Current Projects
- Creating community-based conservation groups at Fiji’s key conservation sites. Click here.
- Locating important seabird colonies (Important Bird Areas) in French Polynesia and Fiji. Click here.
- Restoration of globally important seabird colonies in the Pacific by the removal of rats and other invasive predators. Click here.
- Saving the endangered parrots of the Pacific. Click here.
Creating community-based conservation groups at Fiji’s key conservation sites back to top
Funded by the UK Government Darwin Initiative ref: 162/15/019
Having identified Fiji’s IBAs, the challenge is to turn research in to action which is now being undertaken with further support from the Darwin Initiative. In 2006, a project called Community-Based Conservation Groups at Fiji’s Key Conservation Sites was initiated. The overall purpose of this project is to build the capacity of Fijian conservation professionals to conserve forest resources through the establishment of protected areas, management planning processes and monitoring frameworks. These conservation professionals will then train community members in the management of their own forest resources.
The challenges remain significant, however. Fiji has already lost the majority of its forest resources with logging, urban and agricultural encroachment and invasive alien species posing the greatest threats to these forests, often all at the same time. Logging operations disturb forest blocks while logging roads increase access by agriculture pests and alien plants and animals.
Four sites are the target of this project’s activities: three have no formal protection and one is reserved. They are:
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The Natewa / Tunuloa Peninsula on Vanua Levu, which has lowland forest and, together with the island of Taveuni, supports the only populations of the charismatic Orange Dove and Silktail. The area is under particular threat from logging;
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Nabukulevu and Kadavu East on the island of Kadavu support four bird species and several subspecies endemic to Kadavu; they are threatened by agricultural encroachment and invasive alien species; and
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Taveuni, the only formally protected area, which is under looming threat from agricultural encroachment and invasive alien species.
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Positive responses from communities and provincial governments for the development of managed or protected areas
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The establishment of Site Support Groups (community conservation groups) on the Natewa Peninsula and Nabukulevu
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The establishment of a community-declared protected area totaling about 3000ha on the Natewa Peninsula
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A management plan drafted for the statutory reserves on Taveuni
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Two university students supported to develop frameworks relating to bird populations and forest management
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The establishment of a draft monitoring framework and initial baseline
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Two fundraising workshops resulting in funding for two project concepts from the GEF Small Grants Programme and a management planning workshop were held
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Extensive awareness work in Fiji through media, community work and awareness materials
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International promotion at the 2006 British Birdwatching Fair
The challenges to conserving Fiji’s forest resources remain substantial: the causes of deforestation are deep-seated with low local capacity to manage forests. Communities, however, are often under great pressure to derive income through logging. On the hopeful side, many communities would like to manage their forests in sustainable ways, as they are often aware that forest management is related to water quality, fresh water and marine fisheries, the availability of sustainable forest products including fruits and vegetables and flood risk management.
This Darwin Initiative-funded project is building the capacity of a cohort of young Fijian conservational professionals who are developing skills that will contribute to sustainable forest management in the future. Another exciting development this year is the launch of Fiji’s first national NGO committed to terrestrial conservation: MareqetiViti/NatureFiji which is working closely with Birdlife International to develop a terrestrial conservation programme.
For further information contact:
Vilikesa Masibalavu vilikesa@birdlifepacific.org.fj and/or James Millett at james@birdlifepacific.org.fj
(back to top)Locating important seabird colonies (Important Bird Areas) in French Polynesia and Fiji back to top
Funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Centuries of over-exploitation and the impacts of introduced predators have destroyed most seabird colonies in the Pacific. The main obstacle to working with island communities and regional governments to promote protection and sustainable use of seabird islands is the chronic lack of up to date and accurate data on seabird distributions, especially of breeding colonies on islands. This project will lead to a major improvement in understanding of seabird breeding colonies in two of the most significant island groups for seabirds in the tropical Pacific, French Polynesia and Fiji. An analysis of historical survey accounts, the collection of ethno-biological information from local people – fisherfolk in particular – and an investigation of the application of remote imagery to detect and assess seabird sites, will provide extensive information on the status, threats, and management needs for important seabird breeding colonies in both countries. Click here for more information.
