Pacific Conference of Churches General Secretary Reverend James Bhagwan says every community they visit will be more than just another stop on the map where the team will stop in coastal communities to listen to people whose livelihoods, culture and daily lives depend on rivers, mangroves, reefs, coastlines and the ocean.
He says the paddlers will listen and learn about the environmental challenges communities are facing, and highlght the local knowledge and solutions already being used to respond to them.
Reverend Bhagwan adds the journey is one where communities, churches and young people will take part in coastal clean-ups, waste sorting, recycling awareness, environmental education, prayer, worship and talanoa.
He says the ocean is part of Fiji's home and is a source of food, identity, spirituality and life however, it continues to be affected by plastic pollution, unsustainable consumption and the growing impacts of climate change.
Meanwhile, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control Anthony Talouli says poorly managed waste on land can travel through drains, rivers and other waterways before eventually reaching the ocean.
He says this threatens marine ecosystems, people's livelihoods and the wellbeing of communities.
Talouli says protecting the ocean therefore begins with choices made in homes, communities and businesses.
He says the journey will also provide an avenue for community voices to feed into Fiji and the Pacific's priorities ahead of PreCOP31 and COP31.
Talouli says these priorities include keeping the 1.5-degree global warming limit within reach, improving access to climate finance, strengthening recognition of the relationship between the ocean and climate, and ensuring Pacific voices and leadership are heard internationally.
Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr Sivendra Michael says meaningful environmental action starts at the local level, but these efforts must also connect with national, regional and global action on climate change, ocean degradation and plastic pollution.
He says everyone has a responsibility to protect Fiji's living waters for future generations.
The team paddled from the National Sailing Centre to Suva Foreshore and Muaivuso on Tiesday before paddling Togoru and Navukavu in Navua yesterday where they discussed about plastic waste with the Vanua and church and had a training session run by the Waste Recyclers Fiji.
They paddled to Rovadrau, the Pearl Resort and Lomary today.
The team is calling for stronger protection and restoration of rivers, mangroves, reefs and coastal ecosystems, reductions in plastic production and pollution, stronger community recycling initiatives, greater support for locally led climate adaptation and resilience and for frontline communities to have a meaningful role in decisions affecting their land, water and future.
The initiative is organised by the Pacific Conference of Churches and Suva SUPers as part of the 2026 Season of Creation under the theme "Living Waters and supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, SPREP through its Pacific Ocean Litter Project, and Fiji's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
