In Fiji, a group of resilient women are taking on the challenges posed by climate change and an uncertain economy. The fight for a sustainable future is on, and these women are leading the way.
Fiji's informal economy, where many women find employment, offers little stability and low wages. According to The Asia Foundation, underemployment among women is alarmingly high, reaching up to 74%. This is where Ravea steps in, offering a glimmer of hope and a chance for a more prosperous future.
Ravea, a skilled trainer, has gathered a group of eager learners in the vibrant community hall of Vatulele. Here, she teaches the art of oyster farming - from hauling in the lines to creating protective nets for the oysters. Her quarterly training sessions are open to all, welcoming both women and men to join this lucrative trade.
This year, around 25 women from the village have embraced this opportunity. On a sunny mid-July day, a diverse group of women, ranging from 24 to 59 years old, are hard at work. Dressed in cheerful florals and polka dots, they carefully craft predator nets, an essential skill in oyster farming.
Unaisi Seruwaia, a 49-year-old trainee, understands the potential of this industry. Having served as the secretary of Vatulele Yaubula, the village's oyster collective, she knows the importance of a climate-resistant income source.
"Living in a Fijian village is not easy," Seruwaia shares. "Making money is a challenge. The average income in our village is a mere 150 to 200 Fijian dollars a week." She goes on to explain the traditional income sources, from selling vegetables like dalo and yaqona, to fishing, drying coconut meat, weaving baskets, and working in shops.
"As the weather becomes more unpredictable, having a reliable income stream is crucial," she adds. The fear of declining fishing stocks due to extreme weather events is a real concern. A climate study predicts an increase in the severity of tropical cyclones and extreme floods, posing a significant threat to coastal communities and their livelihoods.
Fiji is still recovering from the devastating Cyclone Winston in 2016. This powerful storm, lasting an incredible 26 days, caused an estimated 1.99 billion Fijian dollars in damage. It affected over half of Fiji's population, resulting in 44 deaths and widespread destruction to villages and farmland, particularly on the main island's north coast and the smaller islands.
Rosi Batibasaga, a fisheries officer at WCS, highlights the impact on critical habitats: "Cyclone Winston damaged coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, which are essential for sustaining subsistence and small-scale commercial fisheries."
Vatulele, a coastal village, bore the brunt of the cyclone's impact. "They faced reduced fish availability, damaged boats and fishing gear, and a significant decline in household income and food security," Batibasaga explains.
Vive Digiata, a 59-year-old resident of Vatulele, sums it up: "Before the cyclone, life was easier. Fish are getting smaller, and people are turning to canned fish to supplement their meals."
But here's where it gets controversial: illegal fishing and poaching, often by foreign vessels, further deplete fish stocks and threaten endangered species like hawksbill turtles. This adds another layer of complexity to the already fragile ecosystem.
And this is the part most people miss: these women, through their oyster farming endeavors, are not just securing their own livelihoods but also contributing to the sustainability of their community and the preservation of Fiji's unique marine environment.
What do you think? Is oyster farming a viable solution to combat the challenges posed by climate change and an uncertain economy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
