FIJI’S 6TH NATIONAL REPORT (DRAFT) to the Convention on Biological Diversity

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FIJI’S 6TH NATIONAL REPORT (DRAFT) to the Convention on Biological Diversity TH FIJI’S 6 NATIONAL REPORT (DRAFT) to The Convention on Biological Diversity 2014 – 2020 Final draft THE GOVERNMENT OF FIJI September 2020 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT The Sixth Fiji National Report is a national document produced as required under the Convention of Biological Biodiversity (CBD) Article 26 for parties to submit national reports to the Conference of the Parties on measures taken for implementation of the convention and their effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the Convention. This report was prepared by the Ministry of Environment as the focal point of the Fiji Government to the CBD. A publication of the Government of Fiji. Suggested Citation: Ministry of Environment, Government of Fiji (2020). Fiji Sixth National Report to CBD. Photo Credits: All images used with permission of Nature Fiji MareqetiViti. Acknowledgement Fiji’s 6th National Report was compiled in collaboration between Fijian Government Agencies, Non- Government Organisations, Scientists, Resource Owners, Community Groups, the Private Sector and Academic Institutions with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Table of Contents Acknowledgement ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Acronyms ................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 10 Approach Of Developing Fijis 6th National Report To CBD .......................................................................................... 11 Section I. Information and Targets being pursued at the national level ........................................................... 12 Information on targets bring pursued at national level................................................................... 12 Rationale for National Targets ........................................................................................................ 12 Section II. Implementation measures to achieve National Targets. ................................................................... 15 Focal Area 1: Improving Our Knowledge (Ik) ................................................................................... 15 Focus Area 2: Developing Protected Areas ................................................................................................................ 21 Focus Area 3: Species Management (SM) .................................................................................................................. 33 Focal Area 4: Management Of Invasive Species (Mis) ................................................................................................ 41 Focal Area 5: Enabling Environment and Mainstreaming (EEM) ................................................................................ 50 Focal Area 6: Sustainable Use And Development (SUD) ............................................................................................. 55 Section III. Assessment of progress towards each national target. .......................................................................... 70 Section IV. Description of the national contribution to the achievement of each global Aichi Biodiversity Target .. 78 Section V. Description of the national contribution to the achievement of the targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation ................................................................................................................................................... 86 Section VI. Additional information on the contribution of indigenous peoples and local communities (completion of this section is optional) ........................................................................................................................................ 91 Section VII. Fiji Updated Biodiversity Country Profiles ............................................................................................. 91 Literature Cited and References for Biodiversity Status ............................................................................................. 99 Annexe 1: Map Of Proposed Terrestrial Protected Areas For Fiji ............................................................................. 100 ............................................................................................................................................................................... 100 Annexe 2: Map Of Fiji Key Biodiversity Areas And Important Bird Areas .................................................................. 101 ............................................................................................................................................................................... 101 Annexe 3: Overview Of Fiji’s Inshore And Offshore Special And Unique Marine Areas (Suma) Sites ......................... 102 Annexe 4: Fiji 6th National Report Consultation Report ................................................................................................. Executive Summary The 6th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) reports on Fiji’s achievements and progress towards our national targets as set out in Fiji’s current National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP) 2020-2025 and Fiji’s contribution towards the Global CBD Strategy 2011 – 2020 as required under Article 26 of the CBD. There are six national targets that Fiji has set to guide the national commitments and actions towards achieving both our national and the global targets. These are Improving Our Knowledge (IK), Protected Areas Management (PA), Species Management (SM), Management of Invasive Species (MIS), Enabling Environment and Mainstreaming (EEM) and Sustainable Use and Development (SUD). The report attempts to present a national status report of our overall national progress towards meeting our national and global target and reflects our collaborations as a nation to achieve these targets. It also acknowledges the contribution from the broader community and individual commitments and achievements in biodiversity conservation and in maintaining a healthy Fijian environment. Fiji has continuously worked towards achieving the national and global targets and is reflective in this assessment. Generally, Fiji has been rated as progressing well based on the measures of effectiveness provided and category of progress. Fiji has also reported on some of the challenges and improvements required to continue to make good progress. Some of the key highlights shows strong application of our ecological/environmental and traditional knowledge and applied best practice(s) by different sectors of the Fijian community including those by school children and local community groups. Fiji has completed a Marine Ecological Gap Assessment (in 2017) and has identified 124 Special Unique Marine Areas (SUMAs) within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and has identified offshore marine areas that could be protected and contribute towards achieving the 30% Marine Protected Areas target as set out in the NBSAP. Approximately 3% of our total terrestrial areas are under some form of management and Fiji has produced a map of proposed Terrestrial Protected Areas as well (as candidate sites) that will cover approximately 13% of our total forest areas once gazetted. The engagement of local communities and their contribution in achieving our national targets cannot be underestimated in the Fijian context. The target of managing the 100% of our 410 customary fishing grounds has been rated as exceeding the target. The progress reported shows that 79% of the customary fishing grounds (inshore areas) have some form of management arrangements in place. This work is being undertaken with the support of the Yaubula Management Support Teams at provincial and local levels. All endemic species and species that are believed to be critically endangered and /or endangered are protected at various levels through the legislative framework (including through the Endangered and Protected Species Act 2002 and the Environment Management Act 2005 and subsequent regulations) and through the designated reserves and conservation work at various locations in Fiji. Species that are critically endangered and endangered are listed in IUCN’s RedList. The Ministry of Environment collaborates formally (through an MOU) with the border control enforcement agencies (including the Fiji Income Revenue and Customs Authority) to ensure that species (both marine and terrestrial) are not smuggled in and out of Fiji. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Environment launched two policies that guide the work of the Ministry in species protection and conservation work – these include the Conservation and Protection of Fiji’s Endangered Iguana Species and the Conservation and Management of Fiji’s Coral Reefs and Associated Ecosystems and is in the process of updating the species listings under the Endangered and Protected Species Act 2002. Assessment of alien and invasive species that are particularly harmful to island ecosystems have been completed, alien
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