Update: 7:08M ALIFERETI Tawake, a community advocate and marine researcher from Kadavu, today received the prestigious World Wildlife Fund’s for his tireless support of communities throughout the region to better manage the land and sea.
Mr Tawake helped found the Locally Managed Marine Areas Network (LMMA) 15 years ago as coastal communities were increasingly facing challenges in meeting their food and income in the face of resource decline and few alternative livelihoods.
“It was not too long ago that the scientific community and government refused to believe that communities could lead the way,” he said in a statement.
“But this award is recognition of what communities can do if given the chance, and what they can contribute the global efforts to conserve our planet.”
Mr Tawake said he received the award not as an individual, but as a representative of many local leaders, who have demonstrated over decades that the most effective way to conserve the world’s natural resources is by empowering communities.
