Ma'afu Marine Lecture Series:: Shark Reef Marine Reserve: Conservation, Research and Shark Provisioning

Ma'afu Marine Lecture Series

Shark Reef Marine Reserve: Conservation, Research and Shark Provisioning

Ni sa bula vinaka, Colleagues !!

Mike Neumann has kindly agreed to give this week's Ma'afu Marine Lecture, following on from Helen Sykes' inspiring talk on Fiji's Shark Sanctuary Campaign.

Mike will be talking about the origin of Shark Reef Marine Reserve and associated tourism and research aspects. 

Many of you will have seen a number of press releases this week, announcing that researchers from the University of Miami, Florida have completed the first satellite-tagging study to find out how ecotourism impacts on tiger sharks. I copied a summary of their paper below and attached a related paper from 2011. More information can be found under the following links and may provide a useful background for Mikes' lecture.

• www.bbc.co.uk/nature/17299522
• www.functionalecology.org/view/0/index.html
• www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110627143831.htm
• www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13683500.2011.585227
• http://www.scribd.com/doc/59874229/Global-shark-currency-the-distribution-frequency-and-economic-value-of-shark-ecotourism-by-Neil-Hammerschlag

Please join us :

Date: 15.03.2012
Time: 4:30 pm
Venue:   Veitiri Conference Room, IUCN Office, 5 Ma'afu Street, Suva 

Mike Neumann is a retired lawyer and banking executive.

He now lives in Fiji and is a full-time marine conservationist with a special interest in Sharks.

As always, please kindly share this invitation widely with friends and colleagues, we look forward to see you on Thursday afternoon in Ma'afu street,

Vinaka Vakalevu,

Jan

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Don't bite the hand that feeds: Assessing ecological impacts of provisioning ecotourism on an apex marine predator

Neil Hammerschlag, Austing Gallagher, Julia Wester, Jiangang Luo and Jerald Ault

Ecotourism activities that use food to attract and concentrate wildlife for viewing have become a controversial topic. This debate is best exemplified by the shark dive tourism industry, a highly lucrative and booming global market. Use of chum (fish parts and blood) or food to attract sharks to divers has generated significant concerns, with many criticisms focusing on the potential for ecological and behavioral impacts.

To tackle this issue, we conducted the first satellite telemetry study to examine the long range movement patterns of tiger sharks (the largest apex predator in tropical waters) in response to dive tourism. We studied two separate populations of tiger sharks: one that originated in Florida and the other in the Bahamas. At the Bahamas site, nicknamed "Tiger Beach," chum is regularly used to attract sharks for diving purposes. In contrast, shark feeding for ecotourism is illegal in Florida waters.

Satellite tracking revealed that both groups of tiger sharks displayed similar, long distance migration patterns into the Atlantic. Our data suggests that ecotourism activities do not impact the long term shark movements. Instead, this study allowed us to make several new discoveries related to the previously unknown ecology of Atlantic tiger sharks. Tracked sharks spent a large amount of time in the open ocean, thus challenging conventional wisdom that tiger sharks are generally more "coastal" than "pelagic" species. Both groups of sharks followed the Gulf Stream north east, into areas of high productivity, suggesting an opportunistic foraging strategy for this species. This trait, and the relatively low percentage of daily consumption needs estimated to be provided by chumming, may combine to make tiger sharks less susceptible to the behavioral changes explored here. We further speculate that the Bahamas tourism site may serve as an area for female tiger sharks to gestate while pregnant, before heading off to feed or birth elsewhere.

Because shark-based ecotourism generates significant economic and conservation benefits, and further because our data did not provide evidence of tourism impacting long-term movements of tiger sharks, we believe that managers should not prevent shark diving tourism unless new data were to demonstrate otherwise.

