Update: 1:40PM FIJI’S very own traditional voyaging canoe, the Uto ni Yalo, set sail for the Lomaiviti and Bua waters this morning to build up community support up for the establishment of offshore marine managed areas in the Vatu-i-Ra Seascape.
Uto ni Yalo Trust secretary Dwain Qalovaki said the seven-day voyage would focus on highlighting Fiji’s commitment to establishing marine-managed areas and continue its program of growing support for the protection of our ocean.
A joint statement from the Trust and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) stated the voyage was part of a joint effort it both had with the Government, aimed to engage with communities to generate feedback and support for the gazetting and zoning of two large marine-managed areas within Fiji’s Vatu-i-Ra Seascape.
The Vatu-i-Ra Seascape stretches 28,894 km2 across the channel that links the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
It is understood the Uto ni Yalo is expected to make a 148-nautical mile voyage to the seascape.
WCS Fiji program director Dr Sangeeta Mangubhai said the Uto ni Yalo voyage was also a celebration and recognition of the efforts that local communities had made throughout the seascape to manage their qoliqoli areas.
