Ian Chute
26 January, 2021, 8:00 pm
Marika Tuicaucau (right) and Penaia Lese sail a drua during the Beqa Island Community Training on Traditional Canoe Building and Sailing near Rukua Village on Beqa Island. Picture: SOPHIE RALULU
Ten drua gifted to villages of the two tikina of Beqa will be used to survey restricted fishing areas without any worry on fuel costs, said the Turaga na Tui Sawau Ratu Timoci Matanitobua.
Speaking at the award ceremony for the Beqa Island Community Training on Traditional Canoe Building and Sailing at Rukua Village on Beqa last Friday, Ratu Timoci said the drua would only further the existing efforts to preserve the environment of Beqa.
Ian Chute
26 January, 2021, 8:30 pm
Participants with their certificates during the Beqa Island Community Training on Traditional Canoe Building and Sailing graduation ceremony at Rukua Village on Beqa. Picture: SOPHIE RALULU
The limitations of boats powered by outboard motors will no longer be a hindrance to the gonedau or fisherfolk of Beqa Island.
Speaking at the awards ceremony of the Beqa Island Community Training on Traditional Canoe Building and Sailing, one of the five female awardees and traditional fisherwoman, Senimelia Narimo, said engine failure was always a worry.
“Sometimes, it is not easy being a fisherwoman when the seas get rough, we worry if the engine will fail,” Ms Narimo said.