---

Jan H. STEFFEN
Regional Marine Program Coordinator
IUCN Oceania Office
Private Mail Bag
5 Ma'afu Street
Suva, FIJI

Ph     +679 - 331 9084
Fax     +679 - 310 0128
M    +679 - 938 2722
jan.steffen@iucn.org
www.iucn.org/oceania

Marine life grows in protected areas - Fiji Times Online

Marine life grows in protected areas

VASEMACA RARABICI
Sunday, February 24, 2008

+ Enlarge this image

In Verata Ucunivanua, there is an abundance of kaikoso (clams) in the no-fishing zones leading to increased catches and higher incomes for fishermen

Fiji's commitment to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network covering 30 per cent of the country's in-shore fisheries by 2020 could be realised earlier than expected.

This commitment made in January 2005 by the Government has resulted in more than 200 marine protected areas within Fiji's 410 customary fishing grounds, known as i qoliqoli. That's more than 50 per cent of the total target accomplished within just three years.
Conservationists are excited about the increase in the number of MPA's or fishing grounds that have been declared taboo by traditional owners. And they are targeting for more. Already surveys have shown that fish numbers and other marine resources are increasing in these taboo areas and many have dispersed to other areas, leading to increased catches and improved livelihoods especially amongst coastal communities, which makes up 60 per cent of Fiji's population.
Government's partnership with non-government organisation and the community to protect its marine environment for a sustainable future has challenged other pacific nations to do likewise.
This includes the "Micronesia Challenge" undertaken by Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to protect 30 per cent of near-shore marine resources and 20 per cent of terrestrial resources on their islands by 2020.
More recently Kiribati has become a global conservation leader by establishing the world's largest marine protected area an ocean wilderness of pristine coral reefs and rich fish populations threatened by over-fishing and climate change.
In one of the first studies of its kind, The Nature Conservancy has worked with leading academics on a study that conclusively proves that marine protected areas (MPAs) can help alleviate poverty.
A MPA is an area of ocean or coastal water recognised by both government and society as having specific conservation value.
Measures are put in place to preserve the quality of marine life including restricted access for fishing, diving and other potentially harmful activities.
Governments around the world are wrestling with questions about whether investments in conservation benefit the lives of extremely impoverished people. The "Nature's Investment Bank" study provides new evidence that these investments do bring about measurable economic and quality of life benefits.
Co-authored by Nature Conservancy policy advisor Craig Leisher, Dutch economist Dr Peter van Beukering, and social scientist Dr Lea M. Scherl, this study found restoration of local resources be they fisheries or coral reefs increased fish catch and economic opportunities, improved community health, and directly enhanced the lives of local residents.
"When marine protected areas are developed with government support, scientific data, and are managed primarily by local communities that take pride in the management of their natural resources, significant improvements in quality of life can be seen," said Craig Leisher, co-author of the study.
As a Fijian community leader from Waiqanake Village, outside Suva, Weku Ratumainaceva said: "The marine protected area is like a bank to the people. Opening more branches of the bank in developing countries can contribute to coastal poverty reduction. By conserving marine resources, people will reap higher returns in the future."
The study findings demonstrate that opening more branches of the "bank" in developing countries can contribute to coastal poverty reduction. The study team conducted more than 1100 interviews within poor communities in four countries using rigorous scientific methodology endorsed by several leading environmental economists and social scientists analysed the effect of marine protected areas at four very different sites Navakavu a locally managed marine area outside Suva; Indonesia's Bunaken National Marine Park; a community marine conservation area in the Solomon islands and on Apo Island in the Philippines.
According to Nature Conservancy, the worldwide poverty crisis has risen to the forefront of global issues, and with nearly three billion people around the world living on the equivalent of $US2 a day or less, millions are forced to make decisions that damage their environment in order to feed themselves and their families.
"When poverty increases, fish stocks are depleted. Fishermen are often driven to use destructive methods to catch what little is left, damaging the reefs and fish habitat that produce the food local communities depend upon for survival. With every 5 per cent loss of coral reefs, 250,000-500,000 tons of fish are lost as well, threatening food security for millions," Nature Conservancy said. "This study highlights the importance of protecting these ocean habitats, to both preserve essential marine life and reduce poverty in coastal areas not only in Asia-Pacific but across many impoverished coastal communities around the globe."
Working in partnership with local non-governmental organisations and universities, the researchers talked to over 1100 local people about the changes they had seen in the quality of their life since the creation of the nearby marine protected areas. Across the four sites surveyed, there was clear evidence that poverty had been reduced by several factors:
- Improved fish catches. Fish are now "spilling over" from the no-fishing zones of marine protected areas, leading to increased catches and higher incomes for fishermen at three of the sites.
- New jobs, mostly in tourism. The marine protected areas' greatest boost to household incomes came from new jobs, especially in eco-tourism. In Fiji, tourism has surpassed fishing as the largest source of income.
- Stronger local governance. Involving the community in management and decision-making of the marine protected area gives the community a more united voice and frequently reduced conflict within the communities and with neighbouring communities.
- Benefits to health. Greater fish catches led to greater protein intake and a perceived improvement in children's health in particular.
- Benefits to women. Marine protected areas helped empower women economically and in some cases socially. The development of alternative livelihoods to fishing, such as seaweed farming and basket weaving, provides new income opportunities for women. As a result, they gained a stronger voice in community meetings.
"By focusing on potentially positive examples, we aimed to identify key factors for success that could be replicated elsewhere," explains Craig Leisher, co-author of the report and a senior policy advisor for the Conservancy.
The Conservancy hopes governments will use these study findings to harness the full benefits of marine protected areas to improve the well-being of local people while conserving marine life. The study recommends key strategies for strengthening the creation and management of MPAs that include:
- Committing to financial investment in protected areas, both in the initial set up and in subsequent years.
- Developing a network of smaller, ecologically connected MPA sites, each linked to a community, to increase local access to benefits.
- Empowering local communities in the decision making and management of the marine protected area. "Marine protected areas and local communities need each other. Without the support of the local community, marine protected areas will not succeed," says Leisher.
"Similarly, by preserving marine life, we can help the communities that depend on the bounty of the sea for their survival. We should not artificially separate conservation and poverty reduction in the places where we work they are almost always inextricably linked."
- Ms Rarabici is a Communication Analyst with SeaWeb. SeaWeb is a Communication Company that helps the media, NGO's, policy makers and businesses promote a healthy ocean.


