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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 2000). Although marine biodiversity is lower than the 'coral triangle' of Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and northeastern 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 al., 2000). Since taxonomic research in the country has been limited, further research will extend the known biodiversity of all marine taxa considerably.

Much of Fiji’s wealth is generated by its extensive marine resources, which provide, for example, protein from fishing and income from tourism. However, a suite of factors currently threatens the ecological balance and health of Fiji’s reef ecosystems. Stakeholders in the Mamanuca Islands are aware of the value of conserving coral reefs and in 2001 invited Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) to assist in the implementation of a pilot project entitled ‘Mamanuca Coral Reef Conservation Project – Fiji 2001’ (MCRCP).

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.

A summary of the parameters recorded along each transect line during the Reef Check surveys in 2002 are shown in Tables 2, 3 and 4. A graphical summary of all sites combined is shown in Figures 4 - 7. An overall increase in coral cover was recorded, from 14 % in 2001 to 27 % in 2002. Figures 6 and 7 show a comparison of the mean benthic cover recorded during 2001 and 2002 surveys.