Projects

Our Work to Preserve Ecology

Work in Fiji

The Fijian Islands boast biologically diverse marine environments that were once prevalent throughout the world. Unfortunately, anthropogenic effects, such as overfishing, pollution, and anchoring, are now beginning to devastate Fiji’s coast and fisheries as well.

Pacific Blue Foundation wants to promote sustainable practices and resource management plans that will restore deteriorating ecosystems and conserve healthy and sustainable environments. We collaborate with other organizations and departments in order to properly facilitate such workshops and understanding.

Efforts to Preserve and Protect Ecology

PBF supports workshops that inform locals of environmental issues

  • Dr. Davey Kline, a coral reef biologist, and Dr. Greg Mitchell, Chairman of the Board, presented practices that currently threaten the coral reef and provided solutions that could be implemented to protect the reef, which forms a key part of the village’s livelihood.
  • Partners in Community Development in Fiji (PCDF) worked with PBF to provide a workshop that informed locals of the recent fish decline, the cause of the decline, and how Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) could help improve the fisheries.
  • PBF sponsored village leaders to attend a three-day Marine Resource Awareness and Management Plan workshop, held by the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas network (FLMMA), which discussed environmental issues and action plans to reduce ecological threats.

PBF helps implement sustainable community programs

  • Pacific Blue Foundation sponsored a Control Program for Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS), offered by Austin Bowden-Kerby, the director of Corals for Conservation. The program was created to minimize the COTS infestation and restore balance to the coral reef ecosystem. Villagers were paid for COTS recovered, which encouraged participation and awareness. A documentary on Bowden-Kerby's work won the Short Film Award at Wildscreen.
  • Pacific Blue Foundation started a Waste Disposal Program on Yanuca Island to promote proper disposal of non-organic waste, such as bottles, plastic and tins; and toxic waste, such as batteries. Villagers were provided a monetary reward for collected waste as an incentive to partake. Ultimately, locals learned about the hazards of battery waste, the aesthetic benefits of proper waste disposal, and a growing respect for the environment.
  • Villagers participated in a Rocket Stove Program, a form of clean cooking sponsored by PBF, with the aim of reducing air pollution, fuel costs, and time spent foraging for wood.

PBF provides funding for conservation studies

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  • Dr. Andy Hamm, a consultant from National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) , surveyed energy resources on the island so as to provide ideas for viable and sustainable uses of energy and resources.
  • PBF conducted surveys to obtain village data for the following conditions: housing, sanitation, water, transportation, education, power, and population.
  • Villagers that participated in the Rocket Stove Program provided survey data three months prior to obtaining the rocket stove and three months after. The data helped verify the effectiveness of the Rocket Stoves, and participants were compensated for their efforts.