Pacific Wetlands take Care of Water
World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2013
“It’s all too easy to take the availability of safe drinking water for granted and, for some, it is not until we are
without that we fully realise the vital role that water plays in our lives.
In the Pacific Islands, our wetlands take care of water.
Wetlands such as rivers, lakes, water catchments and underground aquifers play an important part in supplying water to
our communities in the Pacific. We could describe our wetlands as the natural infrastructure for managing water as they
store and provide the water for which our human consumption and production needs are met.
This World Wetlands Day on 2 February, it is time to reflect upon the importance of wetlands and their role in water management and thus, in our lives. It is time also to take stock of what we can do as individuals to strengthen the health and
resilience of Pacific Wetlands so that they can continue to provide water for us all.
In Samoa, Lake Lanoto’o, designated a “Wetland of International Importance”, is the largest permanent freshwater lake in
Samoa. It has a valuable ecological role in maintaining the health of the water supply of the capital city, Apia. The
main catchment and sub-catchments of Lake Lanoto’o are tapped to meet the increasing demand for drinking water and for
hydro electricity generation.
Unfortunately, unsustainable land use practices in and around wetlands of some high lands have led to decreased water
quality and runoff that adversely affects important coastal marine ecosystems and species that are important for both
commercial and subsistence purposes.
River catchments of the Pacific Islands region are also under increasing pressure from conversion for agriculture,
diversion or modification for water supply or hydropower generation, commercial logging, catchment alteration, pollution
and invasive species.
At the national level, there is often a lack of knowledge and relevant strategies for the management and wise use of
these wetland ecosystems. Furthermore, local communities are often unaware of the likely impacts of proposed changes to
these wetlands.
Without wetlands there would be no water. When we protect our natural wetlands we are preventing them from being
degraded or lost as they provide sufficient supply and quality of water to satisfy all of our needs.
The Pacific Islands are implementing the Regional Wetlands Action Plan for the Pacific Islands 2011-2013 which aims to protect and conserve wetlands so that they continue to provide their valuable ecosystem services for
Pacific peoples, one of which is water storage and provision.
The Upper Navua Conservation Area, a “Wetland of International Importance” for Fiji, encompasses the upper part of the
Navua River, which is the third largest freshwater drainage of Fiji. It plays a significant role in the ecological
health of the entire drainage and provides the necessary supplies and food for the communities in the area. It also
provides a wide range of ecosystem services to the entire water catchment area including flood control for lower areas.
In our communities our wetlands take care of water, so let’s:
• STOP disposing rubbish and other wastes in our rivers and streams or report those doing this to your local
Environment department.
• ORGANISE a clean-up activity for your rivers and associated streams.
• SPREAD the word to both young and old about the important role wetlands play and the need for their protection.
Remember this and take on the role of protecting our wetlands in whatever way you can as natural solutions provide a
resilient Pacific.
Happy World Wetlands Day.
ENDS