Under the Vava’u Ocean Initiative in partnership with the Waitt Institute and Ministry of Fisheries, we are excited and delighted for the upcoming launch of the Special Management Area (SMA) Environmental Ambassador Program (S.E.A). Special Management Areas (SMAs) are a…
Vava'u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA)
Conservation – Education – Community – Future
Welcome: Malo e lelei
Our Mission Vava’u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) is a registered non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of Vava’u’s natural beauty through educational awareness, sustainable development and collaboration. Taumu’a Ngaue Ko e Malu’i pe Tauhi ko ia ‘o e ‘Atakai…
Current Projects
VEPA designs and co-ordinates its projects to ensure ownership by the communities of their environment and ecosystems. We engage all social groups within communities in Vava’u through media and education, hands on projects, as well as collaboration with National Government…
Support Our Programs
All of the projects we run at VEPA are designed with community involvement from the start through to the completion and ongoing monitoring. Donations to VEPA are spent directly and wholly on conservation and awareness based programs.
Latest News
Thorn in our Side….
Well actually the thorns mostly hit our fingers and for many of us the memories of the week stay in the tingling tips of our fingers. What were we up to? Removing those nasty, spine heavy starfish called Crown of…
Part 1: Overview – Near-shore, Vava’u
Up until the 1990’s, ocean areas within Tonga were declared as open access for all Tongans, in the hopes of allowing everyone equal and fair sharing of its resources. Over the years this caused a serious downfall in the status…
News from the field:
Here it is the launch of our new series “News from the field” which highlights our findings from surveys and projects. More detailed information will be posted to our latest news. Let’s make 2019 one of shared experiences and knowledge….
Reducing the Plastic Footprint in Vava’u Communities
INTRODUCTION The Vava’u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) is a NGO based in Neiafu, Vava’u dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity, increasing community knowledge of environmental issues and securing sustainable livelihoods for future generations. VEPA operates a range of terrestrial and…
Beyond the Reef: Ngaahi ‘elia ‘o e ‘Oseni
Ngaahi ‘elia ‘o e ‘Oseni ‘I he’etau hiki atu mei he ngaahi matafanga pea mo e ngaahi nofo’anga hakau feo ‘I he tahi mamaha, tongo pea mo e ngaahi ‘elia matatahi, ‘oku liliu ‘e ‘oseni hono fotunga ha mai (maama(…
