4FJ Fish Smart campaign has launched a Fiji podcast series to help communities better manage their fishing grounds – and fill the gap left by limited travel during COVID-19 travel restrictions.
4FJ Qoli Vakamatau radio show was originally launched on Radio Fiji One with Fiji Broadcasting Company, with the support of the European Union and the Government of Sweden through the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme, and Bloomberg Philanthropies and its the Vibrant Oceans Initiative (VOI).
But the Covid-19 pandemic stopped talkback radio for most of the year, along with a lot of direct engagement by partners and government.
In an effort to keep telling community stories, the 4FJ Fish Smart campaign has repackaged past radio shows into a podcast series, which are also available to download as MP3s to reach more communities.
There are five shows available in iTaukei-language only and feature community champions and local experts. Community members from mostly outer islands call into each show to ask questions and share feedback. Each show explores a common problem communities face when managing their fishing grounds. The first show sets the scene for a national talanoa about Fishing Smart.
Show 2 discusses how fishing has changed in Fiji. Alifereti Tawake, Council Chair and Technical Advisor at the Locally-Managed Marine Area Network explains how fishing has changed and what this means for Fiji’s fishing grounds and being able to practice Qoli Veinanaumi (communal fishing), which is an important part of Fijian culture.
Show 3 features Waisea Naisilisili from Fiji’s Wildlife Conservation Society Society and Tuimavela Hemo, Chairman of the Navakavu Marine Protected Area in the Tikina of Suva and discuss tabu areas: what works and what doesn’t.
Show 4 is about how to get bigger and better mud crab catches, featuring Taru Veibi from Fiji’s Locally-Managed Marine Area Network from Bua and Margaret Fox, a fisheries expert for the Pacific Community (SPC).
Show 5 promotes an announcement about a local ban on night spearfishing to address the decline of certain reef fish in the Lau Province. Guests Semisi Meo from Conservation International and Roko Sau kei Totoya, Roko Josefa Cinavilakeba discuss the issues of destructive fishing, especially duva and night spearfishing.
The 4FJ Fish Smart campaign is part of regional efforts in scaling-up community-based fisheries management. Reaching all communities with practical information so they can make informed decisions to better manage their fishing grounds is a key part of the recently endorsed Pacific Framework for Action on Scaling-up Community-based Fisheries Management (2021-2025). Radio is a critical piece being a cost-effective way to reach communities, especially for rural communities to engage in discussions. Repackaging radio shows into podcasts and MP3s further serves the interests of communities who consume digital media.
To listen to the shows, search ‘The Qoli Vakamatau Show’ on Google Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to your favourite podcast. Or press play below. To access the MP3 for any outreach, please contact us directly: 4fj@cchange4good.org
The 4FJ Fish Smart campaign is coordinated by cChange in partnership with the Locally-Managed Marine Area Network and the Pacific Community (SPC) through the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme, with financial support from the European Union, the Government of Sweden and Bloomberg Philanthropies.