FIJI COUNTRY PROGRAM 2015

environmental issues that are relevant to the Pacific and two 15 second public service messages
on the Vatu-i-Ra Seascape were produced to be broadcasted simultaneously.
Documentary screening: Throughout 2015, a 26 minute documentary ‘Roots to Happiness’ was
distributed extensively to communities within the Vatu-i-Ra Seascape as well as played on intercity
and town transport company Sunset Buses (Fiji) Limited. It was also shown onboard Fiji’s
leading inter-island ferry service Patterson Brothers Shipping Company Limited and on visiting
ocean cruise liners through Pacific Agencies (Fiji) Limited.
Suva marathon: In August, 2015 the South Pacific’s biggest road race, the Suva Marathon
selected the Vatu-i-Ra Seascape as one of its champion causes. For the event WCS engaged 60
prominent Fijians from the media, sports, and nature conservation sectors to show their
support for the Vatu-i-Ra by running in seascape-branded gear.
In the media: Throughout 2015 Fiji Program engaged with the media to highlight conservation
efforts through nine press releases which focused on the Vatu-i-Ra Seascape, marine spatial
planning, fish size maturity, national marine priorities and typology for protected areas. This
garnered coverage on print, radio, television and online media.
Communications partnerships: The Fiji Program has strengthened its partnership with SeaWeb’s
Asia Pacific Program, a communication specialist based in Suva, to get more stories from the
seascape into print, radio, TV, and social media platforms in 2015. These included stories on
spatial planning, offshore MMAs, integrated coastal management, community-based
enforcement efforts, and fisheries.
Online presence: There are currently three websites which attracted 12,000 visits this year, 83%
of which were unique visits predominantly from Fiji and 119 countries worldwide. This figure
suggests that there is a growing number of Fijians outside the conservation sector that are
accessing information on natural resource management.
Eco – adventures map: Following the production of a map that highlighted 33 sites that are
generating revenue for communities, Tourism Fiji placed the online version of the map on its
website as plans progress for an Android mobile application version which will be made
available via Google Playstore.
New WCS logo: In November 2015, WCS launched its new logo as part of its 2020 plan to raise
its visibility and increase its recognition as the leading wildlife conservation organization. Fiji
rolled out the new brand identity and logo across all its communications platforms.
LINKS TO NATIONAL PRIORITIES:
This work supports NBSAP Implementation Plan Thematic Area 5 (Species Conservation),
Strategy 5: Improved communication amongst stakeholders (including communities) on
threatened and endangered species; Strategy 4: Share best practices and lessons learned to
improve management effectiveness and governance.
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