Effectiveness of marine protected area networks in traditional fishing grounds of Vanua Levu, Fiji, for sustainable management of inshore fisheries

Abstract

Research for this study was carried out under a four-year project to assist communities in Kubulau district and Macuata Province of Vanua Levu to establish networks of marine protected areas within their large, traditional fishing grounds (qoliqoli). From 2005-2009, underwater visual census (UVC) surveys of fish size and abundance and benthic habitat condition were carried out at 5 MPAs in Kubulau (2 small, village-managed (tabu) areas: Yamotu Lase, Nakali; 3 large, district-managed no-take MPAs: Namena, Namuri, Nasue), while 3 large tabu areas were surveyed in Macuata qoliqoli in 2008 (Cakaulevu, Talai-i-Lau, Vatuka). Reef fish species richness was surveyed in Kubulau in 2009 and compared against values observed from the Great Sea Reef in Macuata in 2004.