THE Roko Tui Lau Ratu Maikeli Waqatabu said the Lau Seascape Strategy wasn’t prepared overnight but a lot of work has been put into it.
“Lau seascape Strategy is mainly on the conservation of the ‘Yaubula’ or everything that comes under the environment of Lau. From the sea, to the land and the people. Work on the strategy began way back in 2013. Conservation International is one of the leading NGO’s in this with the chiefs of Lau who have laid the foundation of this strategy”.
The purpose of this strategy is to protect the natural resources of Lau.
“For Lau to protect whatever natural resources God has given to them. From the waters, the reef to the ridge. Lau is very fragile. Land is scarce. It’s not all fertile land. They mostly rely on the sea. The main challenge here is the increasing trend of tourism activity. We want to implement the strategy because we need to have some control. Especially the resource owners”.
Mr Waqatabu said after the implementation of this strategy, owners of the resources will benefit as well.
“Yachters usually come weekly to Lomaloma, to Qilaqila, to Fulaqa, Oneata. So within this strategy we have tried to put a platform across so that resource owners can get some return”.
