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3.36. The forest sector is also shaped by global and environmental programmes for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The areas identified under the REDD+ [Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation] project not only protects Fiji's Forests but boosts financial capacity through carbon trade mechanisms. There is currently a total of 16 Forest Reserves (Yarawa, Suva/ Namuka Harbour, Naboro, Savura, Colo I Suva, Maranisaqa and Wainiveiota, Qoya, Vago, Draunibota, Buretolu, Nadarivatu, Saru Creek, Lololo, Wabu, Korotari, Taveuni) covering a total area of 13,191.72 ha and a total of 8 Nature Reserves Listing (Labiko, Vuo Island, Nadrivatu, Tomanivi, Naqaranibuluti, Ravilevu, Kiobo and Vunimoli) that covers a total land area of 5752.28 ha.

3.37. A 5-year Emission Reduction Programme Agreement (ERPA) signed between the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility of the World Bank and the Fiji Government enhances Fiji's tree planting programme, restoring ecosystem services and natural wealth in 20 Emission Reduction Programme sites. Apart from contributing to climate change mitigation, this Programme has the potential to generate up to USD 12.5 million (approximately FJD 26 million) in results-based payments for increasing carbon sequestration and reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. It aims to reduce emissions by 2.5 million tonnes over 5 years.

3.38. Overall, the Fiji Government's strategy is to establish a sustainable life cycle management, improve socio-economic impact of forests, and invest in the diversification and value-addition of forest products. The Government also aims to improve forest research and publication of validated research, ensuring that its initiatives are guided by science. The Ministry of Forestry through its Research Division (FRD) shifted its research focus and priorities from timber-focused management to far greater focus on protection, conservation and multiple-use management that gives attention to a wide range of goods and services.

3.42. The fisheries sector is crucial to Fiji's economy; however, the sustainable development of the industry is impeded by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the impacts of climate change, natural disasters (warmer climate), instances of overfishing, and exploitation of inshore fishing communities. The Government policy has been focused on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, implementing sustainable fisheries management, enhancing Fiji's food security, harnessing the full potential of Fiji's aquaculture and inshore fisheries, marine biodiversity conservation, and effective disaster management.

3.43. (...) Concerns raised by the private sector are that foreign fishing fleets from Distance Water Fishing Nations (DWFN) are dominating offshore fishing in the Pacific and that they benefit from high subsidies received from their governments. The viability of Fiji's domestic tuna industry is under threat because of the catches of these foreign fishing vessels. Future viability of the tuna industry in Fiji is at risk as climate models indicate that albacore will migrate further south while bigeye and yellowfin tuna will move eastward. It is critical for Fiji's domestic tuna industry to improve its efficiency and foreign fisheries subsidies are controlled to cushion the impact of climate change and position the industry for future growth.

3.45. The National Ocean Policy (2020–2030) sets out how Fiji will meet its international, regional, and national commitments on oceans and progression to the integrated management of Fiji's entire EEZ [the exclusive economic zone] by 2030. The policy aims to achieve 5 % marine protected areas within Fiji's EEZ by 2024, with eventual expansion to reach 30 % of the country's waters by 2030. The policy also supports greater inclusion of women in ocean management and to restore and maintain the health of Fiji's ocean areas, provide food security, guide the management and development of sustainable fisheries within the offshore, inshore and aquaculture sub-sectors, as well as creating more ecotourism opportunities. The marine protected areas will need to be carefully considered and balanced with the needs of the industry to ensure its sustainability.

3.46. Fiji is also signatory to other key conventions and protocols that are geared towards addressing loss of biodiversity resources such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the Nagoya Protocol, Wetlands Convention, Convention on Biological Diversity and Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). Implementation through policy and/or legislative instruments has been slow. Operationalization has met capacity challenges for lead agencies including vague policy directions, funding constraints and limited technical capacity. In 2019, Fiji ratified the Port State Measures Agreement to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU caught fish landing in Fiji's ports. As already noted, Fiji reinforced its support for a 10-year moratorium on deep sea mining (2020 to 2030) at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal in 2022.

3.47. It is widely acknowledged that fisheries subsidies contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. Fiji actively participated in the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations on the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies that aims to discipline subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing and to eliminate subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. If the 'second wave' of the negotiations are successfully concluded, a major step forward will be taken to ensure sustainable ocean fishing and securing the future of Fiji's fishing industry.

3.49. In 2016, the industry [tourism] was adversely affected by the devastation caused by tropical Cyclone Winston. The wrath of the cyclone led the Fiji Government to re-examine its approach to sustainable growth, specifically in the tourism sector. The result was the development of Fijian Tourism 2021, a 5-year development plan for the sustainable growth of the sector and the aim of making tourism a FJD 2.2 billion industry. (...) All elements of the plan had sustainability at the core.

3.52. To maintain the sustainable growth of the industry [tourism], the Fiji Government is working towards a new National Sustainable Tourism Framework that will serve as a successor to the Fijian Tourism 2021 Development Plan.