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Much of Fiji’s wealth is generated by its extensive marine resources, which provide, for example, protein based food from fishing and income from tourism. However, a suite of factors currently threatens the ecological balance and health of many of Fiji’s reef ecosystems. Following on from the work conducted by CCC in the Mamanuca Islands as part of the Fiji Coral Reef Conservation Project (FCRCP), CCC were engaged in May 2005 to assist in coral reef assessment and management in the Kadavu Islands.

The shallow coastal zone of Fiji is comprised of three major, interrelated habitat types: marine algae and seagrass; large areas of mangroves; and extensive coral reefs. The marine resources include approximately 1000 coral reefs with representatives of all major reef types (Vuki et al.y 2000). Although marine biodiversity is lower than the 'coral triangle' of Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and north-eastern Australia, Fiji does support approximately 200 species of coral (Veron, 2000). Furthermore it has been estimated that Fiji has approximately 1200 marine fish species (Vuki et ai, 2000). Since taxonomic research in the country has been limited, further research will extend the known biodiversity of all marine taxa considerably.