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Measuring indicators of ocean health for an island nation: The ocean health index for Fiji

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  • Selig, Elizabeth R.
  • Frazier, Melanie
  • O'Leary, Jennifer K.
  • Jupiter, Stacy D.
  • Halpern, Benjamin S.
  • Longo, Catherine
  • Kleisner, Kristin L.
  • Sivo, Loraini
  • Ranelletti, Marla

Abstract

People depend on the ocean to provide a range of ecosystem services, including sustaining economies and providing nutrition. We demonstrate how a global ocean health index framework can be applied to a data-limited scenario and modified to incorporate the objectives and context of a developing island nation like Fiji. Although these changes did not have a major effect on the total index value, two goals had substantial changes. The artisanal opportunities goal increased from 46 to 92 as a result of changes to the model for Fiji, which looks at the stock status of artisanally-caught species. The lasting special places sub-goal decreased from 96 to 48, due to the use of Fiji-specific data and reference points that allow policymakers to track progress towards national goals. Fiji scored high for the tourism and recreation goal, but low for the production-oriented natural products goal and mariculture sub-goal, which may reflect national values and development priorities. By measuring ocean health across a portfolio of goals and re-calculating scores over time, we can better understand potential trade-offs between goals. Our approach for measuring ocean health in Fiji highlights pathways for improvements and approaches that may help guide other data-limited countries in assessing ocean health.

Suggested Citation

  • Selig, Elizabeth R. & Frazier, Melanie & O'Leary, Jennifer K. & Jupiter, Stacy D. & Halpern, Benjamin S. & Longo, Catherine & Kleisner, Kristin L. & Sivo, Loraini & Ranelletti, Marla, 2015. "Measuring indicators of ocean health for an island nation: The ocean health index for Fiji," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 16(C), pages 403-412.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoser:v:16:y:2015:i:c:p:403-412
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2014.11.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patricia M. Clay & Jennifer Howard & D. Shallin Busch & Lisa L. Colburn & Amber Himes-Cornell & Steven S. Rumrill & Stephani G. Zador & Roger B. Griffis, 2020. "Ocean and coastal indicators: understanding and coping with climate change at the land-sea interface," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 163(4), pages 1773-1793, December.
    2. Nguyen, Kim Anh Thi & Jolly, Curtis M. & Nguelifack, Brice Merlin, 2018. "Biodiversity, coastal protection and resource endowment: Policy options for improving ocean health," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 40(2), pages 242-264.

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