Fiji is set to experience warmer ocean temperatures over the upcoming three months, a development that raises concerns over potential coral bleaching and may affect fishing patterns throughout the region’s waters. The Fiji Meteorological Office has indicated that the current weakening of La Niña conditions is in effect, with expectations that the region will transition to ENSO-neutral conditions by early 2026.
Douglas Fong, a scientific officer at the Meteorological Office, noted that sea surface temperatures around Fiji were already higher than usual as of December, with some areas in the southern waters recording temperature anomalies of up to two degrees Celsius. Fong anticipates that this trend of warmer-than-average sea temperatures will continue across the Fiji Group from February through April.
The coral bleaching outlook has been set at alert level 1 for waters in the Coral Coast and the Northern, Central, and Eastern Divisions of Fiji, while a warning status is in effect for the remainder of the country’s waters. The 29-degree Celsius warm pool, an essential indicator for tuna activity, is expected to shift southward from its typical position within Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone, which could significantly impact fishing operations across the nation.
As these changes unfold, the attention on preserving marine ecosystems and adapting fishing practices becomes increasingly critical, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and proactive measures to safeguard Fiji’s environmental and economic interests in the face of climate variability.