The Sea and Fiji and New York

Well, the Tui Macuata Ratu Aisea Katonivere is in New York to receive an Award for conservation. It is very pleasing that Fiji's wonderful reef resources are on the agenda as worth caring for. And the waves are good in Fiji too, but hard to find. The pic is at Namoto Island and by Warren Bolster.


from Fiji Times today: Top honours for Fijis reef project
Thursday, June 08, 2006

MACUATA chief Ratu Aisea Katonivere was in New York yesterday to receive the Global Ocean Conservation Award for mooting the protection of the third largest barrier reef in the world.

Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase was also a recipient of the award for working in partnership with non-government organisations and villages.

Mr Qarase and the Tui Macuata were honoured for their partnership and commitment to ensuring that at least 30 per cent of Fijis inshore and offshore marine areas would be effectively managed and financed within a comprehensive, ecologically representative network of marine protected areas by the year 2020.

In a statement issued by the Conservation International yesterday, Mr Qarase said the Government, local communities and non-governmental organisations worked together in this stupendous partnership.

He said the Government was committed to develop a network of marine protected areas into a mainstay for national incomes, coastal livelihoods and traditional cultures.

He said the waters around Fiji could continue to be a source of beauty and biodiversity as much as sustenance and income for the future generations.

Ratu Aisea said he was proud to be a conservation convert.

He said he would encourage the Great Council of Chiefs to renew their commitment to marine conservation. Ratu Aisea has persuaded four other chiefs to join him in establishing the Macuata Marine Protected Area Network and management plan.