No form of approvals at any stage of the project has been given by the Department of Environment for the proposed World Wave Project in Qamea, Taveuni, and proper consultations and independent assessments will be carried out by the Department before any decision is made.
This has been confirmed by the Permanent Secretary for Environment Joshua Wycliffe to fijivillage.
He says they are waiting for them to submit their Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
Wycliffe adds they are not sure when the World Wave Project team would submit their report.
The proposed World Wave Project designs new seabed profiles to create new surf breaks.
On the project in Qamea, the World Wave Project says re-shaping is proposed in the shallow areas of the reef and following the outcomes of the independent ecological investigations, the sites selected have very little marine life.
They say the project first identified eleven potential sites based on location and exposure to waves.
The World Wave Project further says that following more detailed investigations these were narrowed to five potential sites. They say the aim is to disturb as little marine life as possible.
World Wave Project adds a key component of the investigations has focused on identifying suitable sites that are of relatively low ecological value and the overarching vision is to undertake all activities sustainably.
The Environmental Impact Assessment is currently being completed by independent consultants.
