Trash boom proposed as answer to Labasa River waste

The Labasa Town Council is requesting that a trash boom be installed in the Labasa River.

Council special administrator chairperson Paul Jaduram said despite numerous awareness campaigns, people were still throwing rubbish into the river without any care for marine species and the environment.

Trash booms are floating barriers placed on water surfaces to intercept and collect floating debris such as plastic waste, trash and natural debris, preventing it from spreading downriver into lakes, harbours and oceans.

Seeing the success of trash booms installed in some parts of Viti Levu, Mr Jaduram said the tool would do wonders for the Labasa River.

“We want our river waterways to be safe and secure for the marine environment,” Mr Jaduram said.

Mr Jaduram said despite the installation of multiple rubbish bins in and around the town, people were still littering, and even hefty fines were not a deterrent.

He believes trash booms are a modern solution needed in the Northern Division.

Mali Island spokesperson Henry Koliniwai said with the Central Division possessing trash booms, the North needed the same access.

Mr Koliniwai said the Ministry of Waterways should explore Vanua Levu as a site for litter management.

“The scene of scattered rubbish around our shore is not healthy for our marine environment,” he said.

Educated individuals need to take the first step by ensuring no household waste is dumped into the river, he added.

“We have to protect our marine environment from pollution.”

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