It Is Time For A ‘Beach Authority Act’

The remarks by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka regarding the shocking state of Cuvu Beach should be a wake-up call for every Fijian .

He did not mince his words in saying; “There is no sense of responsibility or civic pride when people use Cuvu Beach.”

This resonates deeply in a landscape where the beauty of our natural surroundings is often over-shadowed by carelessness and neglect.

It’s a grim reality that, while climate change is often blamed as the root cause of environmental damage, we continue to overlook our own role as guardians of the world we live in.

Mr Gavoka, who grew up along pristine beaches of the Coral Coast in Nadroga, is now advocating for accountability and respect for our marine environment.

His efforts to clean up Cuvu Beach, alongside children and the people of Cuvu, raises an issue many have ignored for too long.

With Mr Gavoka, they are proposing Fiji’s ‘Beach Authority Act.’

It should be considered because this is a visionary step towards establishing a legal framework for the governance of our public beaches.

Amidst countless community-led clean-up campaigns, the problem of rubbish disposal and environ-mental abuse continues.

Leaders need to implement more rigorous approaches to have clean beaches.

Beaches are part of our everyday lives.

They are important to our well-being and cultural identity.

iTaukei safeguard their marine environment and ecosystem as sacred as it is passed down through generations. They guard them with pride and their life. When their beaches are littered with rubbish they raise their voice because rubbish pollutes their food source.

The Beach Authority Act should be seen, not just as an initiative, but as a way of improving the lives of Fijians.

Clean beaches produce healthy marine ecosystem, which serves as an important food resource for people and wildlife.

Birds, turtles, and countless aquatic species rely on clean, unpolluted shores for survival. The marine food chain, of which we are all a part, is spoilt by our negligence.

The call to action is clear: Fijians must embrace responsible waste disposal practices. Simple acts, like properly discarding rubbish, especially plastics, can reduce the effects of pollution and climate change.

Tourism is the backbone of Fiji’s economy. Visitors seek tranquility and beauty, and they are drawn to our beaches as sanctuaries of relaxation.

Keeping our beaches and coastlines clean are important to maintaining Fiji Tourism a thriving industry. Only by keeping our beaches and coastlines pristine, we will continue to welcome tourists into our shores.

Fijians, let us unite for the establishment of a Beach Authority Act and embrace our responsibility to protect our shores.

Together, we can ensure that our beaches remain the radiant jewels of our islands—clean, vibrant, and harmonious with nature.

Feedback: maikeli.vesikula@fijisun.com.fj