to ensure healthy ecosystems and secure economic livelihoods. The traditional knowledge, heritage, and cultural practises will be integrated with knowledge acquired from scientific research, to provide a holistic platform that can meet the contemporary challenges of the ocean. The NOP will be managed and administered by the Climate Change and International Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Economy.