Surfers eager to ride the legendary waves of Fiji may soon face new financial barriers. The Fijian government has announced plans to repeal a unique law that currently allows free access to the country’s world-renowned reef breaks. This move could reinstate fees for both tourists and locals eager to surf these iconic waters.
Historically, foreign-owned resorts held exclusive rights to famous surfing spots like Cloudbreak, located off Tavarua Island. This exclusivity meant that only paying guests could access the waves, sidelining local surfers. “We as locals couldn’t surf,” explained Ian Ravouvou Muller, a pioneer in Fijian surfing. “We were treated as second-class citizens in our own country, and who would like a situation like that where you can’t even surf your own waves?”
The Surfing Decree and Its Impact
In 2010, a Surfing Decree was enacted by the then-military government led by Frank Bainimarama. This decree abolished exclusive access rights, allowing anyone to surf without fees or permits. Despite criticisms of the government at the time, the decree transformed Fiji into a premier surf tourism destination.
“Ever since we opened there’s been an explosion of local surf businesses and local surfing. It’s incredible. That’s why we got all these young up-and-coming stars now because they’re able to surf some of the best waves in the world.”
While the decree democratized wave access, it also left Indigenous Fijians, the traditional custodians of the coastal and marine areas, without a share of the economic benefits. The decree prohibited them from controlling access and banned other activities, such as fishing, in these areas.
Restoring Indigenous Rights
Tourism Minister Bill Gavoka has announced that a bill to revoke the Surfing Decree will be presented to parliament next week. However, the specifics of the new legislation remain vague. “In place will be a structure that is designed to liberalize access to all the marine areas … and ensure resource owners are compensated for the use of their marine areas,” Gavoka stated.
The proposed legislation aims to restore Indigenous rights over marine areas without reverting to exclusive resort access. Public consultations will follow the parliamentary tabling of the bill, yet how Indigenous owners will be compensated is still under discussion. Gavoka emphasized that individuals would not be allowed to set their own fees for wave access.
Stakeholder Concerns and Future Prospects
The uncertainty surrounding the legislative changes has caused concern among various stakeholders. Both the Fiji Surfing Association and the Fiji Hotels and Tourism Association have refrained from commenting, citing insufficient details about the impending changes.
Ian Ravouvou Muller, who has both Indigenous Fijian ancestry and a stake in the surfing industry, advocates for fair compensation for traditional owners. “That’s been their fishing grounds. Surfers come in, they chase away the fish. They have no fish to eat. They need to be compensated. They destroy the reefs. They need to be compensated,” he remarked.
Muller proposes the establishment of “ocean parks” as a solution. “Where it’s user pays and that money goes back into lifeguards, security, village protection, reef protection, making sure that the ocean and the people are looked after and it’s sustainable,” he suggested. “I think that’s probably the most sensible way of moving, where everybody wins, and it could be a great model for the rest of the world.”
The announcement comes as Fiji seeks to balance economic opportunities with cultural and environmental sustainability. As the nation prepares for public consultations, the world watches to see how Fiji will navigate these complex waters.
