Waitabu 2009 Annual Biological & Socio-economic Survey 1st – 6th February 2009

February came and it was time again for the Marine Ecology team to head out to Waitabu village for their annual biological monitoring of the Waitabu Marine Park.

This year’s survey was both fun and quite successful. Despite the slightly few wet days at the beginning of the week, spirits remained alive through the week and we completed all surveys as per schedule.

Helen and I were joined by Rosemary Dautei from Reef Safari’s, Rachel Dacks, Nic Turrentine, Natalie Parker, John Leonard, Leslie Currie and Grace Yeung (posted in the village) of Peace Corps Fiji. To be part of the week long activities was an experience for them and an opportunity for us to exchange ideas and share experiences.

The village team of 11 volunteers were disciplined; excellent surveyors who definitely knew their stuff. Together we made a really dynamic team out of the Peace Corps, village surveyors and me, most of the time making sure we were doing it right. All this went on while Helen counted fish and saw to other matters of importance to the camp ground, village and home-stays.

2009 Waitabu Survey team
Back Row: Joe Saro (Boat captain), Grace Yeung (PC), Rose (RS), Tiko, Leslie (PC), John (PC), Natalie (PC), Nic (PC), Rachel (PC), Paulo.
Middle Row: Kelepi, Chin (MEC), Eta (Park Manager), Paulo W.

Front Row: Lari & Okostino
(Note: PC = Peace Corps, RS = Reef Safaris, ME = Marine Ecology Consulting)

Sunday 01 - Feb 2009

My week began with the village children the Sunday afternoon I arrived in Waitabu. Thirty seven kids took part in a three hour marine education and conservation program. Children from as young as 3 to 15 years participated in the introductory marine education lesson, drawing and coloring in of the poster “Sasalu ni Waitabu” which translates into Waitabu’s reef resources. Positive responses were received from the children and at the end of the program they were all shouting “na lase e manumanu” meaning coral is an animal. Even if these kids got in only as much is satisfactory for me as many young and adults in Fiji are still unaware of this fact.

Community children participating in marine education activity

Waitabu Kids

Child busy drawing reef resourced.

Dad Pita with 3yr old Sala busy coloring.

Monday 02 – Saturday 07 Feb 2009

The mornings began with a complete breakfast (most of the time) of fruits either Avocado pears (brought by Rose) papayas or banana’s (from the farm), Helen’s Mainland Vintage cheese, FMF breakfast crackers with either drau-ni-moli or Punjas tea. (Recommended field breakfast for reef surveyors in Fiji)

The biological surveys began on a wet Monday morning with the Manta Tow in the Marine Park.

Being dragged behind a boat is certainly a lot of fun but not when it’s raining and the water cold.

We rounded up for the day completing the “Cawaki” (edible sea urchins) survey in the Marine Park and the fishing grounds.

Manta Tow in Marine Protected Area

A refresher Reef Check training was conducted on Tuesday morning before we went out for the Giant Clam (Vasua) survey in the Marine Park and Trochus (Vivili) survey in the Marine Park and the fishing grounds.

Practice Reef Check surveys were first carried out in the Rara (village green) and then in the fishing grounds on Wednesday morning to make sure everyone understood and knew what they were recording.

Reef Check surveys were conducted in the fishing ground flats and at the reef edge after lunch on Wednesday.

We had what we call perfect Waitabu morning when we woke up on Thursday. I had the opportunity to see the rising sun lying inside my tent (luxury!!!). The mountains behind the village glowed orange as the sun came up and the lingering smell of burning wood from the open fire kitchens in the village will be etched in my memory for years.

Waitabu village on a bright Thursday morning.

The 6 Peace Corps volunteers, Rose and I started off with the Socio-economic survey in the morning covering at least 20 households to gather basic data such as dependence on resources, livelihood options and attitudes toward the Marine Park . This will be analyzed for inclusion hopefully into the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas database.

We finished Reef Check surveys in the Marine Park flats and edge later on Thursday afternoon and then everyone had a relaxing swim in the “tabu” area marveling at the unique color of corals and the abundance of fish.

Reef life in Marine Park

Through out the week we were well fed and looked after by Apisai’s family (Assitant Marine Park Manager). There were generous servings of Waci-poki (made out of taro leaves), pumpkin leaves in lolo (coconut milk), bele leaves in lolo, lobster, fish and the usual tinned fish and Maggi noodles at times.

Meal time L – R: Elia, Grace, Helen and Eta, enjoying a meal of waci-poki

We had been doing data write-up and drawing posters and graphs everyday at the end of surveys and so didn’t have much to finish up on Friday morning as we prepared for the community presentations later that afternoon.

