VEPA News: IWCM Mangrove Rehabilitation Project for Climate Change Adaptation Update

Planting mangroves for climate change adaptation.

Living in the islands of Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga, we are surrounded by ocean, coral reefs and fragile coastline that are susceptible to the threats of global climate change. In Vava’u alone, there are higher tides, stronger storms, winter weather in summer and summer weather in winter. The islands are seeing changes both visibly and economically associated with climate change.

Working for the IWCM Coastal Management Project, VEPA is responsible for a mangrove rehabilitation project for climate change adaptation. Sponsored by AusAid and SOPAC, this project looks into mitigating and adapting to climate change through community development. The first site we are working at is Neiafu Tahi, located on the main island of Vava’u Lahi, and a critical community area. The “Old Harbour” as it is known locally, is a small harbor for local fishing vessels, a fishing ground for the women collecting mollusks for food and a home for over 300 people directly.

The area is seeing the impacts of climate change with higher seas washing over the sea wall, storm surges and soil erosion. Our part of the project is to show how mangroves can be used as a reducing species of climate change. Mangroves all over the tropics are vital for many uses in community development. Here in Vava’u, they provide shoreline protection from winds and waves, reduce sediments and pollutants flowing from the land to the sea and on to the coral reefs. In some areas, the mangroves are very healthy, in other areas they have been depleted due to coastal developments.

Fence to protect seedlings from pigs © Karen Stone 2013

To work alongside the community with different ways to improve on the health of the coastal areas is vital for a sustainable future. The mangroves being planted are a pilot project to showcase mangroves as a tool for climate change adaptation. The initial plot has 100 mangrove seedlings planted with a further plot coming in later December. The community helped to build the fence, essential in Vava’u to protect the seedlings from roaming pigs that search for mollusks at low tide.

Fence Building team © Karen Stone 2013

Community members from Neiafu Tahi, APTC alumni students and kids all helped plant the mangrove seedlings after they were propagated in water bottles by school kids from Liviela Government Primary School.

APTC Alumni students © Ashlee Jones 2013

An Environmental Ambassador, Lisa Tongamoa, from Neiafu Tahi, works for the project developing community support and initiatives to create ownership of their resources.

Lisa Tongamoa, Environmental Ambassador © Karen Stone 2013

It is hoped that more mangroves will be grown as an adaptation to climate change, a workshop on sustainable harvesting of mangroves for cultural uses including dyes for mats will be happening in the New Year and further studies carried out on the impacts of climate change on the coastal area.

A huge thank you to the team and community for their efforts and support.