This study examines the impacts of community-based management (CBM) on the social and economic standards of the people in the district of Korolevu-i-wai. It also scrutinizes and evaluates the social and economic factors that have contributed to the achievement of these impacts. The result of the CBM initiative in the Korolevu-i-wai District has been successful with notable positive outcomes. The resource management through the CBM approach has created better overall outcomes at present (2004 onwards) than those of the former system and period. The study revealed that the social cohesion amongst the community members, the perceived condition of the fishery resources, the condition of the terrestrial and village environment and the community’s understanding of the values of the marine environment and the resources associated with it have greatly improved in the district after the initialization of the CBM project. The average CPUE and income level of fishers in the district have also increased as results of the initiative

The study confirmed that the key conditions for the achievement of the positive impacts of the CBM project in Korolevu-i-wai District are: political support through the recognition of the rights of the community to make development and management decisions regarding the i qoliqoli, economic status of the community, decision making group homogeneity, people’s dependence on the marine resource as a source of income, availability of alternative sources of income, active participation of the community in project implementation and coordination and support and advice from outside agencies.

This thesis has established that there are vital links between the roles of the marine environment in the livelihood of the people, the impact of the people’s management roles in the sustainability of the marine environment, and the social and economic elements associated with it. Recommendations are made for the effective implementation of the CBM concept through government and concerned institution policies and community settings in the hope of achieving long-term sustainable management of Fiji’s marine resources for the betterment of the present and future generations.