Environment
Our commitment
As a tourism operator in Muri Lagoon and one with a reliance on our natural environment, we recognise that we have a responsibility to the marine environment that we operate in. Our company aims to operate with minimal impact on the environment, and to give back and ensure benefits flow both ways in our usage of the lagoon. We aim to have a positive impact on the local environment and community.
The Rarotonga Lagoon Conservation Trust
Koka Lagoon Cruises contributes a percentage of its sales to the Rarotonga Lagoon Conservation Trust which has been established to assist towards the protection and preservation of Rarotonga痴 lagoon ecosystem. In an exciting project, the trust has embarked on a long term reef restoration project within the Tikioki reserve area. In close consultation and with assistance from the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR), we are looking after and developing coral nurseries in the area. We have a memorandum of understanding with MMR in regards to the giant clams which have been imported from Aitutaki, and are breeding in the reserve area. Koka is also active in its support for the annual Lagoon Days, and supporting school educational tours.
Ra置i
Ra置i is the traditional environment protection system that involves traditional leaders banning the harvest of marine resources in designated areas. Traditionally it was imposed by the chief of the tribe banning the harvesting of food resources of a set period of time to enable stocks to increase.
The main purpose of the ra置i is to help protect the marine environment and to contribute towards an increase in marine life for present and future generations (Passfield and Tiraa 1998). There are 12 ra置i areas in Rarotonga including in Tikioki, where Koka Lagoon Cruises has set up its marine site. Some ra置i are short-term and allow harvesting on a rotational basis, others are long term. Parts of Tikioki ra置i are now permanently reserved.
We donate a percentage of all sales to Marine Conservation !
