FIJI, Levukai Daku Village, Matuku Island, Lau Group - January 2008
Community center in exchange for the establishment of a 19,200-acre no-take marine reserve for a duration of 10 years
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Matuku Island is one of 10 scattered islands comprising Fiji’s Lau Group. Levukai Village, with a population of about 200, relies primarily on coconut (copra) resources for their subsistence lifestyle. The village has its own primary school, as well as a health center that caters to the other few villages in the Lau Group. Seacology is providing the village with funds for a much-needed community center. In exchange, the people of Levukai Daku are will declare 19,200 acres of their fishing rights area as a no-take marine reserve. Fiji’s former President Ratu Mara declared the waters of the Lau Group closed to commercial fishing 10 years ago; the new no-take area will be closed to all fishing activity.
UPDATE May 2008 - Materials were purchased in February 2008. As of April 2008 the foundation and wall framing was completed and the crew was moving on to installing the roof. A site visit and ceremony is scheduled for August 2008.
