Consolidating Partnerships For Meaningful Travel
Educating and executing sustainability and conservation programs such as coral planting we are doing today will help rebuild and maintain a healthy marine ecosystem.
Every fortnight the Fiji Hotel & Tourism Association will share updates, stories and news on what the tourism industry is doing in terms of sustainability practices and environment or marine protection programs.
Those pristine beaches, beautifully landscaped gardens and renowned tourism playgrounds that portray Fiji’s people and beauty around the world have some really hard-working people doing amazing things in the background to sustain this Pacific Island paradise we are so fortunate to call our home.
Since the official partnership launch between Marriott International – Fiji Resorts and Mamanuca Environment Society (MES), Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay executed its first coral planting activity on the 2nd of September 2022 with MES participation including an educational session on the importance of the coral reef ecosystem, involving a total of 20 guest participation.
Expert program leader, Ilisapeci Narube, Marine Biologist from Mamanuca Environment Society had a total of 114 Acropora branching coral fragments, one of its common species, collected from the barrier reef surrounding the Momi Bay for the coral planting activity.
Based on research amongst the Momi Bay community, Ms Narube mentions a combination of natural and manmade impacts affecting the coral reefs:
“Marine resources are all connected, their interdependency is critical for survival. Local communities heavily depend on fishing for their source of food and income.
Coral reefs can be harmed by their natural predators such as Drupella snails and farmer fish.
Climate change, pollution and unsustainable fishing practices using non-biodegradable plastic materials are major killers of the coral reefs.
Educating and executing sustainability and conservation programs such as coral planting we are doing today will help rebuild and maintain a healthy marine ecosystem”
Promoting greater learning of the environment to the associates and guests, the partnership with MES equally targets the objective to align with the resort’s Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy for meaningful travels.
The educational session allowed participants to tie coral fragments onto ropes, a proven method to ensure 80-90% of growth and survival before transferring them onto a coral bed frame to be placed into the nursery at North Point.
Through evaluation surveys, MES had identified areas to place a coral nursery in the resort with excellent water flow, shallow water level and protection from storm waves which ensures a high coral fragment growth rate.
For information on the above, you can contact FHTA (info@fhta.com. fj) or contact Marriott International directly.
Source: Fiji Hotel & Tourism Association com.fj
selita.bolanavanua@fijisun.