Donato Kivi sm, Superior of Marist College Suva, writes: As part of our development at the Marist Eco-Center Dawasamu - some 70 km north of Suva - some of our community members took time out during their semester break to build two water dams for our aquaculture project. This is an initiative on climate change adaptation, where the aquaculture on land in ponds is an option for the impact of climate on coral reefs (rise in seawater temperatures) that has disturbed marine life.
Fr Donato Kivi sm - has a Doctorate in Marian Ecology
Fish are becoming scarce living inshore where locals use to fish. At the Centre which is situated along the coast, we want to model aquaculture as another way of helping coastal people who rely on fishing for their livelihood.
As part of the objectives of the Ministry of fisheries in Fiji, the project we will help in food security, improve livelihoods and rural development through the involvement of women and youth group into aquaculture activities.
Earthenware Dam for Aquaculture - frontal view
We have used earth-bag architecture to build these two dams, a technology that will also be used for building houses at the centre. Earth-bag is eco-friendly and has been proven to be low cost and sustainable.
Water reserved for fish farming.