For more information, contact Steve Cranwell at steve@birdlifepacific.org.fj
(back to top)Restoration of globally important seabird colonies in the Pacific by the removal of rats and other invasive predators back to top
Funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation
And supported by:
The overriding factor that has driven the extirpation of seabird colonies and, in many cases, the extinction of entire bird species in the Pacific is the introduction of alien invasive predators. Three species of rat that have severe impacts on breeding seabirds have been introduced across the Pacific. Their effects are being amplified in the presence of other exotic animals; feral cats that prey on adults seabirds and chicks, pigs that dig up burrow-nesting petrels, as well as goats and rabbits that destroy native vegetation, eggs and burrows. These alien species are contributing to the demise of seabird colonies throughout the Pacific.
This two year project aims to eradicate alien invasive predators (rats and cats) threatening important seabird colonies, from 18 Pacific islands. The sites lie in four Pacific countries:
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Mabualau and the Ringgold Island group in Fiji
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Islands within the Marquesas & Tuamotu archipelagos of French Polynesia
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Islets within the Great reef of Koumac & Cap Bayes Channel New Caledonia
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The islands of Sonsorol and Fana in Palau
The work comprises an assessment of alien species, seabirds, and other island flora and fauna in preparation for the detailed planning culminating in the eradication activities for each island. Closely linked to this is the implementation of quarantine measures to prevent the re-introduction or introduction of other alien species. The project will also build stronger networks, and maximise awareness of alien invasive species and threats to seabird colonies at local and national levels. The project is being undertaken by the Pacific Partners of BirdLife International in Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Palau, and in doing so is developing in-country technical capacity and confidence in relation to alien species eradications. Together with the project that is identifying important seabird islands. Click here for more information. these approaches will enhance the prospects of long term security for these and other seabird colonies in the region.
For more information, please contact Steve Cranwell at steve@birdlifepacific.org.fj
To view BirdLife's news story about the Ringgold Islands click here.
Click here for more information.
 Phil Bender
Back from the brink: Rimitara Lorikeet has been successfully reintroduced to Atiu.
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Saving the endangered Parrots of the Pacific back to top
Funded by the British BirdWatching Fair
This project is addressing the very real threat of extinction that five Pacific parrot species currently face in three Pacific nations; French Polynesia the Rimatara (Kuhls) Lorikeet (Vini kuhlii), the Ultramarine Lorikeet (Vini ultramarina), Fiji, the Red-throated Lorikeet (Charmosyna amablis), and New Caledonia the New Caledonian Lorikeet (Charmosyna daidema) and the Uvea Parakeet (Eunymphicus uvaeenis) (all Endangered).
Although once widespread over several islands, each of these species now have their world populations concentrated on only one island. Such a restricted global distribution makes them extremely vulnerable to extinction. Other populations have been gradually brought to extinction on other islands after the colonisation of black rats. This project therefore aims to prevent further rat invasions and create new populations of these parrots on islands that were once part of the species range, in order to increase the chances of survival of these species.
The project is specifically working towards:
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Improving the conservation status of these parrot species. This is being done by specific site management and control of competitor species (Uvea Parakeet, New Caledonia) and the establishment of a satellite population in suitable and rat free islands (Rimatara Lorikeet). Click here for more information.
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Strengthening and sustaining the prevention measures against the invasion of black rats in the islands which are the last refuge to endangered parrots and other species (Ultramarine Lorikeet and Rimatara Lorikeet, French Polynesia).
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Assessing the conservation status of species which have not been located in recent years and locate the critical sites/IBAs which might still harbour them (Red-throated Lorikeet, Fiji and New Caledonian Lorikeet).
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Advancing the IBA programme in countries where capacity is currently lacking (Samoa). Click here for more information.
Overall, the project supports and develops capacity in all BirdLife network organisations involved and greatly raises awareness of the target species and their conservation issues in each respective country. Advocacy and training are a major part of this project and are integrated into all of the objectives listed above. Experience gathered through the project will be shared across the whole BirdLife Pacific network.
For more information, please contact Steve Cranwell at steve@birdlifepacific.org.fj
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