On the Ground Report
Christmas treats for Rotuma
By Monifa Fiu, Marine Science Officer, WWF South Pacific
With each Christmas, the island of Rotuma prepares for its ‘fara’ season - a time marked by singing, dancing, feasting and fishing. It is a festivity synonymous to that of “Caroling” in Western society and for those who cannot make it to Rotuma, the stories brought back from the island make for great conversations shared over a meal. The past fara was of no exception and Alfred Ralifo of LäjeRotuma Initiative (LRI ) speaks of island exploration off of Rotuma’s main coast, fishing adventures, and the return of the clams, octopus and the strombus to the reefs. This was quite evident in the fish basket and the ensuing Christmas spread.
While Rotuma’s marine environment is rich, data from surveys conducted by LRI, indicate that over the past 10 years, invertebrates caught for consumption have been few in number and small in size. The return of these invertebrates is an interesting and an exciting tale as the island community does not have a marine protected area and currently the main threat is the noticeable increase in heat. Such stories of abundance have thus served to encourage the LRI to continue its programmes of community interaction in the pursuit to understand and protect what abundant resources there are on Rotuma.
For further information, please contact Ms. Monifa Fiu, WWF Fiji Marine Science Officer / LRI Coordinator