15 Jun 2007 Suva, Fiji
- 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 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 orchestrated by WWF Fiji and
re-known artists Craig Marlow and Alfred
Ralifo as a finale to the World Ocean Day
events. Fine dining, 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.
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.”
Six 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.”
He said, “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 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.
Akisi Bolabola and Penina Solomona