Marine life grows in protected areas - Fiji Times Online

Namena Marine Reserve

Our Projects | Coral Reef Alliance

The Namena Marine Reserve, located off the southwest coast of the island of Vanua Levu, was created in 1997 to respond to the combined pressures of increased fishing, tourism activity, and poaching on the reef. When CORAL started working with the reserve several years later, the local Kubulau community wanted to improve its resources and management of the reserve.

To this end, CORAL facilitated the development of a successful and transparent user fee system that supports a variety of community initiatives and general management of the marine reserve. User fee revenues have been used to offset school fees and build bus stops in an economically depressed area of the Kubulau District. In addition, CORAL has offered training in Sustainable Marine Recreation (SMR) for local marine recreation providers as a means of increasing knowledge and experience of responsible tourism business practices. With CORAL’s help, the KMRC has created an environment of trust and open communication among local stakeholders. All eight dive operators that currently visit the Namena Marine Reserve support the park and fully comply with its user fee system.

Because CORAL staff and field representatives have consistently delivered on our commitments, we have become a well-regarded partner to the community. As a result, we have recently expanded the geographic focus of our work to include the entire scope of the community’s traditional fishing grounds—known as Qoliqoli—of which the Namena Marine Reserve is a significant portion. Along with such project partners as the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), CORAL has launched several ambitious projects designed to elevate the entire Kubulau Qoliqoli Conservation Corridor (KQCC) to a level of conservation excellence, against which CORAL hopes to measure all future project sites.

