The Lau Seascape 30×30 Marine Protected Areas Awareness and Consultation pages officially closed at Tubou Village in Lakeba on last Thursday.
Officiating at the event, Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Jovesa Vocea said Government was grateful to the people of Lau for their vision and commitment to Government’s initiative.
“We thank you for your active engagements and dedication to these consultation sessions as we strive to achieve our targets in the protection of more than 8 per cent of our ocean in the Lau group,” said Mr Vocea.
“The Lau island groups comprise a diverse and rich culture and encompasses the largest ocean area of Fiji’s provinces.
“The Lau seascape inhabits some of the most astonishing marine ecosystems and biodiversity, however, in recent decades climate change and human activities have threatened our marine ecosystem and biodiversity.”
He adds that the threats presented demand the need to manage our marine and coastal areas sustainably.
“The protection of these ecosystems and their biodiversity is our responsibility to safeguard our source of food and income for our future generation.
“The consultation has been an opportunity for the team to hear your concerns on the subject and in the spirit of partnership your contributions have been crucial in the achievement of our national goal which is to protect 30 per cent of our oceans by the year 2030.”
Thirteen districts in the Lau group were visited by the consultation team and Mr Vocea said leadership in the province played an important role in seeing the program through.
He said Government was grateful to the leadership of those 13 tikinas for its commitment to such an important cause.
“I reassure you that the Government of Fiji and its partners is committed to ensuring that your natural resources are protected so that your children will enjoy what you enjoy today,”
The Assistant Minister also acknowledged the important roles of Conservation International Fiji and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN Oceania) in the 30×30 initiative.
Six blocks of the ocean have been earmarked for the MPA initiative in the Lau Seascape and all are located out of our archipelagic baseline.
IUCN director general Mason Smith also accompanied the Assistant Minister to Lakeba for the closing of the consultation.
