Posts by EmosiLasaqa
Turtle Project finally launched
Guidelines for turtle conservation in Fiji including our Pacific Island neighbours are about to get even more precise. This is due to the Mamanuca Environment Society’s passionate commitment to protecting the stunning marine and terrestrial environment of the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji and after they launched their four year, tried and tested “Mamanuca Sea Turtle Conservation” project on June 29. Initially started in 2006 with the Institute of Marine Research (IMR-USP) through an Australian Grant to do research on sea turtles in the Mamanucas, the mission was further boosted through the UNDP Global Environment Facility (GEF ) Small Grant programme of USD$50,000...
Read MoreMES educates schools and resorts
TEN resorts in the Mamanuca Group of Islands and six schools were enlightened on the importance of improving the health of their shared ocean and environment when they celebrated World Environment and World Ocean Day recently. The resorts include, Mana Island, Tokoriki Island Resort, Malolo Island Resort, Matamanoa Island Resort, Namotu Island Resort, Navini Island Resort, Sonaisali Island Resort, Tavarua Island Resort and Likuliku. The participating schools are Vuda District, Momi Primary, Nabila Public, Malolo District, Namamanuca Primary, Mana SDA and TA Learning Centre in Martintar, Nadi. The groups took part in combined celebrations at Castaway Island, Fiji while...
Read MoreStudents catch the eco-friendly tide
Students of T.A Learning Centre- a private institution in Martintar, Nadi were excited to be part of the World Ocean Day this year. And the school’s Principal Taito Alfred said the occasion has set the platform for the many eco-friendly initiatives they are planning to cover this year. Mr Alfred said the day is for students to explore how human actions can affect the natural environment, and take an active role in becoming ‘eco-friendly’. T.A Learning Centre which started in 2005 is the newest member of the Mamanuca Environment Society (MES) – non aligned legal entity that is passionately committed to protecting the stunning marine and terrestrial...
Read MoreConcern over use of GPS fish finder
BY EMOSI LASAQA-Mananuca Environment Society Concern over the uses of GPS fish finder by fishermen in the Mamanuca Groups of Island was raised by the staff of Castaway Island, Fiji during a ‘bati ni tanoa’ session with the Mamanuca Environment Society (MES) on Saturday last week. Hosted by MES Project Manager Betani Salusalu, the session which started this year was aimed at educating resort staff on resilience principles to help them approach the ecosystems they manage from a holistic perspective. Mr Salusalu was speaking on Fish spawning aggregations-a global fisheries problem that deserves the attention of every ocean minded individual. In his presentation, Mr...
Read MoreFrom Naganivatu to Castaway Island, Fiji – Winners! MES Fiji Mothers Day Text Promotion
BY EMOSI LASAQA “It was an unforgettable experience that will last a lifetime”. That’s the verdict from Jimilai Geletasi after spending two nights at the award winning Castaway Island, Fiji. The Naganivatu Villager in Naitasiri was the Mamanuca Environment Society’s Mothers Day text promotion winner. Mr Geletasi said when he received a congratulatory phone call from Leone Vuki of Radio Fiji One on May 3rd -the first thought that crossed his mind was that he was being scammed. “I could not believe my ears and until now, I still find it hard to believe because it’s just too good to be true. From the thousands who entered the competition, we are lucky to be...
Read MoreBlue Coral in abundance at Tokoriki
By EMOSI LASAQA The Blue Coral, scientifically known as Heliopora Coerulea that was found on one of the reefs off Tiliva Island, Viwa in Yasawa was first discovered by former Mamanuca Environment Society scientist Dine Walker way back in 2004 at Tokoriki Island in the Mamanuca groups. A Press Release from the University of the South Pacific on 15 May stated that the blue coral was discovered during a trip by a team from the university (USP) and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs It went on to say that Mr Ron Vave, who works as a Senior Scientific Officer at the Institute of Applied Science based at USP, was part of the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs team....
Read MoreHeart for Sea Turtles
BY EMOSI LASAQA-Mamanuca Environment Society Mamanuca Environment Society field officers Diana Tora and Matereti Mateiwai share two special things in common. They are both from Kadavu and have a soft spot for sea turtles. The former’s first encounter with this gentle creature was at her mother’s village in Ogea, Lau when she was just 12 years old. Mrs Tora has a degree in Marine Science, but she says it did not prepare her for the real-world challenges of turtle conservation. She agreed that helping her ‘tauvus’ in the Mamanuca keep turtles out of their nets was not easy at first but the progress over the years was positive. “Our villages now apply for permits...
Read MoreMalolo Island Resort ocean day campaign a success
Five booths, draped in coconut leaves with ocean conservation messages lined up the white sandy beach of Malolo Island Resort to celebrate World Ocean and Environment Day on Friday June 5. Organised by the Mamanuca Environment Society, the campaign was a huge success, leaving a lasting impression on the tourists who took part in the event. The day started with the booth tour where each department showcased their role on how they help in the conservation of the marine and terrestrial environment. The guests were given the task to act as judge and to determine the top booth of the day. The Maintenance and Engineering Department was voted the best based on their...
Read MoreA trip to cherish – The Perfect Mothers Day for Salome Adikula Rabuka
BY EMOSI LASAQA-Mamanuca Environment Society Despite living in Nawaka Village, South Sea Island which is just 30 minutes from Port Denarau was a mystery for Salome Adikula Rabuka until Tuesday May 22. The 29 year old mother of two was the second winner of the Mamanuca Environment Society mother’s day promotion. The reward was a full day relaxation at the small yet exotic South Sea Island, surrounded by crystal clear waters and magnificent coral reefs. “My husband entered the promotion during the mother’s day week. After 20 minutes we received a text from Bula FM that we’d won. I was overjoyed.” The journey, she said started at Port Denarau where she received...
Read MoreTurtles in the spotlight – “Please save our Turtles”!
BY EMOSI LASAQA-Mamanuca Environment Society The first journey of just-hatched fragile baby sea turtles, struggling to get to the relative safety of the ocean, is often fraught with dangers. Imagine hundreds of baby turtles struggling out of their sandy nest and instinctively heading towards the glow of the sea. It’s a sight familiar to many fans of nature documentaries, but seen less often with our naked eyes. Birds and land mammals swoop down on the baby turtles, reducing numbers by as much as 80%. The bulk of sea turtles never make it through their first day alive. According to research, only about 25 per cent are likely to survive their first year in the ocean and...
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