Fiji’s Kadavu and its offshore waters are once again the focus of a high-profile ocean expedition, as National Geographic Pristine Seas pushes to map and protect one of the Pacific’s richest marine ecosystems. Led by researcher Kelly Moore, the team has been charting habitats around Kadavu and venturing farther offshore to gather data that could shape Fiji’s future conservation plans.
The expedition recently wrapped up surveys in Kadavu and the Yasawa Group, with Moore explaining that the work is part of a broader effort to provide scientific information that supports Fiji’s marine spatial planning. “We’ve all got our sea legs on by now,” she said, noting that the team is actively surveying and conducting deep-sea research. Next, they will spend about a week around Cakau Levu, the Great Sea Reef, a cornerstone of Fiji’s coastal and cultural landscape.
Kadavu’s reefs have long been celebrated for their vibrant life, and the surveys conducted there have reaffirmed just how diverse the region is. While Moore did not claim the discovery of new species, she indicated that the expedition has documented fish and coral that raise fresh questions. “Sometimes we come across things we can’t immediately identify,” she explained. “That’s when conversations begin with other experts in the Pacific. It could be a new species, or it could simply be a range extension into Fiji. Either way, it’s exciting.”
For Kadavu communities, the science carries practical implications beyond the lab. The team conducted dives in lagoons, passages, and fringing reefs near villages at the request of local elders who were noticing changes. Moore stressed that returning findings to the communities was a meaningful part of the mission. “They shared concerns about declining fish numbers and shifting species. Those conversations were inspiring and reminded us that the ocean’s future remains something people are hopeful about.”
The project is designed to fill critical knowledge gaps, with survey sites chosen after extensive consultations with the Fijian government, local partners, and community leaders. Kadavu’s reefs and offshore areas, including the Great Sea Reef, were singled out as priority zones lacking baseline data but holding high conservation importance. The goal is straightforward: the data will feed Fiji’s marine spatial planning, helping authorities decide where protection will be most effective.
On the technical front, the deep-sea phase is opening up largely uncharted territory. The team is using advanced tools to study deep-water life, from baited remote cameras that track sharks and rays to environmental DNA sampling that detects microscopic traces of marine species. Moore described a broader view enabled by these methods, noting sightings of six-gilled sharks, hammerheads, and deep-sea inhabitants like chimaeras and snailfish. Some species remain unidentified, but the footage and data promise to inform future work as researchers refine their understanding of Fiji’s deep ocean.
Early results have been described as thrilling, with cameras left to record life in the darkness at depths reaching up to about 6,000 metres. Beyond the science, the expedition emphasizes reciprocity with local communities. The warm reception in Kadavu and the sharing of concerns and hopes for the oceans have reinforced the partnership between scientists and residents. Moore said the team looks forward to returning in about a year with the collected data and with a documentary that will showcase the reefs and the communities’ stewardship—a tangible way to give back.
This effort fits into a broader national and regional push to protect Fiji’s ocean spaces. Partnerships with Blue Prosperity Fiji and various government ministries aim to harmonize scientific research with traditional knowledge, guiding policy and land-use decisions to safeguard the marine environment while supporting local livelihoods. The overarching plan envisions managing 100% of Fiji’s ocean space, with 30% designated as fully protected by 2030, and integrating education and outreach to foster ocean literacy across communities.
Looking ahead, the offshore phase promises to push the boundaries of what’s known about Fiji’s deep sea. The data gathered will help shape conservation strategies, inform where protections will be most effective, and support the government’s long-term goals for sustainable fisheries, thriving tourism, and resilient coastal communities.
Context and value added
– The Kadavu expedition exemplifies a collaborative model that blends cutting-edge technology with local knowledge and participation, a pattern echoed across Fiji’s ongoing marine conservation programs.
– By documenting ecosystem health and species presence in nearshore and offshore zones, the team contributes to a baseline necessary for monitoring climate-change impacts, reef resilience, and fisheries management.
– The announced documentary work and educational outreach promise to raise awareness and inspire stewardship among younger generations, extending the impact beyond scientific circles.
Summary
A National Geographic Pristine Seas mission off Kadavu and the Yasawa Group is advancing deep-sea research, community engagement, and conservation planning in Fiji. Using state-of-the-art gear like baited cameras and eDNA, the team is expanding knowledge of Fiji’s deep and shallow marine life, while linking findings to national goals for ocean protection, sustainable livelihoods, and climate resilience. The project underscores a hopeful path where science, community input, and policy work hand in hand to safeguard Fiji’s irreplaceable ocean ecosystems.
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