KNOW OUR ENDANGERED SPECIES
Wouldn’t it be sad when tagimoucia flowers will only be pictures found in a book, magazine or online? .
Or the crested iguana, and bumphead parrot fish, which protects our reefs, and the kulawai bird featured on the five-dollar note, are just images to remind us of species that once thrived in our environment. Among other species highlighted by the Department of Environment, most fall under the endangered and protected species. Permanent Secretary for Environment Joshua Wycliffe said there were thousands of species that were under threat around the world.
This is due to:
• Human activities;
• Habitat loss;
• Ecosystem loss;
• Destruction through development;
• Excessive hunting;
• Pollution;
• Ignorance;
• Climate Change; and
• Illegal and unregulated trade
IDENTIFYING ENDANGERED SPECIES
Mr Wycliffe clarified that before they mark any species as endangered; a scientific authority called Non-detrimental Finding (NDF) does a thorough research on the species.
Through NDF they are able to identify which species are under depletion or about to be extinct. The department also relies on studies from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), who have listed some endangered species under their Red List.
PROTECTING OF ENDANGERED SPECIES
The Department of Environment does the following to protect the Fiji’s endangered species:
Sit in scientific councils and contribute to case studies and real issues in terms of compliance and surveillance; The Department plans to use drone systems to be able to survey any form of illegal activity;
When a species is listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Department takes over enforcement and conduct surprise checks and inspections.
WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES
Biodiversity Parks within communities is a priority for the department in its community awareness programmes. The first Biodiversity Park was set up in the villages of
Kalokolevu and Abaca. The aim is to establish 50 Biodiversity Parks within 12 months.
VALUABLE ASSETS
Mr Wycliffe has reminded Fijians that endangered species are a nation’s most valued property or asset.
“You treat these species as your valuable assets as much as you treat gold. Protect and value them and above all try and increase your assets, that’s what we do in life; we live, work hard towards increasing our assets for future security - we do the same with these species.
“They add to your economic value, security not just food but financial security not for you but for your future generation as well,” he said.
ON THE LIST
Regarding the tagimoucia and voivoi, Mr Wycliffe said while it had a cultural significance, he encouraged communities to farm these endangered species.
The tagimoucia are often used for garlands for those who hail from the ‘Garden Island’ of Taveuni, where the flowers are found.
Voivoi on the other hand are used to weave mats, baskets after they are cooked, dried and softened.
UNREGULATED TRADE
Mr Wycliffe highlighted that one of the things that Fiji is looking at is how unregulated trade could impact species depletion.
In the past, there were three attempts of illegal trading of a particular species. These attempts were successfully stopped by the Department of Environment.
At least two cases are under judicial proceedings.