the heart - Vodafone Fiji

Reaching
Rotuma
A grant of $30,000 was given towards
efforts by the Rotuman community to
safeguard and protect the island's natural
resources through the Laje Rotuma
project.
An initiative of a group of young
Rotumans, Laje Rotuma was launched in
2002. The assistance from the
Foundation has been a major contributor
to the successful implementation of the
second phase of the project, Coordinator,
Monifa Fiu, said .
“Our objective is to create a more
environmentally conscious population
and the funding received has greatly
supported the community action
programmes that we have organised,”
Monifa added.
“Through the funding we have been able
to conduct training on the island on
waste management practices, support
the community in coastal rehabilitation
and introduce best beach practices. We
also have been creating more awareness
on the damage caused by irresponsible
dumping of household waste.”
The initiative aims to protect Rotuma's
heritage for the future and to mobilise the
community to better manage their
natural resources.
“Many of us who are directly involved in
the coordination of LRI have been
privileged to experience life lessons whilst
interacting with our own kinsmen, as well
as share that knowledge with others by
learning from different cultures through
our extended networks,” Monifa said.
Rotuma Island has an approximate land
area of 43 sq. km, and is located about
465km North of the Fiji Islands.
Ms Fiu said Rotuma has often been left
out of the development process due to its
distance from the mainland but through
initiatives like this they were hoping to
change that and address the threats on
the island's marine ecosystem and the
effects of climate change.
Conserving
Gems
In line with the Vodafone ATH Foundation focus on the protection of the
environment, a grant of $91, 753 was made towards researching and
documenting the marine life at the Great Sea Reef in Vanua Levu by WWF
Pacific.
The Great Sea Reef has been identified as one of Fiji’s hidden gems, of global
importance in terms of its biodiversity. It’s the third longest barrier reef in the
world, the most complex sea reef in Fiji and it boasts some of the most
outstanding array of sea life.
The grant made way for a survey which assessed the threats to the reef and
identified sites for conservation projects. A total of 23 sites were surveyed,
including outer barrier reefs, back barrier reefs, channels, mangrove island
fringing reefs, rocky island fringing reefs and submerged patch reefs.
The diversity of marine life was found to be of global, regional, national and
local importance with initial results revealing unique mangrove island
habitats, endemic fish species and some coral and fish species found outside
their usual range.
The survey resulted in the publishing of two scientific reports which confirm
that the reef system is home to 55% of the known coral reef fish in Fiji. In
addition, the Great Sea Reef contains 74% of the actual known corals found in
Fiji and 40% of all of the archipelago’s marine flora and fauna collection.
Further information on the reports can be obtained from the WWF South
Pacific website at www.wwfpacific.org.fj.
www.vodafone.com.fj/foundation
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