By: Luke Rawalai; Tuesday, November 28, 2017. Roko Sau, Roko Josefa Cinavilakeba (right) and local director of the Pacific Blue Foundation speaks at the FLAMMA AGM. Photo Credit: Luke Rawalai The solution to Fiji’s problems, be it climate change, global warming or diminishing natural resources, lies in the practices of our forefathers. Recognising this, the […]
Survey Finds 6 New Marine Species
By: Luke Rawalai; Sunday, November 26, 2017. Photo Credit: Conservation International, Mark Erdmann, Gerry Allen. A scientific survey in the Lau seascape discovered six new marine species endemic to the waters in the group. Considered a new frontier for marine exploration, the Lau Group is one of Fiji’s five priority marine eco-regions. In May 2017, […]
Chief: People Continue to Turn a Blind Eye
By: Luke Rawalai; Published in Fiji Times on November 26, 2017. Photo Credit: Ron Vave. The iTaukei people can lose natural resources entrusted to their care if they continue to turn a blind eye to the management of these endowments. While officially closing the week-long Fiji Locally Marine Managed Areas in Bua Lomanikoro last week, […]
Designating Survey Sites and Creating a Baseline Dataset
Coral reef management requires a robust understanding of the state of the managed environment. For a long-term management plan to be successful, a monitoring scheme of the coral reefs has to be in place. To start with such a process, an initial survey trip onboard the Blue Whale was conducted to execute a baseline (initial status) […]
Frank Exchanges Healthy for Lau: Taoba
Women from Moala and Mualevu during the Lau Provincial Council meeting in Suva on August 1, 2017; Photo: Ronald Kumar. Lau Provincial Council chairperson Ilisoni Taoba says he is impressed by the frank discussions at their meeting which ended yesterday in Suva. Because of that it finished on a high note at Studio 6, he […]
Korova’s Last Canoe Builder
AN article published on ArTalk, Fiji’s independent online art magazine, featured the story of Semiti Paki of Korova, Suva; originally from Moce, in the Lau group, and the relationship built with Pacific Blue Foundation. Dr B. Gregory Mitchell, PBF’s chairman of directors, directed the creation of the annual canoe racing event, Veitau Waqa – The […]
Silence of the Sharks Campaign
Sefano Katz, project manager with PBF and Ziggy Livnat, an award-winning filmmaker, and founder of ‘For The Sea Productions’, had an outreach program at Beqa Island to about 250 children.
CoTS Removal Drive
The Crown-of-thorns starfish were removed from the coral reef off of the coast of Beqa. Picture SUPPLIED Monday, September 19, 2016 by Sikeli Qounadovu Youth of Rukua Village, on Beqa island with the support of Beqa Lagoon Resort, successfully carried out the Island’s very first ‘Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) removal’ initiative. According to research by the […]
The Ocean Keepers
Semiti Cama with one of his new drua canoe under construction. Picture: Jona Konataci Monday, December 05, 2016 by Matilda Simmons WHEN master navigator Jiujiua Bera first saw the Disney’s animated movie Moana at its premier in Damodar Cinema early this month, the 51-year-old cried. The Moce, Lau Islander said he instantly remembered times when […]
Weather fails to deter race enthusiasts
Saturday, August 20, 2016 by Losalini Bolatagici Children follow their model traditional boats at the Suva foreshore. Picture: Joseva Naisua THE rain and cold weather did not dampen the spirits of 145 youngsters who turned up with their families for this year’s traditional canoe race (Veitau Waqa) held at the Suva Foreshore yesterday. They were […]