Posts

Showing posts from July, 2008

Wake up and see the beautiful sunrise

‘Wake up and see the beautiful sunrise over the marine park as the start of every new day begins in Waitabu’ Eli (Committee Member) Waitabu Marine Park » Welcome to the Waitabu Marine Park

Waitabu at the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS)

Image
The International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) , is the Olympics of Coral Reef Science! The International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS): The world's major coral reef science meeting, the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) , is held every 4 years. The sanctioning organization is the International Society of Reef Studies . The ICRS is devoted to the best reef science available, with the purpose of sharing scientific findings with government agencies, resource management, and non-government organizations throughout the world. Previous ICRS have been held in Okinawa (2004), Bali (2000), Panama (1996), Guam (1992), Australia (1988), Tahiti (1985), the Philippines (1980), Miami (1977), Australia (1974), and the 1st ICRS in India (1969). Waitabu was proud to have been presented at the ICRS as a poster by Helen SYKES and Kenneth MACKAY. Changes in The Coral Reef Populations Within A Community Managed Marine Protected Area in The Fiji Islands Summary Annual biological monitor

Websites opened for marine protected areas | X-Ray International Dive Magazine

Image
Source: The Fiji Times Online | 07-10-2008 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. Source: The Fiji Times Online Websites opened for marine protected areas | X-Ray International Dive Magazine

Waitabu Marine Park and Campground Fiji Islands Taveuni

Image
The Waitabu Marine Park was established in 1998 in an agreement of over 7 Fijian communities not to fish or anchor in the 1 km of selected fringing reef. Aside from the small tourism business this Marine Protected Area (MPA) has for the community of Waitabu , who owns and operates it , it has also provided a first hand example of the power of conservation, generating larger fish catches and increased bio diversity in the surrounding waters The Waitabu Marine Park offers 2 guided tours. the " Cultural Experience Tour " with a "Bilibili" ride (traditional raft), a guided snorkelling tour with tea and refreshments while being serenaded by local musicians they also offer a "Backpackers Tour" with a guided boat trip and guided snorkeling trips. Waitabu Marine Park and Campground Fiji Islands Taveuni

Websites opened for marine protected areas - Fiji Times Online

Image
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 a

Beauty under water - Fiji Times Online

Image
Sunday, June 01, 2008 ALUMECI NAKEKE A survey team includes villagers from Waitabu who are trained to monitor the tabu area TWENTY years ago villagers of Waitabu on the north eastern coast of Taveuni would never a give a second thought about their reefs or what dwelled on their shores. They walked on the reefs breaking the corals and took home whatever they could eat no matter how small. There was heavy seaweed growth because there was no more fish to feed on it. The state of the Waitabu Village coast was so pathetic that at first sight, Helen Sykes, a marine ecologist , had no hope it could return to its natural state and refused when approached by the community to set up a marine protected area ( MPA ) or tabu on their fishing ground. But with the community's continual persistence Ms Sykes agreed. As the project began, the community was constantly reminded that once the tabu was in place, they were to respect it. They were taught not to disturb the area by taking boats through t