The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Mosese Bulitavu, has reaffirmed unwavering commitment to protecting Fiji’s marine environment and ensuring the highest standards of maritime safety across all operations.
Minister Bulitavu underscored that this approach reflects the Government’s broader commitment to uphold environmental law, ocean stewardship, and sustainable maritime development — key pillars of Fiji’s Blue Economy and Marine Spatial Planning objectives.
“The protection of our marine environment and the safety of Fijian passengers are non-negotiable,” he said.
“The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has already outlined a comprehensive set of environmental pre-requisites to the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) to ensure all assessments are conducted transparently, scientifically, and in line with the Environment Management Act 2005.”
These prerequisites include:
● A full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) undertaken by a Ministry-registered consultant;
● Verified technical data on vessel structure, fuel efficiency, and emissions;
● Evidence of compliance with international conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS); and
● Mitigation plans addressing oil spills, waste management, and ballast water discharge to prevent marine pollution and the spread of invasive species.
The Minister emphasised that protecting Fiji’s marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems — including coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows — is integral to the nation’s climate resilience and Blue Economy.
“Our ocean sustains livelihoods, supports fisheries, and shields communities from the impacts of climate change. Any maritime activity that threatens these natural defenses will face rigorous scrutiny,” Minister Bulitavu stated.
Minister Bulitavu confirmed that the Ministry will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Transport, MSAF, and other relevant agencies to ensure a whole-of-government approach to maritime governance.
“Our Ministries are aligned in upholding the integrity of Fiji’s environmental and maritime laws. We stand firmly with Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau to ensure that the safety of our people and protection of our natural environment remain paramount,” he said.
The Minister further noted that Fiji’s Blue Economy relies on maintaining a balance between sustainable development and responsible stewardship of marine resources, stressing that short-term economic gains must never come at the expense of long-term environmental security. Government will not compromise these principles for expediency or pressure.
“The Government is clear — compliance with Fiji’s laws is not optional,” he concluded.
“Every vessel entering our waters must meet the same standards of safety, legality, and environmental responsibility. This is about protecting Fijian lives, preserving our marine ecosystems, shielding Fiji’s marine heritage, and safeguarding our national reputation as a responsible ocean steward.”