Fiji's Daily Post Editorial
Editor's note: The following editorial by Nazreen Bibi appeared recently in Fiji's Daily Post. Seacology has recently received press coverage in Asian Diver Magazine, Earth Island Journal and ISLANDS Magazine.
It was a time of joy for Waisomo villagers when they were donated a boat by the Seacology Foundation, a non-governmental organization aimed at preserving island ecosystems throughout the world, yesterday at Suva Point.
The boat christened Dreu Na Leba was launched in traditional Fijian style into the sea with a crowd of cheering onlookers.
According to Saula Vodonaivalu, a representative of the Seacology Foundation, small islands have exclusive economic zones with huge territorial claims to surrounding oceans. "The exclusive economic zones of islands cover one sixth of the earth's surface and harbor one half of the world's biodiversity," Mr. Vodonaivalu said. "Because of their size most of the islands are not able to resist pressures from outside developers, nor can they afford appropriate environmental remediation procedures."
He said the ecosystems on these islands are fragile and under severe threat.
"Too often local people are given little or no incentive to protect or save an endangered species." Seacology has opted to give islanders tangible benefits so that the local environment is protected, said Mr. Vodonaivalu.
Presently the foundation is working on mangrove conservation in Taiwan, the construction of mooring buoys to protect the coral reefs of Vava'u, Tonga, and the construction of a well and solar electrification power supply in Haiti.
