Fiji

Fiji has an active National Disaster Management Plan and a Natural Disaster Management Act.

Fiji is located in one of the most vulnerable locations for natural and environmental disasters in the world. An average of one to two cyclones hit the country every year and floods and flash floods resulting from climate change have become a common occurrence. Over the last decade, the damage caused by tropical cyclones alone has been estimated at more than USD $500 million and more than 100 lives have been lost. Tropical Cyclone Ami, which struck the Northern and Eastern Divisions in 2003, caused social and economic losses of more than USD $100 million, while the floods in April 2004 caused damages estimated at more than USD $30 million. An urgent and critical area for further development is in reducing Fiji’s vulnerability to geological hazards. The catastrophic consequences of such events coupled with their unpredictability translate into a need for constant preparedness.

Fiji has a Fisheries Act in place toward protecting its coastal and marine resources.

The coastal areas of Fiji are of vital importance since most urban centres and a vast majority of villages are located on the shore, as is much of the population, agricultural sector, industry and commerce. Rapid coastal development and increasing utilisation of coastal resources has resulted in various impacts on the coastal environment, such as loss of habitat and biodiversity, inappropriate solid waste management, mismanagement of chemical wastes, pollution of air and waterways, and land degradation, among other problems. The fisheries sector accounts for 2.7% of GDP and 9.7% of domestic export earnings annually on average. Fishing in Fiji generates an estimated 22,000mt annually, while the average in the last 10 years has topped 24,000mt. Industrial fisheries contribute 84% of total export earnings while artisanal fisheries contribute 16% of export earnings.

Fiji’s First and Second National Reports on UNCCD Implementation were submitted in 2000 and 2002 respectively. Fiji’s Draft National Action Plan on Combating Desertification was completed in 2006. Fiji also has a National Rural Land Use policy and plan, as well as a Forest Policy and National Forest Programme.

Land is an important factor in the development of the economy. The burgeoning population over the past 40 years has increased demand for agricultural land and has consequently put a significant amount of pressure on arable land availability. This has resulted in land degradation, reduced productivity, lower yields, reduced food security and an increase in poverty. Much of Fiji’s arable land has been taken up for housing, industrial and commercial developments. In Fiji, agriculture is generally organized along commercial lines, although the subsistence sector remains important. Large-scale agriculture comprises mainly palm oil, coconut, sugarcane, cocoa and coffee plantations, and beef cattle. Fiji’s forest resources cover an area of approximately 870,000 hectares, or about 47 percent of Fiji’s total land area. Plantation forests, mainly pine and mahogany, account for 13 percent of total forest area. Deforestation is becoming a threat to Fiji’s biodiversity. The forestry sector on average accounts for 1.2% of GDP and 4.1% of export earnings.

Fiji has an active Tourism Development Plan 2007-2016 to promote sustainable development of the tourism sector.

Tourism in Fiji encompasses a myriad of partnerships between a diverse range of private sector businesses, communities and government. It has grown steadily over the past few years, following its recovery from a significant decline after the 2000 coup with growth in visitor numbers and economic contribution and a strong investment in infrastructure. The 2007 census recorded that 21,460 people, or 2.6% of the total population, are working in the tourism industry. The industry contributes around 18.4 % of GDP, with $741.7 million earnings in 2006 and estimated tax revenue to the government of $140 million.