Marine and terrestrial resources play a very important role in maintaining biological balance. In Fiji coral reefs cover an area of 10, 020 km² with 68% at risk. Resort operators in the Mamanuca’s are taking a step forward in restoring and protecting natural ecosystems.
Marine and Environment Day is an ongoing awareness program scheduled for MES members. For Castaway Island Resort E-day is specifically for environment awareness projects. Activities range from coral planting, beach and underwater clean up, COT’s Removal, tree planting and other conservation efforts. A great initiative arranged by Castaway since an important Media personnel, Mr Ken Shapiro, (Editor in Chief of Travel Age West, USA) and his daughter, Miss Sally Shapiro aged 10yrs visited Castaway from 21st – 24th January and they are quite interested in environment programs.
Castaway Environment Programme on Thursday, 22nd January was facilitated by Filomena Serenia – MES Marine and Education Officer and Ilisapeci – MES Project Officer. Six of Castaway Kids club members also joined Mr Ken and Sally – who aspires to become a marine biologist, in the coral planting activity. After a briefing on importance of coral reefs, the kids got a chance to plant their very own corals. 33 corals were planted on that day. The MES team assisted the Castaway marine activities team carrying the table to the allocated area on the reef.
Later in the evening, MES Team conducted an environment presentation highlighting marine and terrestrial projects that Castaway is engaged in.
