MATAMANOA Island Resort has been working closely with the Mamanuca Environment Society (MES) to improve its marine ecosystem.
Joining a growing number of island resorts whose underlying theme is to provide a protected sanctuary for its marine life for the benefit of the local community and its guests.
Resort manager Patrick Wong said its partnership with MES helped them in creating a unique environmental philosophy with the future of the resource owners in mind.
Mr Wong, a former chairman of Tourism Fiji agreed that the environment and ecosystem on and around Matamanoa Island was important for long-term benefits for the resort and local community.
"MES also carries out half year water analysis of water samples from the surrounding waters of the resort. The analytical result proved to be very usefully in keeping up monitoring our environmental friendly practices."
Mr Wong indicated that Matamanoa Island Resort was committed to reducing its impact on the environment and marine ecosystem.
He said they were committed to comply with all applicable environment regulations and to prevent pollution whenever possible through training on their environment program to empower the staff to link their environment commitment to the visitors.
Mr Wong also revealed that fringing reefs around the resorts had regenerated with increasing reef fish stocks and other marine life despite the on-going threat of heavy swells from the North and the South Easterly wind.
"Cots, Crown of Thorns Starfish are an on-going threat and we have programs in place for their eradication. Our Marine Sanctuary will be boosted with 40 juvenile giant clams as part of our 'Giant Clam Project' from Makogai Island in partnership of the Department of Fisheries and MES," added Mr Wong.