The Coral Coast on the edge: Re-inventing governance in Fiji

Pacific Ecologist (in press)

Uncertain times: Why interest in coral reefs is transforming traditional communities

When political uncertainty gripped the Fiji Islands with the military takeover in December last year, another ideological struggle was already taking place on the Coral Coast of Vitu Levu. With much less drama, but also important consequences, alternatives to established leadership are forming in response to changing values. Balancing on the edge between traditional identity and modern development are communities also changing from within. Old ideas about governance need to be re-examined as ecologists, community activists and developers are promoting introduced ideologies. The thinking and language that accompanies this is re-defining the boundaries of communities and provoking traditional chiefs as well as emerging leaders to integrate new ideas. Dormant challenges to the old order, unsatisfied expectations and a reawakened sense of identity shape the ground where these fresh ideas are being planted.

The iconic coral reefs, threatened by increasing human impacts, are a sought after resource where conflicting visions are clashing. How these visions subtly but critically re-position ‘the others’ around shared notions of nature conservation changes from one point of view to another. Developers want to see economic benefits disperse in return for a welcoming and natural environment for international visitors. Conservation minded agencies see a sustainable future where traditional communities, commercial interests and ecological values can co-exist. For Fijian activists that emphasize indigenous identity, economic development and environmental protection must not be achieved at the expense of traditional culture and values. In the middle are village communities that despite rapid change are pro-actively involved in re-shaping the social and political landscape that they share with more and more newcomers.

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