VEPA’s 2024 Achievements in Biodiversity and Conservation

2024 flew by with a series of excitement and challenges like the ebb and flow of tides providing the pathway of knowing that there is still a lot of work to be done.

2025 being a critical year for Tonga will see focus to increase and strengthen advocacy and outreach on a range of environmental issues and management strategies alongside field activities and conservation programs.

We are all very grateful to those that support our efforts nationally and overseas, so thank you for helping us make this happen.

Biodiversity and Conservation

Healthy ocean and coastal area programs centered around community support through gleaning and field studies with women from 5 communities in Vava’u, this work is helping to understand the impacts of climate change to the gleaning activities. The implementation of Tonga’s Ocean Management Plan (MSP) is waiting on the progress of legislation by the Ocean7 Secretariat (Department of Environment), which is hoped to be resubmitted in early 2025.

Resilient ecosystems and endangered, endemic and migratory species work continued through the invasive species management at Mount Talau and expanding work to support the national efforts at Tofua in Ha’apai.

Marine turtle conservation remains a focus under the By-catch and Integrated Ecosystem Management (BIEM) with continued genetic sampling and community feedback on the turtle use surveys conducted in 2021.

Community, ambassadors and VEPA planted over 400 plants within the coastal habitats in Vava’u, these species are chosen based on their environmental and ecological benefits to strengthen biodiversity and by reducing run off and improving water quality.

Knowledge and awareness

School awareness remains a key commitment for VEPA with an increase in schools participation for 2024. This allowed for over 4,000 student to join between primary schools, middle schools and high schools (7). Topics include ocean and reefs, mangroves and shorelines, waste management, invasive species and climate change.

Ambassadors are working hard both in their own communities and towards VEPAs broader goals by helping us on all fields and awareness programs and we will be continuing to expand this program in 2025. Twenty one clean ups were conducted by volunteers, VEPA team and overseas guests on the coastal areas around Neiafu.

Talatalanoa (discussion) platforms are a key sharing tool for community, government and teachers to develop resources, knowledge platforms and project ideas. Technical workshops for coral species and genus identification was provided by Dr Douglas Fenner to participants in Nuku’alofa and Vava’u.

Resource Development

Understanding and expanding VEPA’s sustainability as an organisation is ongoing with focus on strengthening core funding to key activities and staffing alongside identifying innovative opportunities to broaden the scope of the reach and support to community.

Partnerships, policies and development goals

Program partnerships continued to strengthen and grow in 2024 with the addition of Blue Nature Alliance to support the Ocean7 Secretariat and work program to legislate and implement Tonga’s Ocean Management Plan. This works is supported by Waitt Institute and previously by IUCN Oceania office since 2015.

The invasive species battler programs and partnerships under Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Services remains strong with new potential programs for 2025 expanding to other island groups as well as marine habitats.

Peace Corps in Tonga have implemented community environmental volunteers this year. VEPA is working to support the volunteers but also to streamline efforts for the best outcomes for programs and communities.

Citizen science engagement including working alongside and supporting the Citizens of the Sea program that engages yachts to collect eDNA sampling.

VEPA remains committed to supporting the Government of Tonga to national goals through program implementation, policy development and progress towards international commitments and development goals. All our research programs are conducted in partnership with and under permits granted by the Government or Tonga.