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Fiji's Great Sea Reef. Credit - T. Vierus
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Fishing grounds, in Fijian referred to as qoliqoli, are traditionally owned by clans or communities. On occasions of cultural significance (the death of a chief, for example), specific areas of these qoliqolis are temporarily declared as tabu, effectively making it a no-take zone. These tabu areas would rotate over time, ensuring a sustainable and healthy way of ocean resource use. Unfortunately, poaching, overfishing and a general move away from traditional values and management threaten the integrity of the tabu system.

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