Fiji coral reef conservation project, 1st annual report / prepared by James Comley et al.

Abstract

The shallow coastal zone of Fiji is comprised of three major, interrelated habitat types: marine algae and seagrass; large areas of mangroves; and extensive coral reefs. The marine resources include approximately 1000 coral reefs with representatives of all major reef types (Vuki et al.y 2000). Although marine biodiversity is lower than the 'coral triangle' of Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and north-eastern Australia, Fiji does support approximately 200 species of coral (Veron, 2000). Furthermore it has been estimated that Fiji has approximately 1200 marine fish species (Vuki et ai, 2000). Since taxonomic research in the country has been limited, further research will extend the known biodiversity of all marine taxa considerably.