Our Projects | Coral Reef Alliance

The future is now for youths in MPAs - Fiji Times Online

The future is now for youths in MPAs - Fiji Times Online

ALUMECI NAKEKE
Wednesday, June 04, 2008

The involvement of youths in village project often indicates their commitment to their future.

It shows their understanding that the project not only concerns them but their future generation.

The youths of Waitabu on the island of Taveuni are no exception.

Since the establishment of their Marine Reserve Park or Marine Protected Area 10 years ago, it has been part of their (youths) daily life, learning and understanding its importance from the elders.

Helen Sykes, a Marine Ecology consultant and ecologist, who initiated the marine park still remembers the day she arrived in the village the youths were then still children or young teenagers.

But today, those children have grown into youths and are now monitoring the park and act as snorkel guides for tourists who visit occasionally.

"One of the big changes that always surprises me is the small children who were here when I first started but now have now become snorkel guides," she said.

"The children in the village of Waitabu have grown up always having a marine protected area.

"I can't wait to see these children now, in another 10 years when they become teenagers and young adults who have always had an MPA provided by their elders."

Another 18 youths underwent a marine tour guide training this year including those from Wai and Vurevure. The training was done by Resort Support and CORAL (Coral Reef Alliance).

They used the Marine Tourism Education course by Ms Sykes which has recently been recognised by the Training and Productivity of Fiji (TPAF).

The Waitabu youths are very passionate when they talk about their involvement in the marine park project.

Akostino Apao, a snorkel guide said, he was prepared to fight if he found someone poaching from their marine protected area. He said the MPA was his and his children's future.

The village recently celebrated the park's 10th anniversary and it was the youths who took part in the traditional yaqona ceremony as a show of appreciation for something they believe in.

Arieta Divialagi, who is now the manager of the marine park, was one of the young people in the village who has grown up with the marine park and seen its benefits.

She is now married with three children and even though her children are young they are already aware of the importance of the marine park.

"Since the setting up of this marine protected area we have seen many changes and we have benefited greatly in terms of it providing us with food. We are so passionate about out marine protected area because we've basically grown up with it," Ms Divialagi said.

The village has never opened its tabu area, which is about 0.27square kilometres.

It was originally an over-fished and severely depleted area but now is unbelievably filled with fish species, normal coral cover and giant clams, trochus shells and invertebrates.

Even after five years of protection the villagers and those doing the biological report of the marine park saw a vast change as the marine life population reached their peak and had stabilised and remained fairly constant in succeeding years despite poaching pressures on some fish species, said Sykes.

In their survey according to Resort Support they found coral bleaching in 2000 reduced coral cover for some years but over the past three years it had improved in the MPA and fishing ground slopes but not the flats.

Algal cover has dropped in the MPA because of grazing by increased numbers of invertebrate animals and fish, particularly the large schools of surgeonfish.

Surgeonfish remove algae and clean substrate for new corals to grow.

But this is not so in the fishing grounds, which people use because of over-fishing.

Coral breakage is not seen in the MPA because people have ceased to walk on them so there is more branching Acropora corals now make up a high percentage of live hard coral in the MPA.

Clams (vasua) was one of the most successful in the MPA because when they started in 1998 there were no clams found but within that year bout eight small clams appeared.

After five years of protection some had reached adult size and the population increased and now there are about 30 to 40 adult size which are the breeding size.

Immature clams were found and it is believed that the clams are now spawning or attracting larval clams into the area.

However, they found a few empty clam shells over the past two years. It is likely to be caused by natural predation or disease rather than poaching because they found two clams of the same size next to the dead one still intact and alive.

While marine life is thriving in the marine reserve the fishing ground is benefiting as villagers now get more fish and sea urchins (cawaki) and octopus.

But poaching is a big issue as nearby villagers are aware of the abundance of fish and invertebrates in the MPA.

