iQoliqoli Management

At the beginning of the year I had the opportunity to work with a Conservation Society in Fiji. The organization is working with communities on Vanua Levu (second largest Fiji Island) to educate and collaborate on ways to preserve near shore reef systems. As it is, Fiji is extremely fortunate to have mostly healthy coral reef systems unlike many other places in the World. Thus, the work was based on preservation rather than nursing the ecosystem back to health. Below is a short clip of Ratu Ravulolo, the highest chief of the Kubulau District speaking of the neccessity for protecting their iqoliqoli (n-gollie-gollie). This is a defined fishing ground that is governed and cared for by the people of the District. The fishing ground is a source of income mainly through Eco-Tourism. The Kubulau People declared a marine protected area within their iqoliqoli which means no fishing and has thus has fostered an abundance of marine life making it a hot spot for dive tourism. As it stands today, anyone wanting to dive in the Marine Protected Area must first pay a small fee before the diving. The money then goes to scholarships to send children from the district to school and even University.

PLAY Video "Ratu Ravulolo" (.mp4/5.2Mb)