Waitabu Marine Park Blog

During the first week of March, Waitabu Village in Taveuni, Fiji, played host to a group of dedicated local marine lovers who came together to take part in the annual marine Survey. Waitabu Marine Park  has long since been a pioneering example of a successful locally managed Marine Protected Area (MPA). The communities of  Waitabu  and Bouma came together to protect their native fishing grounds in 1998. Their foresight and diligence allows visitors the opportunity to share in the beauty of the  Waitabu Marine Park . The week of marine activities included:   Large scale habitat and invertebrate species : The manta tow monitoring method is used for assessing broad-scale changes in reef cover due to cyclone damage, coral bleaching and outbreaks of the Crown-of-Thorns starfish. Fine scale invertebrate surveys : Timed search and measurements. Fine scale reef populations : Reef Check’ point and belt transects: A randomised technique to measure what is...

MARINE PARK RESERVES LINKS PARKS LINKS Namena Marine Reserve www.namena.org Waitabu Marine Park www.waitabu.org Bula Sharks Fiji www.saveourseas.com Beqa Adventures Divers www.fiji-sharks.com Coral Reef Alliance - Fiji Project www.coral.org Shark Foundation Fiji www.sharkfoundation.org Fiji Islands Travel Guide | DiveMe | Marine Reserve | Ocean Life

Come in LLMAs & MPAs What is an MPA? “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.” 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 tabu by traditional owners. And they are targeting for m...

ICE Student , Jimmy Yun, collecting Coconuts Institute for Cultural Ecology The Institute for Cultural Ecology was founded on the conviction that visits to exotic destinations imply a commitment to cultural sensitivity and environmental stewardship. Our programs match the interests, academic goals, and passions of the participant to premier host organizations and researchers. Once you connect with a place and its people, they become a part of you. Forever.

ICE Interns build and place 20 new fish houses at Waitabu

Island Spirit and The Honor Fiji Journey will be working in partnership to facilitate the Taveuni leg of the three-stop tall ship Volunteering journey around Fiji. Eights weeks will be spent travelling around Fiji on the Alvei and two of those will be spent on Taveuni locally known as 'Garden Island' at the beginning of July. Island Spirit  provide tailored eco holidays in Fiji combining island adventure, reef volunteering and true cultural immersion. They aim to give inspiring and fulfilling experiences through connecting guests with nature and engaging with local communities. 100% of profit generated goes back to the community and environmental initiatives in Taveuni. This partnership is a unique and one-off alliance which aims to promote conservation and tradition in Fiji. The Honor Fiji Journey  promotes stewardship of our mother ocean and joins the vision of the Pacific Renaissance to revive and preserve Indigenous life ways and our rich maritime traditions. A strong fo...

Congratulations to these guys! A BIG hotel chain based in Hong Kong and throughout the Asia region! Shangri-La Announces Sustainable Seafood Policy And Discontinuing Use Of All Shark Fin Products in 72 hotels and resorts 17 Jan 2012 Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts today announced its ‘Sustainable Seafood Policy’ including the commitment to cease serving shark fin in all of its operated restaurants as well as accepting new orders for shark fin products in banqueting with immediate effect. Future banquet bookings made prior to this date will be honoured as per the signed contractual agreement. At the same time, Shangri-La announced that it will phase out Bluefin tuna and Chilean sea bass in all its operated restaurants within the year. In December 2010 the company initiated the process with the removal of shark fin products from its restaurant menus. The new policy is a continuation of Shangri-La’s journey towards environmental support. The company launched its first CSR initiatives in 200...