Development is moving towards the mangroves, says Blue Prosperity Fiji strategic advisor Joeli Veitayaki.
Mr Veitayaki said there has been a reduction of mangrove areas over the past few years in the North due to land reclamation.
“My observations around Labasa, including areas near Galaxy Hotel and new residential and industrial zones, suggest that development is moving on to mangrove areas,” Mr Veitayaki said.
He told a Wildlife Conservation Society workshop that while development was good for the economy, it was often harmful to the environment.
“I am sometimes very sceptical about development because the long-term costs of such activities can be substantial,” Mr Veitayaki said.
He said there was a need for mangroves as they act as natural barriers against tidal surges and are important to marine life.
“If we are removing the mangroves, we are endangering marine life,” he said, adding there was a need to strengthen the law in order to address the issue.
