February Update - Fiji Marine Project 2005
Added to website: 01 February 2005
Project Brief
Aim
The Fiji Coral Reef Conservation Project is a six-year project (2002-2008) to survey coral reefs of the Mamanuca Islands, the Yasawa Islands and other areas of Fiji. The programme provides training and conservation education opportunities for local Fijians, as part of an integrated programme to develop local capacity and ensure the long-term protection and sustainable use of marine resources throughout the region.
Location
CCC Partners
CCC is working at the invitation of and in partnership with the Government of Fiji, local communities, the Mamanuca Environment Society, the tourism sector and other groups.
Marine Science Programme
Baseline Surveys
Number and location of surveys
Number of transects completed - None
Reef Check
None
Interesting / Unusual Sightings
Rays have been a regular sighting this month with a vast amount of blue spotted rays on house and the occasional one at Vakeleciri, together with common rays on house and Sunflower, eagle rays on house, Charlies and Honeymoon. Topping it all off a huge Manta ray was spotted as the volunteers plunged into the water at Ed’s Diner. To no surprise numerous white tips, black tips and grey reef sharks have been spotted at Supermarket, as well as making frequent appearances at Vakeleciri. White tips have also been seen at Vatu Yali and on house, with black tips at Ikabazaar, house and feeding in the shallows of Chief’s beach.
Only two turtles have been sited this month at both Ikabazaar and Ed’s diner, and a couple of humphead wrasse have been seen at Vatu Yali and juveniles on house. The highlight of the month was the pod of 50 dolphins!
Environmental Awareness
The ongoing process of teaching at local schools continued this month with the Environment programme at the Malolo District School, Solevu, Malolo Island. The Environment Programme is a collaborative teaching effort between MES (Mamanuca Environment Society) and CCC. The programme will run for 13 weeks with a two hour session scheduled every week. Building on past lessons, the children of class 7 (Age 12) have been taught about the coastal zone. They learned of the many connections and interactions between upland forests, mangrove systems, sea grass beds and coral reefs. Basic coral biology.
The process of setting up permanent Reef Check sites, in conjunction with MES (Mamanuca Environment Society), continues. This is part of a long-term project, which started back in June with a series of workshops held for the island and mainland Dive Operators working in the Mamanuca region. The aim was to educate the staff in coral reef biology and ecology, and best practice with regards to activities involving coral reefs. The overall aim of these workshops was to teach the simple Reef Check survey technique, and then choose some representative sites in the Mamanuca region for the Dive Operators to take responsibility for and survey on an annual basis. The data from these surveys is to be submitted to MES who can then analyse the data and compile an annual report on the status of the Mamanucas.
Understandably, activities have slowed down this month due to the distraction of Christmas. A full programme of community activities will recommence in February.
Coral Coast Project
The Coral Coast team has now completed all surveys in the Serua District. Surveys are now being extended East of Sigatoka towards Nadi. We continue to be assisted in our surveys by past scholarship students and members of the Institute of Applied Sciences in Suva. Recently members of Korolevu i wai Tikina were presented with the data it was agreed that a series of bilingual posters would be produced to help the local land owners make educated decisions about the management of their fishing grounds.
Yasawas Project
We anticipate the reopening of the Yasawas project soon.
