The Environmentally Safe Aggregate for Tarawa (ESAT) Project is
designed to protect the fragile beaches of South Tarawa in Kiribati from damage caused by unsustainable sand and gravel mining. By providing an alternative supply of construction aggregate from the lagoon basin, the project aims to meet South Tarawa’s rapidly growing demands while also reducing pressure on its beaches.
The project is funded by the European Union and jointly implemented the SPC's Geoscience Division and the Government of Kiribati’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource Development (MFMRD).
Large and unsustainable volumes of beach aggregate (sand, gravel and cobble – estimated at 70,000 m3/year in 2006) are removed from South Tarawa’s beaches every year. The fact that this is happening despite fears over shoreline instability and sea level rise, suggests that every possible effort to protect shoreline systems should be made.
ESAT offers a pragmatic “no-regrets” climate change adaptation response to this problem by providing an environmentally sustainable alternative which can reduce pressure on South Tarawa’s fragile beaches and bolster resilience in natural beach systems.
The single largest budget item in this project is the MV Tekimarawa-- a 40-m steel, open-water capable vessel with a shallow draft for lagoon work and a total payload of 300 tonnes.
ESAT also implements an awareness and behaviour change programme focused at community understanding and participation (Ara Bike Reirei) and also undertakes routine awareness events with schools.
The project also supports school curriculums through its efforts with the “SandWatch” programme. Comprehensive and strategic efforts to maintain community outreach and consultation are also underway, involving contracts to local NGOs who implement the ESAT Communications Strategy.
Project Overview
For more information contact:............................................................................................................................................. Christopher Mark Day - ESAT Project Manager
Email : Click here
