MOTURIKI, Fiji (20 Dec 2004) -- VILLAGERS in Moturiki island in the Lomaiviti group have have been given the task of conserving and policing the marine environment around their island. After their consistent hard work and loyalty to the program, they have received what many could only dream of in the island and that is to be fish wardens (ovisa ni qoliqoli). The task may not ring any bells with many urban dwellers but for our brothers in the island, it is as important as wearing a police uniform in the city. A few months ago a chosen few from Moturiki took up the task to train as wardens and their efforts were rewarded this week when they were awarded certified licenses to start acting as wardens. How much did this title mean to the 16 young men who took up this challenge? "To be able to protect our fishing grounds and ensure that marine life is sustained for the future generations of this island is indeed an important task for all of us," Taione Delai, who is also the headman of the village of Daku, said. The men hail from five of the ten villages in Moturiki namely Niubasaga, Uluibau, Savuna, Yanuca and Daku. "What our task requires of us is to protect the reef and all the marine resources and ensure that they last for our future generation," Mr Delai said. "We would uphold all the laws of fishing in the area of Moturiki and ensure that no one violates these laws and would apprehend anyone who may pose as a threat to our marine resources." His fellow fish warden Sakeasi Kanavanua nods in agreement and adds that his people now looked up to them with respect as the future of their food source in the future lay in their hands. But the beginning was not all-smooth sailing for these young men. "When the program first began to protect our marine life in imposing the ban, many of the villagers went against the move brought forward by the PCDF (Partners in Community Development of Fiji) and us as well because we were fish wardens," said Sakeasi. "This was because most of them were worried where their next meal would come from but we stuck together during this hard time and continued our commitment to our preparation to become fish wardens." Three months ago the men travelled to Malolo Island in the West for the final stage of the training program to earn their licences. "Here we learnt the role of a fish warden and how to treat those who break the laws of fishing," Taione said. | | Attention all Moturiki poachers: There's a marine cop waiting to bust you. "We also learnt the basics of the proper way of fishing without harming the marine environment and learnt all the ways some forms of fishing were harmful." Fisheries Officer for Lomaiviti Kulio Naivalu accompanied by PCDF officers Wana Sivoi and Etika Sing presented the men with their licenses. One challenge these men would face would be apprehending their own relatives in the name of the law. I questioned them on this issue and many seemed to take longer in answering this question compared to other questions. "We should anticipate this situation as we are positive it would come up sooner or later," fish warden Eroni Vetau said. "If this situation arises we must uphold the law and be steadfast in our positions as fish wardens and not let our emotions get in the way of out duties and responsibilities." The other wardens nodded in agreement and one said the villagers now understand the role, which the wardens play on the island. "Everyone on the island now understands our role as wardens and should adhere to the laws of fishing and the use of the sea," said Sitiveni Namua. "If people still break the rules despite the warnings then we will take action in reporting them to the relevant authorities." The 16 men are raring to take up their responsibilities and have already started patrolling waters surrounding the island in their bid to sustain marine resources for the future generation of Moturiki. With the islands population watching their every step to ensure that their tasks are fulfilled, these men have a great task ahead to ensure the sustaining of this island's marine resources and also to lead by example themselves. "We understand how important this task is and at this moment in time we can only pledge our commitment to the task ahead to ensure that the fishing laws of the government are upheld," said Eroni. "As Mr Naivalu always tells us: 'You can uphold the law yet you are also one of those who could break it, it is simply a matter of choice and principles'". SOURCE - Fiji Times |
