07/10/2026
Bula Vinaka! This week is Fiji Language Week 🇫🇯
To celebrate, we wanted to highlight the work of Eseta Drova, who has been leading a project digitising seaweed specimens from the University of the South Pacific, in partnership with Auckland Museum.
Seaweed may seem small and simple, but it plays an important role in Fiji's marine environment and in the lives of many coastal communities. Seaweed forms an important part of the marine ecosystem, with fish, molluscs, and crustaceans feeding on seaweed, and it provides shelter and protection for many small marine organisms. In Fiji, seaweed is more than just a part of the ocean. It has cultural, environmental, and economic importance. For many coastal communities, the sea provides food, traditional knowledge, and resources that have been passed down through generations. Seaweed can also be harvested and used as a source of income, making it a small but valuable commodity for local communities.
One such species is called nama, a type of bright green seaweed. Bright green and considered a delicacy, nama (𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘢) grows on the seabed by crawling with basal runners up to 3 mm wide and is anchored by minute rhizoids (root-like structures). The edible parts are the upright branches (grape-like parts), which grow up to 2-10 cm tall and comprise various-shaped, liquid-filled branchlets. Nama is considered a delicacy and is commonly eaten raw, usually prepared as a fresh salad. It is often combined with lemon juice, coconut milk, chilli, and fermented coconut. Nama can also be commercial product and is commonly sold at local markets, providing an important source of income for local communities. It's crucial to harvest the nama by pinching off the upright branches and leaving the runner to regrow, as new branches can be ready for harvest from the same plant in 3-4 weeks.
To learn more about nama and its significance in Fiji, check out the video linked on our Fiji Language Week page, link in the comments 👇
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Slide 1: Women in Fisheries Network
Slide 2: University of the South Pacific Marine Collection (SUVAA5679)
