Chief Comes to Condone Tabu Areas

On the morning of January 31^st, a special village meeting was called in which our chief, who lives in the next village over, came to give his official consent for our Tabu Fishing Areas. The meeting began with a traditional presentation of yaqona and welcoming, and then we got down to business.

Our chief spoke about how we are all part of the vanua – people, land, sea, animals – and how we must care for the things of which we are a part. He also said something along a more traditional line, about how we must also fear the vanua: “If you make the vanua cry and you don’t listen, you better watch out.” 

He thanked us for the actions we have taken and for calling him here. He said it is up to us, not the government or NGOs, to take care of that on which we depend. He said that he knew before he came that he would say yes and support our initiative. 

He gave a chance for the Yaubula (Environment) Committee to speak. One of our committee presented our basic mission: to sustainably manage that upon which we depend for food/income/supplies and to also seek alternative income generating activities compatible with this mission. And also the general management rules for the three marine managed areas and two water source protection areas. (See this post for details: Proposed Protected Areas Passed by Village Elders )

The chief then opened the session up for questions. It was a really good thing because it gave the chance for anyone to clarify things they were uncertain about. We clarified:  fishing from the shoreline into the protected area (not allowed), the exact boundaries (one buoy will be adjusted), and also about harvesting to sell within the ikanakana (nearshore reefflat – not allowed). The nearshore reefflat is only for harvesting food. If you have a fishing license to sell fish or invertebrates, you need to go off the reefflat to the offshore reefs. 

Our chief likes to run a tight ship and he’s very experienced leading meetings, so all in all it took less than an hour. He ended by saying we need to plan to invite all stakeholders from the government and NGOs to an official launch in which the Tabu Areas will be blessed by the church. The date chosen is Tuesday, February 25^th!

It may have taken a year for this meeting to happen, but in true Fijian fashion it was better to wait than to rush things. With the chief’s official approval witnessed by the village and the upcoming “launch” to be witnessed by local stakeholders, we’re on the right track for our Yaubula Management Plan to be respected and hopefully effective! (Dare I say funded? !)

Our chief and the elders listening to the presentation from the Yaubula Committee

Solo serving kava to our chief during his speech