The future is now for youths in MPAs - Fiji Times Online

A guardian of the sea - Fiji Times Online

Okostino Apao ... protecting the sea

ALUMECI NAKEKE
Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The love for his fishing ground and a request from his dying mother prompted 23-year-old Okostino Apao to put his studies on hold and look after the village marine protected area.

Apao is originally from Rotuma but grew up in his mother's village of Waitabu on Taveuni.

As Apao grew up, he never really understood the importance of the work his late mother Sala did, which is to manage the village marine protected area, now known as the Waitabu Marine Park as it is frequently visited by tourists.

Sala was the force behind the setting up of the park with the help of Marine Ecology Fiji Consultant, Helen Sykes.

After completing Form Seven on Taveuni, Apao enrolled at the Fiji Institute of Technology, but had to return to help his sick mother with her work. Sadly, she died in 2006.

Since then, Apao said, he has continued to do the work his mother did and has never regretted leaving FIT because he loved every moment at sea.

"She used to tell us the benefits of the work that she was doing but we never really bothered. We were also angry with her for leaving us many times and going overseas because of her work," he said as tears welled up in his eyes.

"But she was passionate about what she was doing and even though she had high blood pressure and was sickly she still carried on with her work. I tried to find out why she was so enthusiastic about the project so I involved myself in monitoring the area with other youth and people in the village.

"Through my participation I realised what she was doing was really important but sadly for me, she died after only seven months of working with her.

A guardian of the sea - Fiji Times Online

Websites opened for marine protected areas - Fiji Times Online

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

THE only international organisation working exclusively mainly to protect coral reefs from the effects of global climate change has taken a bold step to promote local culture and richness.

The Coral Reef Alliance has launched two community-driven tourist websites for marine protected areas in Fiji.

The dedicated websites are for Namena Marine Reserve situated at Kubulau in Bua and the Waitabu Marine Park on Taveuni in the biodiversity waters of Fiji.

The websites: www.namena.org and www.waitabu.org was launched in America last Friday.

It features details such as visitor information, local community profiles and facts about park operations, providing an essential resource for tourists, conservationists, members of the local government and communities, and non-government organisations.

Made possible by the generous support of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the two websites were designed with extensive participation by local community members as a means of sharing traditional cultural knowledge with potential visitors and engaging the local population in the conservation of its precious natural resources.

Waitabu Village chief Tui Nasau is keen on promoting their natural resources and share the warm nature of the locals.

"In village life, we help each other and work together. Everything is done as a community. We would like to share our marine park with more visitors for it to become a truly self-sustaining operation," said the chief.

Known to be one of the best scuba diving spots in Fiji, the roughly 40-square-mile Namena Marine Reserve is home to many endemic and rare species. Established in 1997, the reserve stretches between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

Waitabu Marine Park is a vibrant reef set aside for the benefit of tourism and education.

Websites opened for marine protected areas - Fiji Times Online

WWF South Pacific | Villagers take lead in financing their I qoloqoli in Macuata, Fiji

- By Ashwini Prabha

The people of the qoliqoli (fishing grounds) of the vanua Nabekavu, Dreketi, Macuata, Sasa and Mali have, in the past 2 years, implemented set actions for the use of their I qoliqoli.

They have successfully set aside 9 areas, totaling to 117 kms2 within the I qoliqoli as tabus(protected areas), for the purpose of restocking the I qoliqoli. Already, the people of the I qoliqoli are talking about larger fishes caught near shore as in the past and different types that had not been seen in the recent years have begun to come back.

“This week we went out fishing everyday and came back with a full catch compared to few years ago when we would go out one day and have a good catch and the next three to four days we would hardly catch anything. These changes have also attracted increasing illegal fishers into the I qoliqoli and into the 'tabu' (protected areas) areas.”

- Emosi Baya, one of the I qoliqoli committee members from Nakawaga, Mali Island.

“These changes have also increasingly attracted illegal fishers into the I qoliqoli and into the tabu areas,”

said Baya.

Currently WWF Fiji and partners are working with the Macuata communities by assisting in the development and implementation of resource management plan, educating and training of community members to undertake activities outlined in their management plans, training fish wardens and building community capacity (through household financial literacy training, community messaging, community biological and socio-economic surveyors etc).

With WWFs support to come to an end in three years, there is a commitment by WWF to assist the qoliqoli committee to secure funding with which the qoliqoli communities will continue to manage their I qoliqoli’s.

Long term self financing of Marine Protected Areas

A 12 month Fund Raising Plan (May 2007 to June 2008), with 4 activities, targeting FJD100,000, has been developed to generate funding for the management of the qoliqoli, spearheaded by the Qoliqoli Committee of the Vanua Nabekavu, Tikina Dreketi, Macuata, Sasa & Mali.

“A review of the 2004 management plan showed that the Qoliqoli committee lacked dedicated funds or a plan to seek funds for the implementation of this plan which includes the actions by fish wardens in stemming illegal fishing.”

- Sanivalati Navuku, Project officers, WWF Fiji Programme

The first fundraising event is the upcoming Great Sea Reefs (GSR) Sevens Rugby Tournament, in November (9th to 10th) at the Subrail Park, in Labasa. The tournament targets to raise $15,000.00.

Ten top national teams will be invited to participate, with part of their travel and accommodation costs supported by the Qoliqoli Committee through sponsorship.

A total of 56 teams are expected to participate, including boys teams of 17, 16, 15, 12, 9. The inclusion of the boys team is expected to pull in parents and families to travel to the games venue in Labasa.

Mr. Baya who is involved in the fundraiser said,

“the GSR sevens is not just to raise money but will help qoliqoli owners to come together to work towards the protection of their natural resources. Working to manage our qoliqoli has brought many of us together, from the inland villages and coastal villages for the first time. Some of us are visiting some qoliqoli villages for the first time as well.”

“When WWF started this project (MPA) in 2004, I was the only representative from the island of Mali. Today the number of representatives from Mali and other villagers has increased. These efforts are helping re-establish our traditional links.”

he said.

Other fundraising activities by the Qoliqoli committee includes- Honorary Qoliqoli Owners by Invitation, targeting $9,000.00, Connecting qoliqoli members living outside of Fiji (3), targeting $10,000.00 and Village based fund raising & dinner by invitation, targeting $42,000.00.

“Effort is being made to increase the communities’ involvement and participation in the management of their resources. The communities need to take ownership in protecting their natural resources starting with MPA projects.”

- Sanivalati Navuku, Project officer, WWF Fiji.

Fiji’s precious marine ecosystem is under attack from over fishing, unsustainable and destructive harvesting of live coral and exotic fish for aquariums, and increasing levels of pollution. Climate change is also playing its part in the degradation of the marine environment as warmer sea water.

In November 2005, seven chiefs of the province of Macuata launched the first of the country’s networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on the Great Sea Reef, the third largest barrier reef in the world. This came about as a result of the Great Sea Reef survey, a first in the area, conducted in 2004 with the support of WWF and partners, which highlighted its unique biodiversity.

WWF has witnessed the benefits of MPAs to biodiversity and marine resources and the people who rely on them around the world. Hence it is supporting the Government and the people of Fiji in the development and implementation of its commitment to have 30%of the country’s EEZ under MPAs by 2020. Together with FLMMA and other key organisations, WWF is facilitating policy dialogue, scientific research, community capacity building and financing.

