BIORAP Survey of the Vava'u archipelago

This is a vital and important survey initiated by Ministry of Lands, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, SPREP, Waitt Foundation and VEPA, to explore the habitats of both land and sea for species diversity, species habitat and to collaborate resources for the improved ecosystem health of coral reefs, sea birds, reptiles, marine mammals and not forgetting plants.

As part of the marine team, we have 10 researchers involved in identifying, counting and monitoring the health of one of the most important ecosystems for Pacific Island nations, coral reefs. Coral reefs provide valuable protection and ecosystem services to both cultural and commercial avenues in Tonga.

Our studies include
Coral Taxonomy - species identification
Coral Health monitoring - percentage of coral cover, disease and invasive species impacts.
Reef Fish Biodiversity - species list and abundance.
Commercial Fish - fish used both culturally and commercially and there abundance for sustainability.
Invertebrates -  crustaceans, molluscs, nudibranch and other small yet vitally important organisms that clean, provide nutrients and food to other marine life.

Our team consists of 4 Tongan partners, 2 from Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forests and Foods and 2 from Ministry of Lands, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, as well as overseas scientists residing in American Samoa, Hawaii, Singapore, Australia and oh little ole me!

So what does BIORAP mean - its a rapid assessment of the biodiversity of the islands and marine life in Vava'u. There are many areas that have data deficient statistics and though this survey is short, so much valuable data will be collected and passed on to the government and communities to fill gaps and to exchange with local knowledge on the status of the ecosystems.

None of this would of happened without a lot of input from varying parties striving towards the same goal, to improve and protect the ecosystem health and species habitat of Vava'u for a sustainable future.

For the marine team, we are currently based on the Waitt Institute Scientific Research Platform, with a crew working above and beyond to enable us to carry out and conduct these surveys of the outer coral reefs. We have spanned far and wide including Fonualei, Toku, Maninita and many other far reaching islands.

Lutjanus kasmira - Blue lined snapper.

Acropora sp. - healthy coral.

Monitoring of introduced species Trochus niloticus.

We have 7 more days to go as I write this, at present we have conducted over 30 hours of studying the reefs and their dynamics underwater and other hours are left to compile the data we collect as we blow bubbles.

This is a fantastic project, one VEPA holds very dear to its heart, but without all the hard work from all the partners, scientists and funders, this would not be happening. We have a long road ahead and a lot more data to collect in the next week, but we will keep you updated as we can.

Malo
Karen

Turtle project is moving forward

this link is for a blog post written by Karen, Project coordinator for VEPA about the attendance of Kate and Karen to the Tonga Community Turtle Monitoring and Eco-Tourism workshop that they attended in Nuku'alofa.

The project will be getting into full swing in a short period of time and we shall be keeping you up to date with details and progress as we go.

Luckily for Kate and Karen, turtles are found on beaches and reefs and not in 3 feet of mangrove mu like the MESCAL survey they were just involved in. No matter they were still smiling despite being a bit stinky!

The First Recycling Bins

On Monday the 27th of June, we have installed the first three recycling bins in the 'Utukalongalu market. Karen's staff from dive Vava'u also put up good signs to make them visible. It is going quite well after a short period of time, people have started to use it.

The total cost for the 3 cages was TOP900, they are strong and robust.

There is a big concern about the market area, because there is a more rubbish being thrown around and there is a need to stop people from dropping litter. Hopefully these recycling bins will help us in minimizing the littering and pollution.

If this project is successful, we are planning to buy more bins and place them on more stations in town and other villages.

'I he 'aho Monite 17 'o Sune, na'e fokotu'u ai e ngaahi fuofua lisaikolo pini fo'ou 'e tolu 'i he 'Utukalongalu maketi. Na'e hanga foki 'e he kau ngaue 'a Karen mei he dive Vava'u 'o fokotu'u moha ngaahi faka'ilonga lelei mo mahino ki he mahino'i 'e he kakai, pea 'oku 'i ai foki 'a e fakalakalaka ke kamata ke ngaue'aki 'e he kakai 'a e ngaahi lisaikolo pini ko eni.

Ko e ngaahi lisaikolo pini foki ko eni 'oku fefeka 'aupito mo tolonga 'a ia ko honau mahu'inga na'e fe'unga faka-katoa moe pa'anga 'e 900.

'Oku 'i ai foki 'a e tokanga lahi ki he feitu'u 'Utukalongalu maketi, koe'uhi koe fakaveve noa'ia ko ia 'a e kakai, 'a ia 'oku 'i ai 'a e fiema'u ke ta'ofi kinautolu mei he fakaveve noa'ia. 'Oku 'i ai foki 'a e 'amanaki 'e tokoni lahi 'a e ngaahi lisaikolo pini ko eni ki hono fakasi'isi'i 'a e laku veve noa'ia pea pehe ki hono 'uliki hotau 'atakai.

'I he lava lelei ko ia 'a e poloseki ko 'eni, 'e 'i ai leva mo e ngaahi palani ke toe 'omai mo ha ngaahi lisaikolo pini fo'ou ki he ngaahi feitu'u loto kolo pea pehe foki ki he ngaahi kolo kehe.

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

Conservation Project 2: Soil Erosion

Our mangrove project continues and the second project will be starting again soon. Over 60 mangroves are growing strong within the fence area and this is due to be removed to a new area next week.

So we have turned our efforts towards our second pilot project which is run in conjunction with Department of Environment and Department of Agriculture. The project is being initiated in the village of Utungake as they approached us with the issues they are facing.

Our project includes locating areas where soil erosion is effecting both the environment and the community agricultural areas. Soil erosion on any small islands effects not just terrestrial environments but also marine habitats as well, as the run off enters the ocean through mangrove areas and effects corals, fish life and the mangroves themselves.

To begin the project we located 2 areas, one of the cliff side and one in the village where our pilot project will take place. The aim is to protect from further erosion but also replenish the damaged soils for agricultural benefit.

 To do this the Department of Agriculture attended a meeting last year, where Mucuna beans were recommended in combating soil erosion. Mucuna beans are used to replenish depleted soils through enhancing the nitrogen content in the soil.

 We have carried out soil tests here to determine the suitability of the plant and established the benefits of the mucuna beans to the area.

As part of all our conservation programmes, the community commitment is paramount to the success of the project. Utungake yesterday along with VEPA volunteers cleaned up the coastal side and land side for the project to go ahead. Over 30 residents of the village joined in the clean up and a trash management proposal is being worked on through other VEPA members that will benefit and continue the commitment of the community.


Further updates on this project will be soon as we hope to implement the next stage in the coming week.