The Mamanuca Environment Society (MES) is a non-profit organisation founded by local businesses and communities and led by a team of mostly female marine biologists. Their mission is to ‘promote the awareness of the need to protect the marine and terrestrial resources of the Mamanuca region and to assist, through partnerships in the environmentally sustainable development of these resources for the benefit of present and future generations.’
There are numerous threats to the coral reef and its surroundings such as chemical pollution, destructive or overfishing, litter and mangrove cutting for development pressures. Mangroves cover 38,000 hectares of Fiji and provide an abundance of benefits to the Pacific region such as nurseries for fish, protection from storms and resources that are essential to food security for the Fijian people and communities.
As members of the MES, we are committed to supporting their mission and proactively educating the global music community on the challenges faced within the region. Along with our annual membership contribution and fundraising events it is a requirement for all our staff and volunteers to ‘get their hands dirty’ by planting trees and mangroves every year. Marica Vakacola from MES explains, "The concept of planting mangroves and native plants was to address carbon sequestration using nature based solution to offset carbon foot prints of travellers to the event."
This initiative is also open to any guests at the event and we encourage them to take part!
We are also a no single-use plastic event. All bars and add-ons will not serve plastic straws or single-use plastic cups, all drinks are served in reusable biodegradable cups.
We pledge to continue to expand our environmental programs and fundraising initiatives to not only assist the local community, but to leave a lasting impression on all guests, with the goal of creating life-long ambassadors across the globe.
"More restoration work is planned in the Mamanucas in the next couple of years with the great support from traditional land owners, government stakeholders, institutions, tourist operators and cooperate sponsors such as Your Paradise."
Learn more about the Mamanuca Environment Society workshops and projects here.
