Locals contribute to protecting the marine turtles

13 June 2007

WWF Fiji held its inaugural Turtle Benefit Ball at Tattersall’s Leisure Centre in Suva, on Friday, 8th June 2007, in the presence of corporations and environmentally concerned citizens of Fiji.

More than 200 guests from different professions and repute attended the black tie event in aid of WWF Fiji’s efforts to protect the endangered seas turtles, the official theme of the evening.

With this Ball, WWF increased awareness on sea turtle conservation and successfully fund-raised a little above $10,000 to support their protection in Fiji.

The ball was perfectly orchestrated by WWF Fiji and re-known artists Craig Marlow and Alfred Ralifo as a finale to the World Ocean Day events. Fine dinning, turtle quiz with high-quality prizes (all generously donated) and live music from Ken Janson and the Hearts entertained the guests of this wonderful evening.

Mr Ronil Punja and guest arriving at the Turtle Benefit Ball to deliver the keynote address. © WWF Fiji 2007.

In delivering the keynote address, Ronil Punja, for Oceans Soap Ltd said

“Sea turtles are an indicator of healthy oceans and their currently declining numbers symbolize an ocean in trouble. We therefore urge corporations and individuals present tonight, to dive in to efforts to protect our fragile oceans and endangered turtles.”

6 of the 7 global species of sea turtles are on the IUCN Red List as either critically endangered or endangered – indicating their vulnerability to extinction. These charismatic species face many threats such as over-harvesting for their meat, eggs or shell. They are also accidentally caught in fishing gear and while some may be released alive, some are often not. Turtles are also threatened through the loss of their feeding and nesting grounds due to poorly informed coastal development and also, climate change.

Mr Punja said,

“This evening, our focus is drawn towards the plight of a cultural icon – the endangered sea turtle. I have been informed that in Fiji, a Moratorium legally protecting turtles is set to expire in 2008. For a species that takes up to 40 years to mature and reproduce, is 12 months sufficient opportunity.”

One of the honoured guests for the night, former Prime Minister of Fiji, Mr. Sitiveni Rabuka said

“I remember that getting my Cabinet to agree to ban the commercial exploitation of turtles particularly the sale of turtle meat was not easy. The message that the young team that hosted the Ball on Friday night wanted us to understand is that the turtle, take so long to grow and mature, but only a very short time to threaten with extinction.“

A national high school art and poem competition on oceans and protecting our turtles was also launched at the Ball by Dr Ken McKay, Director for Institute of Marine Resources.

The competition is open to forms three and five and will run from June 8th – September 7th, 2007. The first prize is FJD 350.00 cash, 2nd prize is FJD 300.00 stationery voucher courtesy of Laje Rotuma Initiative & Office Force Stationery and third prize FJD 100.00 book vouchers courtesy of BookMasters.

World Oceans Day celebrations in Fiji was an initiative lead by WWF Fiji Country Programme, USP’s Institute of Marine Resources, Laje Rotuma Initiative, Department of Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment to raise awareness on the need to protect our marine environment.

The Turtle Ball

Guests at the Pacific Manufacturers Ltd. table. © WWF Fiji 2007.

WWF’s inaugural ball set the stage for more of these to come. The evening gave our supporters and the people who care about saving nature, an opportunity to meet over a cocktail and excellent dinner, get to know each other, discuss, chat, listen to music, dance and learn more about the work of WWF on turtles.

In other words it’s a wonderful way to have a lot of fun and do something to help conservation at the same time.

The Ball was made possible not only thanks to our guests, but also because of the generosity of local sponsors - Ocean Soaps Ltd, Coca Cola Amatil (Fiji) Ltd, Natural Waters of Viti Ltd, M & C Saatchi, Star Printery Ltd, Pacific Manufacturers Ltd, Golf Terraces Denarau, Maravu Plantation Resort, Musket Cove Resort, Sonaisali Resort, Pure Fiji Ltd, Holiday Inn Suva, Carlton Brewery, Pacific Coatings Ltd, Peking Restaurant, Cost U Less, Tappoo Group of Companies.

This money raised from the Turtle Ball is in support of WWF Fiji’s turtle conservation work including school road show, data collection on turtles and other awareness work.

For further information contact:

Akisi Bolabola and Penina Solomona, Phone: +679 3315533

Ashwini Prabha, Telephone: 3315533, Mobile: 9268 016