Making marine spatial planning fit for coastal indigenous communities: A Fijian case study

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is gaining momentum globally, driven by the need to sustainably use marine resources and protect biodiversity amid growing environmental pressures and competing ocean uses. Yet, the potential of MSP to catalyze transformative change in ocean governance within the small Pacific Islands, particularly among the large Indigenous coastal communities, remains the subject of considerable debate. This study uses surveys and focus group discussions to investigate how the MSP process in Fiji aligns with the perspectives of Indigenous Fijian (iTaukei) coastal communities. Despite global recognition of the importance of Indigenous and local knowledge in MSP and ocean governance, our findings reveal limited community awareness, low levels of trust, and minimal participation. Intra-community dynamics within Indigenous Fijian coastal communities, including disparities in leadership influence and representation, further risk reproducing exclusion under the guise of Indigenous participation. Our study concludes that MSP and Indigenous peoples can mutually influence each other in ways that are potentially transformative. Indigenous worldviews, knowledge, and practices can inform more inclusive, culturally grounded MSP through processes of knowledge co-creation, while MSP offers avenues for communities to strengthen agency, co-management capacity, and engagement with broader governance systems. We recommend establishing localized communities of practice, supported by trusted intermediaries, as a context-appropriate mechanism to bridge epistemological divides, foster co-creation, strengthen social capital, and advance socially just and resilient ocean governance. • Indigenous iTaukei communities show limited awareness and participation in Fiji’s MSP. • Top-down governance weakens trust, participation, and MSP legitimacy. • Customary leadership and co-creation enhance MSP transparency and policy relevance. • MSP engagement with Indigenous governance fosters mutual learning and transformation. • Women and youth participation strengthens equity, resilience, and cultural grounding.