WITH the recent open season of bech-de-mer, the community in the Malaita Outer islands of Lord Howe is calling for alternative income opportunities.
Luaniua Community elder and chairman of Crime Prevention Committee, Wilson Sangahu emphasised on the hardship faced in the community during food shortages due to lack of cash flow and transportation.
“During food shortage we will depend only on coconuts and fish especially if our garden crops are not fruitful.” He said.
Lack of consistent shipping transportation in Ontong Java has always been an issue but with the latest bech-de-mer open season earlier this month, ships are bound to the atolls in numbers.
A mother in Luaniua also stated her disagreements with their government leader for ignoring their needs during the closure of bech-de-mer.
“This week we see two ships heading through the passage, because bech-de-mer is open. In the past few months no ship came on with cargoes. It’s unfair and many of us are tired of this.”
During bech-de-mer season the people collected an income from their harvest but are still faced with the challenges of sustaining their earnings as they are met with soaring price hikes of items in the community canteens.
“When the stocks run ouns out in the canteens, we’ll still face food shortages and other basic needs as the canteens wait on ships to order more cargoes.” The mother said.
Wilson highlights this concern and calls on the provincial government to assist Lord Howe in finding alternative income opportunities.
“We are calling on an investment that is for us and by us. To improve the lives of our people, we demand a sustainable alternative income opportunity during and after bech-de-mer period. He said.
He added that with foreigners especially Chinese being the main buyers and exporters of bech-de-mer, the people of Lord Howe who depend on this marine resource lose out bigtime.
The main garden crops in the atoll community of Luaniua are Fiji Taro and Kakake. Climate change has further impacted the local gardens in the low-lying atolls which makes it difficult for the community to grow other crops like potatoes and cassava.
The Community chairman also appealed to the National and provincial government and development partners to consider assisting the community through existing bodies. “We want to be included in any form of planning and co-creation of any Climate Change related investment and action.” He said.
For now, the atoll that thrives from their marine resources of Bech-de-mer is once again the centre of attention as the season opens, but the future is still uncertain regarding its cash flow sustainability and consistent transportation.
By Georgianna Margaret
