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An assessment of the site was conducted on 6 December 2004 by Joe Aitaro and Ann and Clarence Kitalong of The Environment. Inc. (TEI). The TEI team conducted a qualitative and quantitative assessment within the waste disposal site and along the forest and river surrounding the site.The team identified and recorded flora and fauna found within and immediately adjacent to the site. At selected points the TEI team described the habitat, flora and fauna. The red dots on indicate reference points from this assessment. The team did not do any subsurface sampling during the terrestrial or coastal survey. The team also met a community representative of the Ebiil Society at the Ollei dock.

Tonga could make economic savings of approximately TOP 6.5 million through improved solid and liquid waste management nationwide. The estimates are based on some key assumptions about functional relationships between the nature and volume of waste and human health effects, waste and the coastal ecosystem and fisheries, as well as the effects of waste on tourism and the aesthetic value residents place on a clean environment. Given the paucity of scientific information, there is an urgent need to collect solid scientific information about the causal relationship between waste and its direct and indirect effects on fisheries, coastal ecosystems and human health. Despite this limitation, the economic values presented in this study can serve as a powerful advocacy tool to better target education and extension programs that advocate for reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste.