Project

Enhancing the Prevention, Control and Management of Invasive Alien Species in Vulnerable Ecosystems of Fiji

Lead country

Fiji

Participating countries

Fiji

Project status

Under implementation

Implementing period

From May 16, 2018 to May 16, 2023

SDGs addressed by this project

SDG targets

  1. 15.8 Prevent, mitigate, eradicate invasive alien species
  2. 15.5 Reduce habitat degradation, halt biodiversity loss, extinction

Project ID: 5589

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Technical team

  • Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme

Technical area(s)

  • Ecosystem management and restoration
  • Strengthening conservation areas

Sub-area(s)

  • Ecosystem-based mitigation
  • Wildlife conservation

Landscape(s)

  • Conserved areas
  • Marine

Sub-landscape(s)

  • Marine and coastal protected areas
  • Terrestrial protected areas
  • Large marine ecosystem

Transformed sector(s)

  • Aquaculture
  • Agriculture
  • Tourism

UNDP role(s)

  • Capacity development / Technical assistance
  • Convening / Partnerships / Knowledge Sharing
  • Data collection and analysis

Strategy

  • Management operation
  • Governance
  • Capacity building

Sub-strategy

  • Integrated coastal zone management
  • Invasive and alien species (IAS)
  • Wildlife and habitat conservation
  • Institutional framework
  • Surveillance & Compliance
  • Laws enforcement/ Regulation
  • Awareness raising
  • Ecological monitoring

Social inclusion

  • Private sector
  • Local community/CSOs

Gender equality

N/A

Gender result effectiveness scale

  • Gender targeted

Pathway(s)

  • Systems pathway
  • People pathway

Risk reduction target(s)

  • Hazard control/mitigation

SDG target(s)

  • 15.8 Prevent, mitigate, eradicate invasive alien species
  • 15.5 Reduce habitat degradation, halt biodiversity loss, extinction

Conventions and protocols

  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
  • National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)

Private sector(s)

  • Individuals/Entrepreneurs
  • Small and medium-sized enterprises

Hot topic

  • SIDS

About this project

Description

Invasive alien species (IAS) are the greatest threat to biodiversity in the Pacific Islands. Numerous IAS have been introduced to Fiji, with significant impacts on natural landscapes and biodiversity. The recent introduction of Giant Invasive Iguana – GII (Iguana iguana) – to Fiji represents the first established population of this species in the Pacific and is a potential bridgehead to some of the world's most isolated island ecosystems. GII have already caused harm throughout the Caribbean where they are spreading fast and have significant detrimental effects, including on native biodiversity, agriculture and tourism. Although there are several national and local-level initiatives to address IAS in Fiji, these efforts, lack adequate capacity and an overall comprehensive strategy to ensure a systematic and effective protection of biodiversity-rich and important areas. An effective, systematic and comprehensive eradication effort against GII, before populations grow beyond the point where they can be controlled is currently lacking and urgently needed. The preferred solution requires a suite of preventative measures to reduce IAS incursion and establishment, that will be introduced by this project, including: (i) Strengthened IAS policy, institutions and coordination at the national level to reduce the risk of IAS entering Fiji, including a comprehensive multi-sectorial coordination mechanism to ensure the best possible use of resources and capacities for prevention, management, eradication, awareness and restoration, and capacity building of biosecurity staff; (ii) Improved IAS prevention and surveillance operations at the island level on Taveuni, Qamea, Matagi and Laucala to reduce potential for pest species to enter and establish within the four-island group and move between these islands; (iii) Implementation of a comprehensive eradication plan for GII based on comprehensive survey and public outreach on Taveuni and an increase in removal effort of GII on the islands of Qamea, Matagi, and Laucala; and (iv) Strengthened knowledge management and awareness raising that targets the general public, tour operations and visitors, so as to safeguard the nation from IAS.

Objectives

To improve the chances of the long-term survival of terrestrial endemic and threatened species on Taveuni Island, surrounding islets and throughout Fiji by building national and local capacity to manage Invasive Alien Species.

USD $3,652,968

Grant amount

USD $26,864,514

Leveraged amount (co-financing)

1

Source(s) of fund

Sources of fund

 

  • Global Environment Facility – Trust Fund ($3,652,968)

Implementing partner(s)

  • Biosecurity Authority of Fiji

Project metrics

Outcome 1:

Strengthened IAS policy, institutions and coordination at the national level to reduce the risk of IAS entering Fiji

 Indicators:

0.1: Extent to which legal or policy or institutional frameworks are in place for conservation, sustainable use, and access and benefit sharing of natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystems. (UNDP mandatory indicator: IRRF Output 2.5 indicator 2.5.1)
0.2: Number of direct project beneficiaries (UNDP mandatory indicator)
0.3: Comprehensiveness of national level IAS management framework and ability to prevent IAS of high risk to biodiversity from entering Fiji, as measured by IAS Tracking Tool
0.4: Level of government funding and revenues for biosecurity in Fiji
1.1: National and local capacity in detection, prevention and control of entry of high risk IAS, as measured by UNDP Capacity Development Scorecard
1.2: Operational status of national level, multi-agency, multi-sector coordinating group for IAS activities, including biosecurity and management
1.3: Extent of biosecurity capacity for comprehensive prevention, early detection and rapid response (EDRR)
2.1: Number of new establishments of IAS species on Taveuni and islets, covering species listed in the Fiji black list and well as any high-risk IAS present in Fiji but not Taveuni
2.2: Capacity and engagement of biosecurity personnel and partners for inspection, control and management to prevent entry and inter-island IAS spread
3.1: Status of GIIs seen/captured on Taveuni
3.2: GII numbers on Qamea, Matagi and Laucala, as indicated by rates of removal
3.3: Status and trends in native banded iguana populations (Brachylophus bulabula) in areas occupied by GII
3.4: Community perceptions of damage to food crops and livelihoods in areas occupied by GII, disaggregated by gender
4.1: Level of awareness of IAS and biosecurity among tour operators, resort owners, importers, tourists and shipping agents
4.2: Operational status of on-line clearinghouse for IAS information to collate and make accessible IAS information to stakeholders
Outcome 2:

Enhanced IAS prevention, surveillance and control operations to prevent new introductions on Taveuni, Qamea, Laucala and Matagi
Outcome 3:

Long-term measures for protection of terrestrial ecosystems and their biodiversity on Taveuni, Qamea, Laucala and Matagi
Outcome 4:

Increased awareness of risks posed by IAS and need for biosecurity of local communities, travelling public, tour operators and shipping agents
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Project reports and documentation

 

Project Document (ProDoc)