Cabinet yesterday decided to give legal effect to the Tavarua Island Marine Reserve. This is through the endorsement of the Fisheries (Tavarua Island Marine Reserve) Regulations 2025.
A Cabinet statement said the Tavarua Island Marine Reserve is part of the Vanua o Malolo customary fishing right areas in the province of Nadroga/Navosa. The area protected under the Regulations covers 5.62 square kilometres or approximately 0.5123% of the total customary fishing area of 1,096.421053 square kilometres.
“The Tavarua Marine Reserve holds the largest population of giant clams in Fiji waters,” said the Cabinet statement. “In addition to giant clams, ten species of sea cucumber, 70 species of fish, over 200 species of corals, and nesting beaches for turtles and seabirds will now be protected.”
