FIJI, Laselase Village, Viti Levu Island - July 2003
Construction of a community center in exchange for the establishment of a 17,297-acre marine reserve
Click photo to enlarge
Laselase has a population of approximately 300 people, consisting of two matiqali (tribes). The village has agreed to establish a no-take marine reserve in part of their traditional fishing area for a period of 10 years in exchange for a much-needed community center.
UPDATE November 2003 - Seacology board member Graham Farrar attended the foundation-laying ceremony for the new community center on October 14th, 2003. The filling of the floor has been completed, and the building supervisor hopes to finish the building by December, weather permitting.
UPDATE July 2004 - The building has been completed. In June 2004, the John Gray Recyclers of Grand Cayman, a high school group that helped fund the Naikorokoro project, visited Laselase to dedicate the opening of the community hall.
