FIJI, Navolau Village, Viti Levu Island - July 2004
Community center in exchange for the creation of a 370,658-acre marine reserve
Navolau Village is located in Ra Province on Fiji's main island of Viti Levu. The village has agreed to create a 370,658-acre no take reserve within their traditional fishing rights area for a period of ten years in exchange for Seacology's funding of a much-needed community center.
UPDATE July 2005 - Construction of the community center began in August 2004 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2005.
UPDATE January 2006 - As of October 2005, villagers had an electrical pole removed from the site in order to complete the final phase of construction to the community center. Building completion was expected by the end of 2005.
UPDATE June 2006 - Building completion was postponed when the village project leader turned his efforts toward running for political office in the May 2006 election. Seacology staff and Field Representative Saula Vodonaivalu Jr. will continue to check on the status of the villagers’ work to complete the building.
UPDATE January 2007 - Construction of the building was completed in late 2006 with some maintenance work left to be scheduled for 2007 on one side of the community center.
UPDATE June 2007 - As of May 2007 plumbing is being installed and the village plans to paint the building in August 2007.
UPDATE October 2007 - Field Representative Saula Vodonaivalu Jr. visited the site to check on progress and reported that an opening ceremony would occur soon.