Survey team working on results and graphs

The village survey team impressed me by agreeing to present the results of our week long survey to their community. Good on you boys!!! This certainly generated a lot of dialogue within the community members and we saw the benefit of having the village team presenting the results from their resources to their people.

Community members and volunteers sharing survey results with community members.

Stino Apao explaining “Cawaki” results as community members look on

Rose Dautei of Reef Safaris explaining benthic habitat map.

This was certainly a rewarding and memorable experience for me as the team proved that they could do this themselves when given the opportunity.

The 2009 Biological Survey Team

I flew back home on Saturday morning with pleasant memories of the 2009 surveys in Waitabu. It couldn’t have been any better.

Chinnamma Reddy
Marine Scientist
Marine Ecology Consulting

Waitabu 2009 Annual Biological & Socio-economic Survey 1st – 6th February 2009

Tokoriki Diving, Fiji: Tokoriki Diving: Blue Coral (Heliopora Coerulea) Discovery

Blue Coral (Heliopora Coerulea) Discovery

Tokoriki Diving, Fiji: Tokoriki Diving: Blue Coral (Heliopora Coerulea) Discovery

We are always looking for new Dive Sites particularly when we have divers who are doing a lot of dives with us. When you are looking for a dive site the tendency is always to go further out and sometimes you overlook the little gems right on your doorstep. On the way to the Outer Barrier reef, but only four minutes from Tokoriki we crossed a little patch reef covered in coral. The next day we went straight out and dived this site and were astounded by the extent of hard coral cover. Over the next few weeks we got to know the site and decided because of its evident good health but also its proximity to Tokoriki to include it as one of the three dives chosen for the Reef Check program. During one of the Reef Check dives our good friend Marine Biologist Di Walker got very excited, after lots of gesticulating and scribbling on slates we realised that she had found something pretty special…

Press Release (2004) Di Walker; Project Manager, Mamanuca Environment Society

“Upon a recent Reef Check survey Dive in the Mamanuca Islands just West of the Main Island of Viti Levu in Fiji, I happened to chance upon the Blue coral, Heliopora coerulea growing in a section of the patch reef that was being surveyed. Having dived the Mamanuca Islands extensively and never having observed the coral I was very much of the same opinion of most experts that this coral just did not exist in Fiji.

“Low Isles on the northern Great Barrier Reef probably represent the southern–most reported presence of Heliopora and American Samoa the eastern-most, with a line being drawn at the Island of Rotuma for distribution of the coral into Fiji. Experts have declared this coral extinct in Fiji with no recent observations having been made of the coral being alive. Reports made in 1985 consider the presence of the coral in Fiji doubtful as it was not recorded in beach sediments or coral assemblages studied inand around the Fiji Islands. The study also declared that the genus was formerly present in Fiji since Heliopora fijiensis was named by Hoffmeister (1945) from Miocene deposits on the Fiji Island chain of Lau.

“The patch reef that the Heliopora coerulea was observedgrowing on was very intact. A large massive porites colonymeasuring 5m by 5m was observed close to the growth site as were numerous unusually large Giant clams (Tridacna Squamosa) with the shell measuring over 70cm in length. Although this site is surrounded by a resort and could be frequently used by the two neighbouring island villages for fishing and collection of invertebrates, it appears to be relatively untouched. The colonies of Blue Coral were small with maximum height of 20cm and width of about 40cm. There were many colonies observed but only on a small section of the reef. This does raise the question of whether these colonies are ancient relics, due to the obvious intact state of the reef or new invaders to the group due to their small colony size.

“This Coral, also commonly known as Blue Ridge Coral, is used in other islands where it is commonly found for jewellery and also in the aquarium trade due to its’ unusual Sky Blue skeleton. The Skeleton is made of aragonite deposits and the Coral closely related to the Octocoral family which means the polyps have eight tentacles. It produces a hard skeleton unlike most other ‘octocorals’ and it is a tawny brown colour on the outside.”
Blue Coral Reef lies about four minutes from Tokoriki Island Resort and is suitable for divers of all abilities. Please also check our Dive Sites Map for our Blue Coral dive site location.


Tokoriki Diving, Fiji: Tokoriki Diving: Blue Coral (Heliopora Coerulea) Discovery

Matava a finalist in Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards

Matava finalist in 2 categories for AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2008

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 10th February 2008 - Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort was proud to be nominated in 2 categories, and was chosen as a finalist in both categories in the AON Excellence in Tourism Awards.

