• Ocean and Islands Programme
  • Issues
  • Concerns
  • Response
• Community Lifelines Programme
  • Issues
  • Concerns
  • Response
• Community Risk Programme
  • Issues
  • Concerns
  • Response

Ocean and Islands Programme

Issues

• Management of ocean, coastal and land-based resources.
• Sustainability of ocean, coastal and island ecosystems.

Concerns

• Uncontrolled and poorly planned development practices in the past
• Unsustainable management of marine resources
• Unsustainable development of coastal zones
• Need to minimise degradation of natural resources and protect biodiversity
• Increased risk of flooding to coastal settlements
• Land degradation
• Need for increased assessment and development of onshore and offshore mineral and energy resources
• Inadequate human resources
• Limited availability of baseline data
• Lack of R & D in mineral resource development
• Bureaucracy and capital intensity deter exploratory work in mineral resources
• Lack of environmental policies and legislation
• Uncoordinated approach to environmental management
• Lack of public awareness of environmental legislation and issues

Response

• Development of practical and internationally acceptable Offshore Mineral Policy for Fiji.
• The operation and maintenance of the Research Vessel Yautalei involving a Memorandum of Understanding between the Mineral Resources Department and SOPAC.
• A coastal erosion assessment for Taqaqe Village on the Coral Coast in Nadroga, Fiji, to determine primary coastal processes, sediment sources and sinks.
• Identifying and collecting data to support the proposed extension of the continental shelf jurisdiction beyond the 200 nautical mile EEZ for Fiji.
• Multibeam mapping to select optimum site for submarine pipeline, in Kinoya, Suva.
• Sedimentation and multibeam survey of Suva Harbour.
• Hydrodynamic study for a proposed reclamation area in Lami, Fiji.
• Environmental monitoring and mapping of the Kiuva lagoon and reef system, east of Viti Levu, Fiji.
• Sedimentation and harbour morphology impacts on port development in Labasa, Vanua Levu, Fiji.
• The establishment and maintenance of a regional deep-sea minerals database.
• The Certificate of Earth Science and Marine Geology (CESMG) builds the capacity of island member nationals in the areas of applied geoscience.
• The Pacific Islands’ Global Ocean Observing System PI-GOOS seeks to ensure that relevant applications for ocean observations and resulting products from global, regional and national long-term observing systems are made available to Pacific Island end-users.
• The South Pacific Sea Level and Climate Monitoring Project provides tide gauge and other data, and related products to the region.
• SOPAC also offers assistance in the area of Ocean Governance to their member country regions, including Fiji.

Community Lifelines Programme

Issues

• Provision of foundations for healthy, productive and sustainable communities and economy (energy, water and sanitation, and ICT)

Concerns

• Barriers to the adoption of renewable energy systems.
• Need for greater self-reliance in energy and water sector.
• Lack of community awareness about energy conservation technologies and rural water supply design, construction and trained community members to operate and maintain their own schemes.
• Absence of basic infrastructure and services in rural areas [electricity, road access, reliable and safe water supply, sanitation, telecommunications, jetties].
• Increased attention is required in the operation and maintenance of water supply and sewerage systems for increased reliability and efficiency
• Lack of hydrological and geo hydrological monitoring with an active national water resources assessment policy for planning and management.
• Need to draw up and enact appropriate and practical legislation in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
• Need for access to information and communication technology services, especially in rural areas.
• Skill shortage, particularly in use of technology.

Response

• Assessment of wind energy and provision of technical assistance, training of staff and maintenance of database in this area.
• Development of alternative energy resources; improvement of community access to and awareness of these energy resources.
• The development of cost effective and suitable technology such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, intranet and internet technologies, and relevant support to the government departments concerned.
• Provision of technical advice on water and sanitation in the region: water and waste management awareness and the development of strategies to reduce vulnerability to drought.
• Review of existing policy and legislation in water, energy and relevant information and communication technologies.
• Representation of Pacific concerns at global forums and coordination of regional action plans in these areas.

Community Risk Programme

Issues

• Management of community vulnerability to natural hazards and risks, which can have devastating impacts economically, socially and environmentally.

Concerns

• Vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters
• Reduced capacity of communities to be self-sufficient in face of disasters
• Increased risk of flooding to coastal settlements
• Loss of traditional knowledge in coping with disasters
• Climate change and sea level rise
• Need for remote sensing and GIS tools
• Vulnerability of rural population in particular
• Increased risks due to urbanisation
• Lack of community awareness of risks and hazards mitigation
• Need to mainstream disaster risk management

Response

• Review of the National Disaster Management Plan and organisational arrangements in the National Disaster Management Office.
• Review of capacity of the fire and emergency services.
• A feasibility study on how to mitigate the effects of flooding of the upper Rewa River in the Wainimala Catchment.
• Promotion of mainstreaming disaster risk management through the application of Comprehensive Hazards and Risk Management (CHARM)
• CHARM national training courses and workshops
• Development of the Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI) to assess the vulnerability of countries and to assist national stakeholders in decision-making/policy to reduce vulnerabilities of Pacific communities.
• The provision of support where appropriate for Fiji Islands’ representation at international training programmes, workshops and conferences.
• The provision of post disaster technical or institutional support following the impact of disasters.