New NAI'A Family?

Twenty-five years ago we launched NAI’A in Fiji and she quickly became one of the most well-respected liveaboard dive boats ever. We had a magnificent time exploring Fiji and beyond and we got to know thousands of keen divers, many of whom have become good friends. We raised our family in a beautiful, stimulating and safe environment. But now the NAI’A family is ready for new challenges.

Cat’s and my girls are just beginning their teenage odyssey while Todd and Alexx’s kids are well and truly launched and building their own lives in Fiji. After such a glorious run with NAI’A, it pains us to offer her for sale, but we realize that she, her crew and her many return passengers would all benefit from the energy and vision of a new NAI’A family. If you or your adult children or friends are considering a sea change, this is an opportunity to step into an exciting and profitable turn-key business in a gorgeous, peaceful nation in the South Pacific.

We rebuilt the ship in Suva in 1992 and again in 2010 and have operated her in Fiji ever since. A strong Dutch-built steel ship, NAI’A has proven herself as Fiji’s ultimate liveaboard experience but her success is even broader. She’s already voyaged to the Kingdom of Tonga for 21 extremely popular humpback whale swim seasons. She did the first exploratory expeditions to the Phoenix Islands and has been back several times to support the World Heritage Marine Protected Area we kick-started there. We have also dived Vanuatu and New Caledonia on our extended adventure itineraries.

NAI’A is well respected in the liveaboard scuba diving niche. The company is profitable and always has been despite the many obstacles the world has thrown out. We have forward bookings for Fiji into 2020 and our whale swim charters in Tonga are full through 2021. NAI’A is at the top of her game. If you are intrigued by the possibilities, please contact me for more information.

Best fishes,

Rob Barrel, founder   
Todd and Alexx Edwards, co-founders  
NAI’A Fiji
rob@naia.com.fj 

Brunei To Curb Commercial Fishing Amid Dwindling Marine Stocks

April 13, 2007 — By Associated Press

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei -- Brunei will impose a moratorium on commercial fishing in coastal waters starting January 2008 following a plunge in fish stocks, an official said.

Only small-scale, individual fishing will be permitted until marine resources recover to sustainable levels in waters known as Zone 1, which covers 3 nautical miles (4.8 kilometers) from Brunei's shoreline, Fisheries Department officer Ranimah Abdul Wahab said Thursday.

According to Fisheries Department statistics, fish stocks in this tiny sultanate on Borneo island fell 43 percent between 1980 and 2000. The worst affected area was Zone 1, where waters are as much as 50 meters (165 feet) deep. No current data was available.

Brunei has a coastline stretching 130 kilometers (80 miles). Its sea territory spans 38,600 square kilometers (14,900 square miles) with fishing areas separated into four zones.

The country has one of Southeast Asia's highest rates of per capita fish consumption, and has to import about 50 percent of its fish needs to supplement local fishing.

Each resident consumes an average of 45 kilograms (100 pounds) of fish per year, resulting in an annual national demand of 15,500 metric tons (17,000 U.S. tons), according to government data.

Source: Associated Press