LocationsFrom the Ocean to Opportunity, Voices from Vanua Balavu
February 8, 2026
The iconic Bay of Islands or Qilaqila in Vanua Balavu, reflecting the ocean pathways that shape daily life and opportunities for communities in the Lau Group.
For many young people on the island of Vanua Balavu, located in Fiji’s Lau Group, engagement with the ocean is not a choice, it is a way of life.
Youth representative for the Lomaloma district of Vanua Balavu, Senico Biudole, grew up relying on boats for fishing, transport, emergencies and connecting with family across Lau’s vast turquoise waters. Yet for years, many young seafarers like Senico carried knowledge and experience without any formal certification.
“Before, many of us were skilled but unlicensed,” he shared during a talanoa session in Lomaloma during a recent Government-led mission to Lau.
“Now we are recognised, trained and better prepared to look after our people on the water. A majority of those who graduated were youth, and since the training last year, we are already seeing the benefits in our communities.””
Senico is among 149 community members who have completed Boat Master and Restricted Master Engineer Class 6 Certification, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office, with funding from the United Kingdom.
This training is far more than just a certification, it is strengthening maritime safety, building livelihoods and creating new opportunities for youth across Fiji’s maritime provinces. Strengthening maritime safety and mobility is also helping lay the groundwork for sustainable tourism, where safe and reliable transport is essential for connecting visitors with communities across maritime communities, such as those in Lau.
But the impact of the training extends beyond those who graduated.
When the training was delivered in Lomaloma, members of the Lomaloma Women’s Association stepped forward to support the programme. For Vice President, Sulueti Kesaia, and Secretary, Emele Boletawa, providing catering services for trainees became an opportunity to contribute directly to their community’s development.
Youth representative Senico Biudole speaks during a talanoa session in Vanua Balavu, thanking UNDP and partners for supporting maritime training that is strengthening safety and opportunity across Lau.
Emele Boletawa (left) and Sulueti Kesaia (middle) with UNDP Pacific Communications Analyst Risiate Biudole in Lomaloma, Vanua Balavu.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Viliame Gavoka, UN Resident Coordinator Dirk Wagener, IOM Chief Solomon Kanta and UNDP Pacific Resident Representative Munkhtuya Altangerel tour Qilaqila or the Bay of Islands in Vanua Balavu aboard a fibreglass boat, experiencing the ocean routes that connect communities across Lau.
The two women described the experience as more than income generation. It allowed them to support youth and adult learners, strengthen community collaboration, and demonstrate the critical role women play in delivering development initiatives.
“We thank UNDP for recognising women as partners in this programme. Supporting the training made us proud because we were helping our youth and community build skills. Through the experience, we also learned more about boat safety and the importance of protecting our ocean. It showed us that women have an important role to play in looking after our people and our environment," says Emele.
Their involvement reinforced an important lesson emerging from Vanua Balavu when women are engaged not only in consultation, but in implementation, development becomes more inclusive, resilient and community-driven.
The Boat Master training in Vanua Balavu was delivered through the Solesolevaki ni Veitaqomaki community safety model, bringing together maritime safety, community policing and awareness-raising. The initiative was implemented in partnership with the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, Fiji Police Force, Republic of Fiji Navy and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service.
These stories were shared during a recent Government-led mission, which travelled across the Lau Group to listen to communities and explore pathways for development that are locally led, inclusive and sustainable.
The mission, led by Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka, brought together UN agencies, the World Bank, government counterparts and the private sector to engage directly with communities across Moala, Fulaga, Lakeba, Cicia and Vanua Balavu.
In Lau, development moves at the pace of community, shaped by the wisdom of the vanua and the strength of its people. As new skills are learned and new opportunities emerge, the people of Lau continue to build their future in ways that honour their heritage, protect their environment and uplift generations to come.
Stories like Senico’s and the women of Lomaloma remind us that true development begins with people, through conversations, one step at a time.
Related
content
content
