6. Conclusions

sikeli Tuitogalevu 30 years

VUNAVUTU

PARTICIPANT PROFILE

The whole of Koroua Island was valued by Sikeli who said that it is important to the wellbeing and prosperity of the community. Koroua island is strongly tied to the history of the people of Vunavutu as their ancestors lived in settlements on the island. The continuation of traditional practices connects the community to their ancestors and each other with Sikeli explaining that Koroua Island is where everyone comes together and works together maintaining relationships that strengthen and bind the community. Sikeli has a farm on the island where he grows cassava, vudi, bele, and other assorted fruits and vegetables. He also catches crabs in the mangroves and fish in the river that primarily feed his family with excess sold within the village. Sikeli was concerned about the influences of modernisation changing the way people use and value the environment as he believed that fewer people are taking up farming and other traditional practices. Educating people, particularly young people, was integral to addressing this issue. Sikeli was also concerned about mining activity in the region and expressed uncertainty regarding what materials were being taken from the island and how the mine will affect the island in the future. He explained that while there had been public meetings between community members and mining representatives, there had been very little information shared regarding the purpose of the mine. He was also angry about people going onto the island without permission and excavating and dumping soil taken from the river on mangroves, damaging them as a result. The importance of the mangroves on and around Koroua Island was stressed with Sikeli explaining that most of the community sources crabs and shellfish from them. While he does believe that dredging the river reduced the occurrence of floods, it has led to additional issues including erosion and the disappearance of certain fish species.

Figure 23 Tilled field on Koroua Island ready for planting.

6.0 Conclusions

This research documents iTaukei social values (uses and values) of Koroua Island and threats to these values. Many of our findings are consistent with those of the 2017 Sigatoka Estuary study. The data show that the island and surrounding area is important to the lives and livelihoods of many iTaukei from the study villages for both tangible and intangible reasons.

The wellbeing and prosperity of local communities is strongly connected to the health of Koroua Island. Most participants derive their main sources of sustenance (income and subsistence) from agriculture, fishing and shellfish collection on or around the island. Food gathered from the environment is primarily used for consumption with excess either traded or sold within the village, at roadside stalls or at market. It is evident that Koroua Island is vital to ensuring the food and livelihood security of iTaukei living in the region as well as their extended families living elsewhere.

Koroua Island is strongly tied to the heritage, identity and future aspirations of iTaukei in Vunavutu, Nasama and Sigatoka Village. Many of the values assigned to Koroua Island are intangible, such as spiritual or recreational values, and contribute to the identity and wellbeing of both the community and the individual. These connections between people and the island have built up over generations and are strongly associated with traditional practices such as farming and fishing as well as communal and recreational activities.

Koroua Island and the surrounding environment are exposed to a number of stressors, which have negative implications for iTaukei lives and livelihoods. These threats include current and potential future sources of threat, both episodic activities like mining and dredging, and chronic sources like point sources of pollution. Of the threats discussed, mining was the most frequently mentioned by participants. Damage to farmland and mangroves has already occurred as a result of mining activities on and around Koroua Island. The destruction of cultural heritage as a result of this process is devastating to iTaukei connected to the island, representing an immeasurable loss. Should these activities continue, Koroua Island’s ability to provide food and livelihood security will diminish with many participants concerned about future impacts to the environment and community. Participants felt that they had not been adequately included in the decision-making process concerning the mine and related dredging activity. It is evident that greater levels of genuine community participation in Environmental Impact Assessment and decision-making processes concerning landuse is wanted and needed to address identified threats and community concerns.

This research shows that iTaukei livelihoods and wellbeing are intimately connected with the health of Koroua Island. iTaukei values are currently threatened by a number of stressors, most which can be addressed through improved consultation and management practices. Our research findings are intended to inform evidence-based decision making in a manner that supports the livelihoods of iTaukei and protects the environment on which they depend.

CONTACT

halena scanlon halenajscanlon@gmail.com

Dr. Tristan Pearce Tristan.Pearce@unbc.ca