Green in the Blue

The word ‘sustainability’ gets thrown around a lot these days, but what does it really mean?

Taking action, protecting its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), limiting the number of tourists, and protecting the product and the resources the ocean provides well into the future is how Niue defines this. Big steps have been taken to maintain this soft adventure destination that is a utopia for the underwater enthusiast; keeping it the way things used to be - the way things should be.

The economy of Niue is firmly centred around the ocean. From an important food source for locals to tourism-generated income, the country needed sustainable actions to protect the ocean for future generations, for the small Niuean population of just 1700 people. 

Located halfway between Fiji and the Cook Islands, Niue is one of the largest raised coral atolls in the world. It boasts over 100 coral species, was the world’s first ‘Dark Sky Nation’ and has been awarded recognition as being in the top 100 global sustainable tourism destinations by Green Destinations.  Despite being one of the smallest self-governing nations, its entire marine real estate is 321,018 square kilometres and contains pristine coral reefs and undersea mountains that are known for hosting a diverse array of marine life. 

Harbouring dazzling biodiversity, including more than 300 fish species, coral reefs, sea turtles, dolphins, humpback and beaked whales, and amongst the world’s highest density of grey reef sharks, Niue’s crystal-clear waters reveal a host of treasures across six bioregions. Niue’s ocean is home to more than 70 critically-endangered, endangered, or vulnerable species and endemic species, and serves as an annual birthing and breeding ground for humpback whales. Katuali (Laticauda Schistorhynchus), a vulnerable venomous sea snake, can be found only in Niue.

The entire island is constructed purely from limestone, which creates a myriad of caves, caverns, and chasms to witness and explore both above and below the water. With no rivers, streams and runoff from the island, Niue's water visibility is renowned as some of the clearest in the Pacific Ocean at up to 80 metres.

For over 1,000 years, the Niuean people have nurtured and protected their ocean, and more recently Niue became one of the first countries to commit to protecting 100% of waters in its EEZ as a multiple-use marine park. The Niue Nukutuluea Marine Park covers a huge 317,018 square kilometres and breaks into five tightly-managed marine resource use zones, where 40% percent is fully protected as a ‘no-take’ area. These efforts are a culmination of many years of scientific assessment, community consultation, and cost-benefit analysis. This project is managed by a private and publicly funded group called Niue Ocean Wide (NOW). 

Funding for the organisation and its initiatives is through an innovative financing sponsorship system called Ocean Conservation Commitments (OCCs). Anyone can sponsor one square kilometre of Niue’s ocean waters for 20 years for a NZ$250 donation. This simple idea won the ‘Nature’ category of the Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards. With a target of NZ $32 million, the OCC’s funds are managed by the NOW Trust and used to support a range of ocean-based conservation, resilience, and sustainable development efforts that reinforce durable ocean conservation.

Some examples of the projects supported now or in the future include supporting the traditional Vaka (canoe) fisherman, builders and racers, as well as educating the Niuean people about the ocean, dive training, replanting of coral, removal of invasive species on the reef, monitoring and recording of fish stocks and biodiversity, as well as monitoring for illegal fishing in the region.

National Geographic has followed this project closely, and have been documenting the growth in fish life and biodiversity, with astonishingly positive results. They produced a documentary, Protecting Paradise, currently screening on Disney+ globally to capture the positive changes being observed since creating the protection areas.

Traditional Vaka fishermen of Niue know and understand the importance of sustainable fishing and only catching enough to sustain the family. The Vaka vessels themselves are testimonies to traditional fishing practices that took place before modern fishing techniques were introduced. They are predominantly constructed from trees located in Niue’s forests, revealing the unique connection between land and sea.

The Vaka fishermen hold firmly to the cultural beliefs of yesteryear, and continue to fish without the use of fossil fuels, anchors, or any fishing equipment that could result in bulk catches and all things that may be detrimental to the seabed and the marine environment.

Daughters of the Deep is an organisation providing support to young women in Niue with an interest in marine conservation. This initiative trains and equips them with the expertise to gain employment in the dive, and whale research and observation industry on the island through their partners at Niue Blue (the only dive operator in Niue). Students learn about the current research, regulations and conservation efforts in the region, and the cultural importance of cetaceans within their indigenous community with the long-term goal of harnessing the skills required to be a tour guide on the island and find them employment upon completion.  

Niue's focus is on striking a fundamental balance between economic prosperity and environmental sustainability, through promoting low-impact tourism over commercial and industrial fishing and this is where the ocean-based experiences on offer (of which Niue has plenty) blend with sustainable practices.

As an example, fishing from tourism provides much more money for Niue per kilogram of fish caught than any commercial fishing could. Most of the fish you will eat from the island’s restaurants has been line-caught locally from one of the charter operators, or even the local Vaka. Chances are high that your lunch came out of the ocean that morning and was caught just a few hundred metres off the land, as the depths needed for pelagic species are extremely easy to access due to Niue being a large coral atoll – it descends around a metre every metre. While commercial fisheries pay license fees, visitors spend money on the fishing charter, accommodation, travel, dining out and retail purchases over the course of their time in Niue.

Local dive operator Niue Blue offers some amazing underwater experiences as well as low-impact and strictly regulated whale and dolphin interactions, but they also have a collection programme removing Drupella Snails from Niue’s coral reef. These snails devastate the coral, which in turn upsets the ecosystem balance. The eradication programme has removed more than 55,000 of these pests and the overall health of the reef is improving as a result. Once counted, the snails are then either given to village elders to consume or to local craft makers who make pendants out of the shells - so nothing is wasted. Another major focus for them is the restoration of coral and planting of coral nurseries following cyclone damage, or due to other environmental pressures, and experienced divers visiting Niue are often welcome to assist.

A few years ago, the export of Uga (coconut crab) was banned. This has seen the population of these giant crabs thrive, and Niue is now one of the few places left in the world where you can legally hunt and also eat this delicacy now that the natural balance is back in order. The Uga are in the forest areas close to the shore and local guides will take you (often at night) to find these giants attached to coconut baits that are tied to the jagged coral rocks.

Always close to the villages that are scattered around this large island, are bush plantations where self-sufficiency is still practised. Many locals will welcome visitors onto their plantations where they can experience a wide variety of organic produce - a fascinating experience. Massive cave systems and various walks are found all over the island to explore with ease via well-signposted tracks. Take your mask and snorkel, as there are crystal-clear rock pools to swim in at the end of most of these tracks. 

So, if you are looking for a soft adventure destination where ocean conservation is at the heart of your experience, then jump on a short three-and-a-half-hour flight from Auckland to Niue and help support their efforts and maybe even sponsor some Ocean while enjoying an adventure like nowhere else on the planet. The way life used to be, the way life should be.

Visit niueisland.com or niueoceanwide.com for more information on Niue and sponsoring an Ocean Conservation Commitment (OCC) in Niue.