Source: WWF Fiji

NAI'A DIVERS PIONEER THE WORLD'S LARGEST MPA

The adventurous urge of three humble NAI'A passengers initiated and inspired what is now the world's largest marine protected area. Thanks to the generous funding and tireless participation of Arizona's Kandy Kendall, Iowa's Bruce Thayer and California's Mary Jane Adams, NAI'A's first exploratory diving survey to Kiribati's Phoenix Islands archipelago in 2000 led to the sensational declaration last January of 410,500 square kilometers of conservation boundary around them– that's larger than Australia's Great Barrier Reef. We are more thrilled and grateful to these three individuals than words can properly express.

Conservation catalysts - Kandy Kendall and Bruce Thayer.

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area, or PIPA as it is commonly known, has grabbed mainstream media headlines all year in a brilliant coup for global marine protection boldly staged by one of the smallest, most threatened nations on the planet: The Republic of Kiribati. The details of the MPA are presented at www.phoenixislands.org

You may have already heard about the tenacious pursuit of the MPA by New England Aquarium's Dr Greg Stone and his team of scientists, the crucial endowment deal closed by Conservation International and the awarded environmental foresight of Kiribati President, Honorable Anote Tong. Phoenix's eight atolls and surrounding deep ocean are highlighted by National Geographic and nominated for World Heritage status. Probably you have read in NAI'A newsletters about our many expeditions there since 1997, first with TIGHAR looking for Amelia Earhart's remains, and then with divers and biologists completing the first underwater surveys. NAI'A is the only vessel with an intimate knowledge of this remarkable but remote coral archipelago.

But what most people don't know is that a handful of the most dedicated NAI'A divers started the whole PIPA ball rolling. Without their exploratory vision and trust in us, the Phoenix Islands would still be unheard of and exploited. Thank you, Kandy, Bruce and Mary Jane. You genuinely embody the famous words of anthropologist, Margaret Mead:

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

It began almost accidentally when Rob and Cat briefly glimpsed the overwhelmingly abundant fishlife of Nikumaroro while setting moorings during NAI'A's first Amelia Earhart search expedition with TIGHAR. The experience kept them awake at night for a couple of years until our friend and many-time NAI'A guest Kandy Kendall said,

I want to do something new and brave with NAI'A. Is there anywhere left to truly explore?

Kandy's substantial start-up funding of our goal to put marine scientists and experienced sport divers together to survey under the Phoenix Islands made our first 21-day excursion possible. Bruce Thayer and Mary Jane Adams leapt at the opportunity too, sponsoring and assisting the final three expert biologists of the survey team. Then Dr Craig Cook brought not only his diving knowledge but also his emergency medical skills to the party of explorers. And finally, Australian cameraman, Alex Morrison, donated his time and steady film-eye to document the expedition topside.

Watch the short film made about the PIPA project or read the Skin Diver magazine feature about the journey, Sharks on Prozac, Coral on Steriods.

Mary Jane summed up Phoenix 2000 beautifully:

It was an unforgettable experience and a major highlight of my 25 years of diving. When I signed up for the project, I hoped that we would discover at least a few good dive sites. The Phoenix Islands expedition exceeded my most optimistic expectations. Diving with New England Aquarium biologists greatly enriched my understanding of tropical reefs and their inhabitants. If I ever get this kind opportunity again I will grab it.

Mary Jane also joined NAI'A as reef invertebrate researcher for the 2002 Primal Ocean Project survey led this time by the now deeply committed New England Aquarium and Conservation International scientists and covered in National Geographic. Dr Greg Stone seized the baton of protection for Phoenix and ran with it. His energy, diplomacy and colleagues quickly transformed that hopeful NAI'A discovery tour into a ground-breaking global conservation vision which culminated in the 2006 declaration of PIPA and this year's expansion of the preservation zone to be the world's largest. It grew beyond our wildest dreams, as Bruce Thayer eloquently expresses.

It's been a long road? But my role in Phoenix is turning out to be one of the absolute high points of my life; a singular something that will be left behind when I've burped my final bubble.

We hope to do it all again in Central Fiji/Lomaiviti where, just as NAI'A divers discovered in Phoenix, something extraordinary is going on under the surface.