Mullikin returns to Fiji

S.C. Attorney leads legislative reform team, dives with sharks, and starts library in Fiji

Attorney Tom Mullikin, pres. of the Mullikin Law Firm and Global Eco Adventures – in coordination with the American Bar Association’s International Environmental Law Committee and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – led an international group of 52 attorneys in a review of the Republic of Fiji’s proposed mineral and seabed mining legislation. The S.C. attorney also found time to swim with sharks in Fijian waters, explore cannibal caves ashore, and meet with tribal leaders about a new library.

The review of the mining legislation, however, was the primary focus of Mullikin’s return-trip to the Melanesian island nation. It was (and is) an effort aimed at protecting Fiji’s rich mineral resources. “That was first and foremost,” said Mullikin.

Accompanied by his associate Chelsea Bacher (also an attorney with the Mullikin Law Firm), Mullikin presented his and the group’s findings to Fiji’s Technical Committee of the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources on Apr. 4, 2014, describing and outlining recommendations “necessary to achieve a sustainable and successful piece of legislation for Fiji,” says Mullikin.

Fiji’s Permanent Secretary of Lands and Mineral Resources Tevita Boseiwaqa and officials from the Department of Mining, the Office of Attorney General, the Ministries of iTaukei Affairs, Finance, Agriculture, and Fisheries and Forests attended the presention with other departments and agencies; as did UNDP representatives Akiko Fujii, Asenaca Ravuvu and Janet Murdock who assisted with the meeting, held at the Naviti Resort on Fiji’s coral coast on Viti Levu.

Mullikin’s presentation – entitled “Four Pillars of Success” – focused on –

1) Prudent, Efficient & Sustainable Relationship with Nature
2) Financial Security for Fiji
3) Appellate Review – Transparency & Accountability
4) Public Participation.

Following the presentation, Fiji’s director of Mineral Resources facilitated a discussion wherein the executive committee was divided into four groups, each discussing issues under each “Pillar” as well as ways to develop and include the recommendations provided by the report into the draft law.

“These roundtable discussions facilitated a forum that encouraged free flowing ideas and healthy atmosphere to determine the best avenue for Fiji,” said Mullikin. “I believe that this historic examination and the forthcoming Fiji law will serve as a model for similar standards in the South Pacific and around the world.”

According to Mullikin, “There is a growing global need for the metals sought through responsible mining activities. Fiji has begun a considered and deliberative process to find that careful balance between environmental sensitive mining, mutual economic gain, protection of the public through transparent and meaningful participation and rights of indigenous people.”

Mullikin said that though he has had “the good fortune” of working on sensitive environmental issues around the world, he has “never had the opportunity to work alongside a man of such balance, long-term vision and brilliance as Permanent Secretary Tevita Boseiwaqa.”

DIVING AND EXPLORING

While in Fiji, Mullikin joined marine biologist Ben Saqata, SCUBA diving in a marine protected area (MPA) designed to support various shark populations.

“This was a very impressive MPA to help repopulate the local shark population which has been decimated in recent years due to wasteful efforts to harvest shark fins,” said Mullikin. “We want to have firsthand successful projects on the cutting edge of ecosystem protection and restoration as part of our client activities and in search of learning opportunities for our students involved with Global Eco Adventures.”

Global Eco Adventures, a 501(c)(3) non profit, is a S.C.-based global exploration and environmental-expedition and education organization founded by Mullikin, who also serves as Environmental Executive-In-Residence at Coastal Carolina University, widely held to be one of the world’s premier marine science programs.

In Fiji, Mullikin and Bacher also explored indigenous villages and other areas. This included visits to villages near Fiji’s “Salad Bowl,” an area located in the lush Sigatoka Valley (near the Sigatoka River) and known for its production of fruits and vegetables.

A NEW LIBRARY

During their expedition to explore nearby “cannibal caves,” Mullikin, Bacher, and others crossed the Sigatoka River, and were told by locals that the children who live in the villages on one side of the river must cross to attend grade-school on the opposite side.

They were told that in 2012, a British couple raised money for the village to build a preschool on the one side of the river.

In an effort to help provide for the children, Mullikin and Bacher met with the chief from the village of Toga and discussed ways to assist. As a result, Mullikin donated funds to build a library for the children (from all villages in the river region). The library – to be named the Virginia Ann Mullikin Library (named in honor of Mullikin’s wife) – will serve as a repository of books for all reading levels.