Mining operations in Bua have caused significant harm to local coastal ecosystems, according to Margaret Vakalalabure, manager of the Coral Reef Rescue Initiative with the World Wildlife Fund Fiji.
Vakalalabure highlighted that several communities in the Bua region are facing severe soil degradation as a consequence of bauxite mining activities. “They have experienced the most severe impacts from the mining extraction, particularly on their coastal ecosystems,” she stated during a workshop organized by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
She noted that much of the soil runoff has adversely affected traditional fishing grounds, significantly impacting local livelihoods by harming species such as mud crabs and fish. “It represents a loss of culture, as these areas are their ancestral fishing grounds,” she added.
The destruction of mangroves and trees, which serve as natural barriers against tidal surges, has been identified as a key issue. “Many mangroves have been cleared to accommodate roads, factory constructions, businesses, and housing,” she explained.
Vakalalabure emphasized that this issue extends beyond Bua, affecting other communities as well. “Some communities are facing tidal wave impacts due to the removal of mangrove forests for development projects,” she claimed, noting that Fiji has lost 30 million hectares of mangrove forests since the 1970s.