Waste from Labasa Town is now being found along the shores of Mali, as reported by island representative Tema Bui. In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable rise in litter, including plastics, metals, and other rubbish washing up on the island.
“Our shore was once known for its cleanliness,” Bui stated, expressing concern over the transformation of the area into a dumping site for improperly discarded waste from Labasa Town. During a Wildlife Conservation Society workshop, she highlighted that nearby settlements have been using mangrove swamps as informal waste disposal areas.
“This practice exacerbates the pollution issue, with discarded materials obstructing mangrove roots and endangering local wildlife,” she added.
Joeli Veitayaki, strategic advisor for Blue Prosperity Fiji, explained that waves can transport debris far from its origin. “People upstream may initially seem unaffected by the waste, but it inevitably flows downstream,” he said. “Trash can accumulate at the river mouth, where tides carry it out to sea. However, winds and currents often bring it back ashore, which is how it ends up on this island.”
Veitayaki emphasized that public littering is both unnecessary and unacceptable.