Bite Me Gamefishing Charters was a finalist in the Adventure Tourism Award and Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort was a finalist in the Quality Accommodation Award.
The annual Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards night sponsored by AON was held at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island on 6th February 2009, and attended by Matava Director, Stuart Gow. Many local tourism operators and business people attended the evening presentations. This year there was over a thousand nominees in the 12 categories.

The Adventure Tourism Award was won by our friends at Adrenaline Watersportsand the Quality Accommodation Award was won by Matava's normal airport transfer hotel the ACCOR Group's Mercure Hotel in Nadi.

The annual Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards night sponsored by AON was held at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island on 6th February 2009, and attended by Matava Director, Stuart Gow. Many local tourism operators and business people attended the evening presentations. This year there was over a thousand nominees in the 12 categories.

The Adventure Tourism Award was won by our friends at Adrenaline Watersportsand the Quality Accommodation Award was won by Matava's normal airport transfer hotel the ACCOR Group's Mercure Hotel in Nadi.

"Although we missed out in winning this year's awards we are proud to have been nominated as finalists in both categories amongst such high calibre competition and collegues" said Mr Richard Akhtar, Matava's Managing Director.

Mr Akhtar finished by saying "Congratulations to both Adrenaline Watersports and Mercure Nadi in their achievements this year. The improvements made, and standards set by Mr Rhys Martin, General Manager Mercure, converted us to start using the hotel in the past year as our Nadi transfer hotel, so we feel this is an award well deserved by Rhys and his team. Well done!"

Captain Adrian Watt of Bite Me Gamefishing Charters congratulated Mr Ben Dogget, Director of Adrenaline South Pacific and operator of the excellent gamefishing boats MV Opulence, MV Synergy and MV Katchalot for their award.

"It is fantastic to see that gamefishing is getting recognized in Fiji for the excellence it provides in service to our clients. Gamefishing in Fiji has long been overlooked internationally with countries like Tonga and Vanuatu gaining a lot more press. At last Fiji is being recognised alongside these destinations as a world class fishery for tournament species like Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Pacific Sailfish, Wahoo and Dogtooth Tuna"

He concluded by showing the good natured competitive spirit between the two fishing charter companies "As the only 2 IGFA Weigh Stations in the Fiji Islands Bite Me Gamefishing Charters and Adrenaline represent the premium gamefishing experiences in the country. To be a finalist in an Adventure Tourism award category alongside Adrenaline was an honour, and we look forward to competing with them to see who can break the most fishing records in the coming year. We're standing at 24 Fiji national records on Bite Me, where are you now? Kapena, let the games begin!"

The AON Excellence in Tourism Awards are not only to recognize excellence, special effort and initiative but to act as an incentive for the local community of all races to enter the tourism industry and so the Land Owners in particular feel that they are real partners of Fiji's largest employer and major foreign exchange earner.

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views

Bite-Me Gamefishing Charters is our on-site IGFA game fishing specialists offering the best of superb record breaking blue water game fishing for tuna, wahoo, sailfish and marlin.

www.Matava.com www.Scuba-Diving-Fiji.com www.GamefishingFiji.com

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For Immediate Release
Contact:
Richard Akhtar
679 333 6222
Matava- Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort - Excellence in Tourism Awards

Ekolibrium

A world wide ecological project

built by the people for the community

(This blog’s seed has just been planted, so you may be witnessing ongoing changes)

Thank you for joining the ekolibrium Web blog. We are aware of the amount of information in this blog… words, words and more words, but we really think that the project is worth it.

Before going any further with the explanation of ekolibirum’s exciting birth, life and evolution, we would like to point out an important fact: ekolibrium has no capital “e” because ekolibrium considers everyone as an equal in front of the “Big Blue”, our planet!

Spread the news!

ekolibrium’s Strategy

“A clever person solves a problem,

a wise person avoids it”

-Albert Einstein

Well, we don’t know if Einstein’s theory will stand for us but we will do our best in order to be wise enough to avoid problems and clever enough to compensate our lack of awareness.

Through this section, you will know about our strategy and the paths we will take.

Will our strategy cross our expectations or shall we be the witnesses and victims of our ignorance?

Since this project started almost one year ago, our strategy already changed many times, not because the preview strategies were not good enough but because we had to reconsider it for each new born information. Ekolibrium’s Weblog

PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award Awarded to Matava

Matava has been awarded the PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award 2008 for its policies on environmental sustainability 

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 5th Februuary 2008 - Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to announce that it is an official 2008 recipient of The PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award.


