Resort consultation has begun for the second phase of the Mamanuca Turtle Conservation Project.
The second phase of the Turtle project will involve implementation of the Best Practices Guidelines and Policy. The Best Practices Guidelines and Policy is a document produced in the first phase of the Mamanuca Turtle Project which targets tourism operators in the region. The objective of this consultation is to go back to the resorts that helped put together this document to review and make recommendations and at the same time revive and rally the resorts support towards the Mamanuca Turtle Conservation Project Phase 2 for the next 3 years.
Also discussed during the resort consultation is the project proposal, highlighting the project activities and expected outcomes. Other information shared with the consultation participants include data collated by South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) on the TRED Database, the current Turtle moratorium and different species of Turtles found in Fiji.
In the first phase of the turtle project, one of the outcomes was the production of a map, showing nesting and foraging grounds for sea turtles in the Mamanuca region. To update and re-confirm this map the consultation participants also conducted resource mapping, identifying turtle nesting and foraging areas that they are aware of.
Malolo, Navini, Castaway, Vomo, Mana consultation has been completed with a few member resorts left to be covered.
The society aims to provide as much information to its entire member resorts staff and make all aware of the plight of sea turtles and the important role we all play to protect sea turtles.
Resorts are one of the key stakeholders in this project due to their operations in and around surrounding waters that are frequented by sea turtles .Activities such as snorkeling, coral viewing, scuba diving and other motorized and non- motorized watersports activities are part of the guest daily activities. The Best Practices Guidelines and Policy document will ensure that these activities are carried out in the best way that will not harm sea turtles, alter or damage the nesting and feeding areas of sea turtles.
The society and its small dedicated team hope to complete consultations with all its member resorts next month. The society would like to thank all our member resorts for their support towards this great and challenging work ahead of us and looks forward to working closely with you all.
