Villagers in Naivakacau Grateful for Government Assistance
Mangroves protect shorelines from erosion, flooding, and storm damage; and filter for pollutants to help maintain water quality.
It is a habitat for various species of flora and fauna, a place of breeding, nurturing, and food niche for many aquatic biotas. They also have the role of carbon store, absorbing carbon from the air and enhancing the world’s carbon reserve. With an estimated area of 46 600 hectares, Fiji has the third-largest area of mangroves in the Pacific after Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, mostly on the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The largest area of mangroves is in the Rewa Delta on Viti Levu, and it is under threat from climate change and overexploitation.
The shoreline area consists of mangrove ecosystem, coral reef ecosystem, seagrass and sea shore forest vegetation. Fiji’s coastline habitat is dominated by mangrove forests and shoreline plant life. The Ministry of Forestry includes mangrove plantations and coastal flora as forests.
Additionally, in its Strategic Plan, the importance of mangroves, management of coastal areas, and mitigation of coastal erosion are taken into account in the context of rising sea levels and preservation of coastal environments and communities.
Naivakacau vow protect mangroves
Naivakacau village in Tailevu was also fortunate to be part of the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) project.
ITTO, an intergovernmental organisation promotes the sustainable management and conservation of tropical forests and the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber from sustainably managed and legally harvested forests.
The project which is implemented by the Ministry of Forestry aims to reverse the degradation of mangrove resources in the Rewa Delta. Naivakacau Village being part of the densely populated mangrove area received support from the project through the development of their shrimp farm.
The impact of the project, according to the villagers has been an eye opener as they have improved their decision-making on mangrove use and management. to sustain and
An alternative livelihood through shrimp farming
With brackish water intrusion into the village farm-land, ITTO developed a shrimp farm together with the Ministry of Fisheries Aquaculture Division.
“That was one way in which we could mitigate the flooding of their farm land, by digging up a pond for shrimp production,” explained Acting Permanent Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry Atelaite Rokosuka.
The villagers embraced the shrimp farm wholeheartedly and all took turns in feeding and cleaning of the pond.
“There was a very successful harvest and the villagers are now waiting for their next batch of shrimp post larvae to be released into their pond,” added Ms Rokosuka.
“The ITTO project has brought many benefits to local communities in the Delta, such as the creation of more sustainable livelihood op
tions.”
“We were happy with the first harvest as we raked in more than $2000,” said Alanieta Saravi, a women’s representative in Naivakacau. “The shrimp pond has been a successful alternative and we await the advice and assistance of the fisheries aquaculture team for our next batch.
“This will add to our community coffers when harvested and sold and it will create an alternative option for us instead of always having to depend on our [mangrove] resources.”
Ministry hands over boat and engine
Last week, the Ministry of Fisheries handed over a 23 foot boat and engine totaling $13, 250 much to the delight of the people of Naivakacau.
Speaking to the villagers during the handing over, Ms Rokosuka said the ministry will continue to work together with the community to enable them to achieve their economic development and sustainable goals.
“The impacts of climate change is posing a challenge on the community to utilise their land for crop farming, hence they depend on the mangroves and the sea for food security and livelihoods,” said Ms Rokosuka.
Signing off during the handing over, new boat captain, Lepani Tule thanked the Ministry for remembering the people of Naivakacau. “We have had challenges of transporting our fisherfolk out to sea and of course through the mangrove systems to look for mud crabs. “With this new boat, I am sure that the fisherfolk are relieved as they are now assured of transport out to sea for fishing expeditions.
“We will set up a committee that will look into its operation as well as boat maintenance,” added Mr Tule.
It is envisaged that this intervention from the Ministry will trigger economic developments in the community in terms of fishing and the culture of marine species like mangrove oyster and crab fattening projects.