In the turbulent waters of Fiji, a battle against climate change is being waged by oyster farmers, with a particular focus on the women who are leading this charge. The country's economy, marked by low and inconsistent pay, especially for women, presents a stark challenge. According to The Asia Foundation, underemployment among women in Fiji reaches a staggering 74 percent. This reality has driven women like those being trained by Ravea to seek more lucrative opportunities.
In the vibrant community hall of Vatulele, Ravea imparts her knowledge, teaching women how to handle the lines, clean the oysters, and craft predator nets from heavy-duty plastic. These nets serve a crucial purpose, safeguarding the oysters from the voracious triggerfish and pufferfish. Ravea's training sessions, held quarterly, are open to both women and men, aiming to empower them in the oyster meat trade.
This year, approximately 25 women in the village have embraced the art of oyster farming. On a mid-July day, a group of six women, aged 24 to 59, donned floral and polka-dot attire, hunched over rolls of predator nets. Among them was Unaisi Seruwaia, a 49-year-old trainee with a background in the village's community oyster collective. She keenly understands the industry's potential, especially in the face of economic challenges.
Seruwaia shares her perspective: "Life in a Fijian village is not easy; making money is a struggle." She highlights the meager average income of 150 to 200 Fijian dollars ($66-88) per week in her village. The women's income sources are diverse, ranging from selling vegetables like taro and kava to fishing, drying coconut meat, weaving baskets, and working in shops. However, the unpredictability of the climate has made a resilient income source more crucial than ever.
The future holds concerns, as warnings about extreme weather events suggest a decline in fishing stocks. A climate study from March 2025 predicts that tropical cyclones and extreme floods will intensify in Fiji, posing significant risks to coastal and marine livelihoods. The country is still recovering from the devastating impact of Cyclone Winston in 2016, which caused extensive damage to coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, critical habitats for subsistence and small-scale commercial fisheries.
Rosi Batibasaga, a fisheries officer with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), underscores the cyclone's impact: "Cyclone Winston caused extensive damage to coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, which are essential for sustaining subsistence and small-scale commercial fisheries." Coastal villages like Vatulele bore the brunt of the storm, facing reduced fish availability, destroyed boats and fishing gear, and sharp declines in household income and food security.
Vive Digiata, a 59-year-old resident of Vatulele, encapsulates the sentiment: "Life was easier before the cyclone." She observes that fish are becoming smaller, prompting people to switch to canned fish to supplement their diets. Meanwhile, illegal fishing, often by foreign vessels, further depletes fish stocks and endangers species like hawksbill turtles.
This narrative highlights the resilience and determination of women in Fiji, who are not only adapting to climate change but also seeking sustainable livelihoods in the face of economic and environmental challenges.
