Fiji National University (FNU) academic, Dr Jimaima Lako, was recently named one of four recipients of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Climate Resilience Challenge Grant worth $7, 000.

The ACU grant is awarded to member universities to support initiatives addressing climate resilience, key areas of enhancing the climate resilience of universities and or enhancing universities’ contribution to the resilience of communities, businesses and government.

CEST Associate Dean Research, Dr Jimaima Lako.

Out of the 79 applications, Dr Lako was awarded the grant based on her research proposal to develop a model on the relationship between Fiji’s sea surface temperature, coral bleaching and ciguatera fish poisoning.

Dr Lako is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean Research at FNU’s College of Engineering, Science and Technology (CEST).

She said the research proposed was important as abrupt changes in the natural ocean environment, including increased seawater temperature due to climate change, increased the distribution and growth of toxic algae, that lead to the increase in the incidence of ciguatera fish poisoning.

“We know the relationship of the sea temperature to the destruction of coral and coral bleaching and when these corals die, they provide habitat to toxic algae which are later grazed by herbivorous fish. This bioaccumulates in the food chain and is then caught by humans for personal consumption or sold for income generation,” Dr Lako explained.

“So basically, our research will collect information or data related to seawater temperature from various sites in Fiji, coral bleaching, rainfall, chlorophyll growth, and the incidence of ciguatera fish poisoning, season and the associate iqoliqoli. These will help us build a model with the use of the modelling software to predict future ciguatoxic iqoliqoli hotspots to warn people of possible outbreaks.

“We know that climate change is at the forefront of issues prioritised by international organisations and the grants they give provides the perfect opportunity to develop a model that could assist Government focus their preparation and assistance to communities – that are likely to be affected – ahead of time to avoid and reduce chances of catching, consuming, selling and exporting ciguatoxic fish from identified hotspots. This may help influence policies and advisories.”

“This would be the first model of its kind in Fiji and is crucial because this issue will only get worse in the future as it affects our livelihoods, food security and economy.”

Dr Lako’s research team consists of colleagues Professor Todd Dennis and Dr Satayanand Singh and collaborator Dr Victor Bonito of Reef Explorer Fiji.

“Phase one of our research is the gathering of secondary data, that  is already available, and we can do this without delay despite the current COVID-19 restrictions,” she said.

“Phase two is field data collection and this would be done towards the middle or end of this year. Our collaborator will use the data loggers to validate the secondary  data and to bridge any gap in the data from certain sites around the country. These will also  be used for analysis and the model development.”

She added that receiving the grant was a boost to the University and demonstrated the recognition of FNU’s capabilities, despite the limited resources.

“We are highly vulnerable to climate change so it’s great when international agencies see us at the forefront of climate change issues and are willing to help us through funding and other forms of collaboration and networking.”

Dr Lako said the research is scheduled for completion in April next year.

FNU Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies and Sustainable Development Director, Professor Nii-K Plange, said the award, together with the ACU Cohort Award which was won by another FNU staff, are indications of the depth of expertise and work currently being done by FNU staff in the field of climate change.

“They also underline the importance of the University’s Post Graduate Interdisciplinary Programme in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. I warmly congratulate both winners,” Prof Plange said.

Prof Nii-K Plange.

He added that the Climate Change Programme team, as a whole, recently won a bid from the Association of Commonwealth Universities to design and run an online International Workshop on Aspects of Climate Change Research for early career researchers.

“These early-career researchers have been selected competitively from different Commonwealth Universities. The workshop is scheduled to be held on May 26 and 27,” Prof Nii-K said.

“The Climate Change team have been working with a team in London in planning this workshop and coordinating through the different time zones to make it convenient for all.”

“The FNU Team for this workshop includes academic staff from FNU’s CEST (College of Engineering Science and Technology) College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (CAFF), College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS) and the College of Humanities and Education (CHE).”

The workshop design includes brief presentations, at each session, by an FNU Team followed by plenary and breakout sessions where facilitators will engage in robust discussions with the participants.

The Workshop will be opened by the Dean of CHE, Professor Uniasi Nabobo-Baba.