MINISTER for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau believes the tourism industry’s has to play a leading role in the conservation of a marine ecosystem.
This after the minister visited Mana Island Resort and Spa earlier this week to survey the resort’s conservation efforts for the decreasing turtle population in the Mamanuca Group.
“We have to understand that it’s very important for the tourism industry to be actively involved in conservation activities,” he said.
“We are trying to work closely with the tourism industry in conservation to ensure that our marine life is protected.
“For the industry, it is important that conservation is carried out because it is one of the features that tourists come to see when they visit Fiji.
“When they visit us they come and look at our nice clear waters but they also love to see an active sea life which is why they need to set up programs that encourage their own people to protect their surroundings not only for the industry but for our future generations.”
The resort this week hosted a number of marine conservation activities including a coral rehabilitation program.
Mana Island Resort and Spa chief operations officer Hiroshi Matsumoto said awareness workshops were also held among staff members who were encouraged to be more involved in protecting the environment.
“The first people we worked with were our own staff,” he said.
“We wanted to create a culture of protecting the very environment we needed for our resort. “After creating awareness among them then they were able to work with our guests to help with our conservation work”