Project AWARE Foundation Chairman, Dr. Drew Richardson recognizes the importance of the scuba diving community taking its part in protection of global ecosystems. "The Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award is about rewarding vision, excellence and pursuit of conservation. More importantly, this award ensures the enjoyment of underwater environments for future generations," states Richardson.


"Our awards recognise dive operators making a positive impact on local communities and the environment, as well as providing great dive holidays! The number of outstanding environmental programs taking place is inspiring," said Joanna McNamara, Project AWARE Coordinator. 


After reviewing Matava's application, Project AWARE determined that our dive operation met all requirements set forth for Project AWARE's Environmental Achievement Award and shown exemplary efforts to conserve aquatic environments through education, advocacy and action. Therefore, Project AWARE was proud to name Matava an official 2008 recipient!



Matava Director, Mr Richard Akhtar says "The PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award gives us special environmental recognition and shows our customers that we are responsible and committed to reducing the environmental impacts of our business."


"After 6 years of hard work and commitment to our strict environmental policies, it is rewarding to be recognized by our international scuba certification agency"


Mr Akhtar went on to say that "..after our recent major resort upgrade in early 2008, and the addition of our new high-tech solar power plant solution for the Main Bure, kitchen and The Terrace restaurant area, we believe we are the leader in eco-sustainable resorts in the country."


Mr Akhtar finished by saying "Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort has proved that it is indeed among the leaders in environmentally sensitive resorts worldwide, and this latest award solidifies our position as an example of how resorts can operate AND help maintain and improve the surrounding environment."
 
Project AWARE Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization, works in direct partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. To get involved in environmental activities and make a lasting difference visit www.projectaware.org 
 

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands.

Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views

Mad Fish Dive Centre and Bite-Me Gamefishing Charters are our on-site diving and fishing specialists offering the best of both under and on the water activities.

www.Matava.com www.Scuba-Diving-Fiji.com www.GamefishingFiji.com

# # #

PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award Awarded to Matava

Presentation by Dr Juerg Brunnschweiler: Bull Shark behavior and ecology in the South Pacific: The Bull Shark Tagging Programme

Bula All,

We are inviting you to attend a presentation by Dr Juerg Brunnschweiler who is a shark specialist. The presentation will be :
Venue: USP Marine Studies lecture theatre, Lower Campus
Date: February 9
Time: 5pm
Subject: An intergrated approach to study Bull Shark behavior and ecology in the South Pacific: The Bull Shark Tagging Programme

Synopsis:
Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) are widespread along the continental coasts of all tropical and subtropical seas but also occur around remote island states far away from continental waters. They are often found close inshore in shallow water which makes them readily accessible for scientific study. The Bull Shark Tagging Programme started in 2003 with a pilot study in the Bahamas to test the feasibility of studying movement patterns and habitat use of bull sharks with state-of-the-art pop-up satellite archival tags. Since 2004 the project's main field site is located in Shark Reef Marine Reserve off the southern coast of Viti Levu, Fiji, where the behaviour and ecology of bull sharks is investigated using direct and indirect observational and monitoring techniques and tools.

Please spread the news to your friends and collegues.

Vinaka

Eroni Rasalato
Coordinator Year of the Shark - Fiji
www.FijiShark.com
info@FijiShark.com
Tel: (+679) 345 0911
Cell: (+679) 903 2743
Fax: (+679) 345 0901

The Best Shark Dive in the World!

The Shark Safe Project: There is Hope!

Lawrence Groth and Christopher Chin chat with Peter Knights from WildAid

There is no light at the end of the tunnel yet.
But there is definitely hope.

When we were planning this event, we never expected any of these establishments to throw down their soup pots and surrender without a fight.
But we did get one after all.

We had a fantastic weekend.

On Saturday, Lawrence Groth and Bob Mc Nerney from Shark Safe and Christopher Chin from COARE joined forces. As a team we went into Chinatown together, we verified several restaurants that serve shark fin soup, and identified a number of markets that sell fins. We provided information in English and Chinese to each of these proprietors, and engaged in some friendly discussion. In all but a few cases, we were treated with respect, and number of restaurateurs seemed quite interested and said they would consider removing shark fin soup from their menus.

We also ran into two restaurant owners who were very much opposed to shark fin soup (one of which was previously and mistakenly noted as offering the soup). We will be working with these two restaurants to help set an example and encourage others to follow the same path.

Sitting down with a map and our notes from the day, we decided upon the most effective approach and prioritized locations to picket the next day.

The Shark Safe Project: There is Hope!