Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka told Parliament yesterday that the Commercial Use of Marine Areas Bill 2025 will help modernize the management of Fiji’s marine spaces and ensure stronger participation from Indigenous communities in the tourism sector.
Introducing the Bill, Gavoka said nationwide consultations would begin shortly.
“We will be going across the country over the next two or three months, and we expect contributions from all regions,” he said.
“The final outcome must be comprehensive and reflect all that we want to achieve in how our marine areas are used for tourism purposes.”
He said his ministry was prepared to play an active role in both conservation and development.
“My ministry and my team are ready to be part of the process — for conservation and for tourism.
Gavoka stressed that global tourism trends point to rising involvement of Indigenous communities, a shift that Fiji must embrace.
“Tourism going forward will see a huge degree of participation for Indigenous people,” he said.
“This is forecast by UN Tourism and other bodies. This legislation is one way Fiji can ensure our Indigenous communities are part of tourism in a big way, especially in how we use marine areas.”
He emphasized that the Bill would introduce structured management, not abrupt restrictions.
“It will be process-driven,” Gavoka said.
“It’s not going to be a situation where one day we come in and take everything. It will be specific to areas, and yes, there will be some teething problems — but this is the way to strengthen tourism.”
The minister also revealed that resorts had already raised concerns that highlighted the need for regulation. He cited a letter he received from a prominent resort regarding safety issues in shared marine spaces.
“A leading resort wrote to me today asking for help in an area where guests are snorkelling while the local community is spear-fishing,” he said.
“Right now, there’s nothing we can do to stop it, because it’s free. They can spear-fish there.”
He said the Bill would allow for clearer arrangements to improve visitor safety while respecting community use.
“Through this, we can create arrangements that allow our people and tourists to enjoy these areas without the fear of swimming alongside those fishing with spearguns,” he said. “And there are more opportunities ahead.”
Consultations on the Commercial Use of Marine Areas Bill 2025 are expected to begin soon.
