A landmark case in Fiji today as the High Court in its capital Suva issued what is the country's first environmental crime sentence.
Controversial Chinese Resort Development company Freesoul Limited was fined $FJ1million (NZ$711,128) for breaching two counts of Fiji's Environmental Management Act.
The company is developing a resort on Malolo Island in the popular tourist hotspot, the Mamanuca Islands.
The company was issued a prohibition notice in June of 2018 after neighbours and indigenous landowners shed light on extensive environmental damage it was causing on the coast at Malolo Island.
According to court documents the company was issued a prohibition notice by the Department of Environment in June 2018 after landowners and neighbours alerted authorities of extensive coral and mangrove damage.
The company had dug an extensive sea channel and removed local marine life to gain direct access to the resort development.
The DOE had authorised only land works because an Environmental Impact Assessment had not been done on marine works.
When charged for unauthorised development, Freesoul denied responsibility but the Magistrate Seini Puamau, who heard the initial case, was not satisfied, given DOE evidence produced in court showing Freesoul apologising for the damage.
The case was referred to High Court Judge Justice Daniel Gounder who ordered Freesoul pay the DOE $FJ1million for the rehabilitation of the marine environment damage.
Justice Gounder said he was unable to issue a custodial sentence given the EMA provides for jail terms for persons not corporations.
"This case is about environment, criminal responsibility and punishment," Justice Gounder said.
"Although the offending is not the most serious type, the offender's culpability is high."
Justice Gounder sentenced Freesoul with the highest penalty possible under the EMA.
RNZ
