Eco-Camp

Board members of VEPA are involved in all levels of conservation, education and awareness. On Friday, board members Don, Winnie and Karen as well as Carolyn, hosted talks to youths aged between 11-15 on the environment and how it is involved in their future. Topics covered included mangroves, waste and pollution, soil erosion.

Great work everyone

Hong Kong Shark Fin Sidewalk - Alex Hofford

Hong Kong Shark Fin Sidewalk - Alex Hofford

Video showing the shark fins as they lay on a street in Hong Kong, heart wrenching to watch.

Mangrove Reforestation Project 2 - Holeva

Our continuing conservation work with the mangrove reforestation this year has begun its implementation and community consultation.

Vava'u Marine Chart © Melinda Sea Adventures

The target area for the reforestation this year is Holeva. Holeva is located on the East shoreline of Vava'u, and whilst on one side is home to a healthy mangrove area, the outer side from the causeway has become barren land. This created large areas of issue for the community during the Tsunami, where the causeway was damaged and cars and boats dragged into the water.
The plan will be to improve the protection of the coastline area with the planting of mangroves creating a barrier from the outer reef area. Mangroves used to grow naturally in the area but have been removed or destroyed for various reasons.
This project will be much larger than the Koloa mangrove project, estimates of up to 1,000 mangroves will need to be planted to add the much needed protection and to improve on the estuary.
The community meeting will be held on Monday at 2pm with the town officer and we look forward to the implementation and upcoming project.
More to come as the project develops, this project is also being assisted by students of St Mary's in California who will be coming to Holeva in January for mangrove field work and coral reef and fish studies.

Project Update - Recycling and Waste

The "Making Vava'u a Refuge from Waste" has been an on going project since our large clean up in October. Villages from the North side of Vava'u Lahi continue their own recycling and clean up projects with the back up and support of the team from VEPA.
The TV airing of the clean up has continued to inspire many others to join in and though this project has completed its initial stage, we continue in our work and efforts to educate, assist and support the local communities to set up their own recycling and waste management systems.
Again we would like to thank Canada Fund for their support of our project as well as all our local sponsors who donated time, drinks, flour sacks and boats for the clean up project.
Local sponsors include
Pafilio Tangitau and Sons
Marnis Barge
Melinda Sea Adventures
Issy Baker
Dive Vava'u
Hakula Lodge
JM Store
Digicel
Tropicana Cafe
GIO Recycling