Page 19 - Islands Business May-June 2022

Oceans Oceans

contains the world’s greatest diversity of coastal species, province.
while oceanic groups consistently peak across broad mid- He has also been spearheading efforts to get the Fijian
latitudinal bands in all oceans.” Government of Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama to support
This report formed the basis of the strategic plan of the Lau a community effort that aims to promote sustainable develop-
Seascape of 2018 to 2030, which touched on the richness of ment.
Lau’s flora and fauna, both on land and in the ocean, and the “We realised very early on that in order to preserve and
acute need for its protection. sustainably use our natural resources whether on land or in
“Each island in the Lau Group is recorded to have a suite the ocean, we will need money to drive this,” Cinavilakeba
of special habitats that host endemic species,” said the Lau says.
Seascape Strategic Plan 2018 – 2030. “Instead of relying on the national government, the Lau
“The island of Totoya has cauliflower corals; Moala Island Seascape strategic plan has outlined how conservation tour-
has a unique stick insect found on mountain tops of larger ism would be able to finance this.
islands in Fiji, and bees that may have speciated; Matuku “This will be a win-win for everyone involved, as not
Island is known to host giant clam; Ono-i-Lau, Vatavara and only would we protect and preserve the resources that God
some uninhabited islands have the Pacific boa snake, which is has gifted us, but we should also earn a living from these
currently threatened with extinction; Ono-i-Lau hosts the red natural resources through controlled tourism,” Roko Josefa
skink; Fulaga has unique and endemic butterflies; Yagasa has Cinavilakeba said.
beautiful coral reefs, marine vertebrates, humpback whales In addition to the challenge of financing this vision and
and seabirds; Vatoa hosts the endemic Devil clam and is a scientific research, founders of the Lau Seascape have been
humpback whale migratory route; Vanuavatu has bats and grappling with a working and acceptable legal framework
naturally occurring phosphate; Namuka has krast vegetation; under which the initiative can operate.
Tuvana has giant clams and edible sea grapes; Kabara has Both Roko Josefa and Tuisese said the consensus seems to
natural stands of majestic forests hosting vesi trees among revolve around a deed of trust, operating independently yet
rocky outcrops; and Vuaqava has long horn beetles.” complimentary of the national government’s framework.
Vatuvara is under the care of Vatuvara Private Islands. All that hard work seems to be paying off.
“It hosts the endemic Fiji banded iguana, currently threat- Opening the Lau Provincial Council in Suva in the first week
ened with extinction, and the Pacific boa,” the report states. of June, Prime Minister Bainimarama described the Lau Sea-
“The shy ground dove (Alopecoenas stairi), threatened with scape as “among Fiji’s most precious jewels.”
extinction elsewhere due to introduced predators, is also “When I go to the world on behalf of our people to speak in
found there. defence of our ocean – I do so for the sake of the over 500 fish
“Vatuvara Island is surrounded by healthy and diverse coral species, 200 species of hard coral and all the rich biodiversity
communities. that the more than 7,000 Fijians in your province rely on for
“Healthy populations of coconut crabs (Birgus latro) have food and jobs and as a bastion of culture.
been identified in the islands of Vatuvara, Yacata and Kaibu in “We have committed to sustainably managing all of Fiji’s
Northern Lau. ocean, with 30% declared as marine protected areas by 2030.
Behind this mammoth conservation effort is the interna- “And when I envision the future of Fiji’s sustainable blue
tional environmental group, Conservation International, which economy – I see Lau’s more than 52,000 kilometres of ocean
has been working with the chiefs and peoples of Lau in the as its beating heart.
formation of Lau Seascape. “As we explore these waters together, I recall the words of
Other environmental NGOs and research institutions includ- Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna (a Fijian leader) to always “make haste
ing the Coral Reef Alliance, the Pacific Blue Foundation, Blue slowly”.
Nature Alliance, Loving Islands, Vatuvara Foundation, the Fiji “Even though we know where we are going, we will tread
Locally Managed Marine Area Network, and the University of carefully to ensure that we do not trample on nature, on
the South Pacific have lent support to the initiative. livelihoods, and on your people’s well-being.
“Lau Seascape has been driven primarily by the wishes of “That balance will always be struck in consultation with
the chiefs of Lau for the preservation and the protection of your communities.
their God-given resources, both on land and in the ocean,” “The Lau Seascape project is a noble initiative that re-
said Susana Waqainabete-Tuisese, Director of Conservation ceived your Council’s endorsement.
International’s Oceania office. “But it sorely needs a new direction, focus and leadership
“Learning from our experiences with other land and sea- to implement.”
scapes around the globe, the halo concept, where harvesting For Tuisese and her team of donors and supporters, this
zones are clearly demarcated around no-take zones may be matter of leadership has been a key challenge as well because
the most viable option for Lau.” precedents are rare when it comes to the successful merging
Chair of the bose vanua ko Lau (Lau’s council of chiefs) of formal (western-based) and informal (traditional-based)
Turaga Roko Sau, Roko Josefa Cinavilakeba has been at the systems of governance in any initiative of this magnitude.
forefront of Lau Seascape consultations and study tours of his
publisher@islandsbusiness.com

Islands Business, May-June 2022 19