RaLand / SeaScape [PDF] - Wildlife Conservation Society

Vision for the FutureWCS’s vision for the Vatu-i-Ra Land/Seascape is healthy,resilient forests that are connected to and sustain rivers,mangroves and coral reefs, and where coral reefs teem withwhales, turtles, sharks, humphead wrasse, and abundantfood fishes that are managed to support livelihoods andFijian culture.Our vision directly supports the Fiji government’s 2005 commitment to protect30% of its marine areas and 40% of its remaining natural forest. To attain this vision,we shall hold ourselves accountable for the following ten-year conservation objectives:nnnnnPopulations of humphead wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, white tip reef shark,and vesi tree are maintained at least at their present abundance.Highly migratory freshwater gobies are maintained at current levels.Size and abundance of commercially important blue-spotted coral trout andgiant clam increase by 20%.There is a 10% increase in frequency of sightings of humpback whales andgreen and hawksbill turtles, bolstered by formal protection of their migratorypathways.Marine areas under no-take protection increase by ten times and cover 30% ofeight large fishing grounds of Vatu-i-Ra.Highly threatened turtles, whales, sharks, humphead wrasse, bumphead parrotfish,and vesi trees are powerful icons of Fijian culture. Their presence is a strong measureof the health of this ecosystem, while gobies, migrating from the highest mountainstreams all the way to the sea, highlight intact connections across the Land/Seascape.WCS will measure success by the status of these key species over the coming decade.We will have realized our vision when:nnnnLocally managed networks of representative and interconnected protected areaseffectively conserve priority species and sites across Vatu-i-Ra.Fiji’s government and extractive industries apply knowledge based on WCSresearch to policy, legislation, and best practices.Vatu-i-Ra is sustainably financed and the benefits of conservation are sharedequitably.Communities are empowered to be effective stewards of Vatu-i-Ra throughenvironmental education and capacity building.Clockwise from top: WCSenvisions Vatu-i-Ra teemingwith iconic species such as thehawksbill turtle (top), whitetipreef shark (middle), andhumphead wrasse (bottom).Middle right: Mangrovesprovide essential habitat forjuvenile fish and seabirds andhelp secure fishing-basedlivelihoods. Middle left:Shimmering soft corals drawdive tourists and researchersfrom around the globe.6