The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has provided clarity regarding the Commercial Use of Marine Areas Bill 2025, known as the CUMA Bill, stating that it is presently in draft form and holds no legal standing. The Ministry emphasized that the Bill will only take effect once it undergoes parliamentary debate, is passed, and subsequently gazetted as an official Act.
Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Salaseini Daunabuna, urged the public and relevant stakeholders to understand that the existing legal framework remains intact at this point. “The draft CUMA Bill is currently in draft form and has no legal effect at this stage,” Daunabuna stated, reiterating that any legal ramifications will only commence following parliamentary approval.
The proposed legislation aims to repeal the Regulation of Surfing Areas Act 2010, introducing a new framework designed to restore proprietary ownership of marine areas utilized for commercial purposes back to customary owners. This Bill seeks to establish mechanisms that uphold the rule of law and natural justice, ensuring that all stakeholders are engaged in the process. Furthermore, it endeavors to empower indigenous institutions to play a pivotal role in managing and supervising commercial marine areas.
Despite the promising goals of the CUMA Bill, the Ministry made it clear that the Regulation of Surfing Areas Act 2010 remains fully operational. Consequently, there is currently no compensation available for the use of marine areas for commercial tourism purposes. Daunabuna noted that any future compensation framework would be assessed only after the Bill successfully becomes law.
The Ministry also confirmed that discussions regarding compensation between customary owners and interested parties would occur only after parliamentary passage of the Bill and in alignment with legal protocols.
To facilitate stakeholder engagement, the Parliament Standing Committee on Justice, Law, and Human Rights, with assistance from the Ministry, will conduct nationwide consultations about the draft Bill. Details concerning the dates and venues for these consultations will be announced shortly. The Ministry has encouraged all stakeholders to participate actively in this process, as Fiji shifts towards a modern and sustainable approach to managing its marine areas designated for commercial tourism use.
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