As the Mamanuca Sea Turtle Conservation Project continues with its 2nd phase, Nakorokula Village in the Tikina of Wai in the Province of Nadroga Navosa held consultations with MES on turtle conservation. MES turtle project officer, Ilisapeci Sokidi who has maternal links to Nakorokula recognized that it was imperative to educate her own community on turtle conservation and most importantly the Turtle Moratorium which is largely a part of her work with the communities in the Mamanuca group of islands.
The consultation aim to improve turtle conservation through promoting community and resort education and awareness, establishing protocols and policy to monitor breeding and foraging of marine turtles, integrating biological research components at community and resort levels and by establishing standardized turtle conservation guidelines on best practices for communities.
An objective of the turtle project is getting all data collected from various communities that would provide statistical evidence and strengthen advocacy for turtle protection. Marica Vakacola, MES Project Manager stated that data collected for nesting and foraging grounds is reported to SPREP (South Pacific Regional Environment Programme) to update all Data in TREDS for Fiji during reporting period. This initiative is a collaborative effort implemented in the Pacific to foster the protection of sea turtles.
Also highlighted in the consultation were decrees and regulations regarding sea turtles in Fiji. Mrs Vakacola highlighted that the trade of turtle shells and any other turtle by-product from Fiji is controlled under Fijian law and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Additionally, resource mapping was also part of the consultation, where participants provided information on relevant maps for nesting and foraging sites. .
Mesulame Ratubola the most popular fisherman in the village shared his encounters with sea turtles in their favorite fishing spots. “When there is good management and leadership in a community, it will surely reflect on the status of natural resources as it will be utilized sustainably,” stated Laisiasa Caginavanua, Chief of Nakorokula Village. The villages of Nakorokula hopes to engage in more awareness workshops with the Mamanuca Environment Society.
