3,852 People have Signed a Petition to Save Savuavu Bay From Deforestation and Dredging

February 21, 2018 - Change.org

First, as a town, Savusavu depends on ecotourists for its economic survival. Savusavu is advertised as the hidden paradise and the heart Fiji, brimming with amazing natural beauty and wildlife. The untouched splendor of the ocean draws divers and snorkelers from around the world to Savusavu shores. Without this distinction, Savusavu would not be a unique and sought after destination in Fiji. 

From the damage that has already been done, we are witnessing fuel spills and dead marine life.  Local businesses and residents depend on ecotourism to stay afloat. One of the most unique features of the Savusavu diving industry, that draws people globally, is the presence of its residential school of scalloped hammerheads which depend on mangroves as potential nursery grounds. Cisneros-Montemayor et al. (2013) found that, at the time of publication, the ecotourism industry based on shark watching, with 590,000 yearly participants, was conservatively earning USD 314 million per year and supporting approximately 10,000 jobs. They also estimated that by the year 2033, the number of ecotourists interested in shark watching would more than double, increasing the shark tourism market to USD 780 million per year. Ecotourism is one of the world's fastest growing industries, throwing Savusavu's standing and future potential as a leading ecotourism destination is fiscally irresponsible and threatens the livelihoods of local people.