This year’s 1st round of water analysis was carried out from the 11th to the 15th of March, 2008. The sampling covered all the Islands in the Mamanucas including the coastal areas along the Nadi – Lautoka corridor. The 1st water sampling took place in 2003 which serves as our baseline data for comparative purposes.
In the past few years, an increased amount of seaweeds and algae was noticed washing up on some resort’s beaches. Seaweeds and algae thrive on increased concentrations of nitrates and phosphates leading to enrichment of these nutrients in the water column. Point sources are wastewater treatment plants, runoff from fertilized lawns and cropland, failing septic systems, runoff from animal manure storage areas, disturbed land areas, drained wetlands, and water treatment. A decrease in the population of certain marine fishes that feed on seaweeds and algae is also a contributing factor to the seaweed bloom.
Water analysis on a regular basis is a method by which the MES with its members employs to not only monitor nitrates and phosphates levels in the ocean but to also monitor and help decrease point sources. The next phase of water analysis for the region will be conducted in September.
