On Friday March 11 (local time in Fiji), 2005, HRH Prince Charles
made an historic visit to Castaway Island in the Mamanucas as part
of a two day visit to Fiji.
Prior to his arrival on island,
the Prince was treated to a
three hour glass bottom boat viewing of the marine life and
reefs surrounding Castaway Island organized
by Coral Cay Conservation.
Coral Cay Conservation
(CCC) is a London-based environmental
group who have been headquartered
on Castaway Island for the past four years, to survey
the reefs
and marine life in the Mamanuca
island group. The ultimate
goal is to present a recommendation to the Fiji Government
to establish
suitable and permanent Marine
Protected Areas in the Mamanucas
to ensure the sustainability of this fragile environment.
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From left to right: Ratu Jereima, the Tui
Lawa; the Hon. Pita Nacuva, Minister of Tourism; HRH Prince
Charles; Geoffrey Shaw, Managing Director, Castaway Island;
Mrs. Mere Nacuva; and various Fiji military, resort staff
and guests.) |
Following
the underwater viewing, Prince
Charles proceeded to
Castaway Island where he
met
with local schoolchildren
and led a discussion about
the
importance of the reef to
the local ecosystem. His
Royal
Highness’ time on island
was relaxed and informal, mixing
with resort guests and staff,
as well as sponsors of the
Mamanuca Environment Society
(MES) and conducting a brief
tour of the resort prior to
his departure in the early
afternoon.“We are of
course, honoured with the presence
of Prince Charles and the importance
of his visit to Fiji. His passion
and commitment for the environment
is something that we share
here in the Mamanucas,” said
Geoffrey Shaw, Managing Director
of Castaway. Mr. Shaw is also the
Chairman of MES, who through education
and in partnership with
CCC, has been instrumental in heightening
the awareness by both local
community and commercial
stakeholders of the need to conserve and
protect the coral reefs
and the greater marine environment.
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