Project update - Fiji Reef Conservation Project - March 2004
Added to website: 01 March 2004
Project Brief
Aim
The Fiji Coral Reef Conservation Project is a three-year project (2002-2005) 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
Ravinaki, Castaway Island, Mamanuca Islands, West Coast Viti Levu, Fiji.
CCC Partners
CCC is working at the invitation of and in partners with the Government of Fiji, local communities, the tourism sector and other groups.
Marine Science Programme
Baseline Surveys
Number and location of Surveys
Surveying was carried out on four sectors this month, with 3 surveys at Lau - resulting in its completion, 42 at Nuku, 24 at Malolo Outer Barrier, and 20 at a new sector: Sunflower.
Number of transects completed and opened
Reef Check
None done this month.
Interesting / Unusual Sightings
A very cool month for megafauna sightings, with large pods of dolphins seen on 4 occasions, twice at Nuku and twice at Malolo barrier, entertaining volunteers with jumping, spinning and riding our boat’s bow-wave. Several nurse sharks were seen during surveys, and seemed friendly this month, as well as the now common-place white-tip reef sharks !!
Highlight of the month personally was the sighting of a juvenile manta ray - only 1.5 metres - at Malolo Barrier. It circled overhead feeding, as we ascended to our safety stop, for over a minute. WOW!!
Environmental Awareness
Capacity Building/Training of Local Counterparts
Sarah Hamylton, Project Scientist and Peter Corson, Expedition Leader introduced Coral Cay’s workplan to the local communities in the Yasawas. The Nacula Tikina is made up of seven villages and approximately 3,500 people. Within those villages, there are a number of mataqalis, which make up the Yavosa. Nacula Island plays host to four villages- Nacula, Naisisili, Navotua and Malakati.
Naisisili is situated approximately 10 minutes walk away from Safe Landing. In this village there is only one Mataqali, the Natiacobe.
The Nacula Tikina Tourism Association, made up of local resort owners, has written a code of conduct outlining best practises for waste management, preservation of Fijian culture, protection of the environment, guest safety and care, education and training, communication and self improvement. The Yasawas Community Foundation was established in 1993 with an initial donation of $50,000. The Foundation was conceived as a means for guests visiting the Nacula Tikina to make a contribution to community capacity building in the local area. The Foundation supports initiatives in healthcare, education, infrastructure projects and for emergency help.
Acting as our spokesperson for the whole trip was Meli Bogileka, Development Coordinator of the Tikina, member of Nacula village and an Executive Committee member of the Tourism resource owners association (TROA). We also received help with the sevu sevu from Rocky and Tevita Volavola of Safe Landing and Poni, an employee of Turtle Island resort, representative from the Nacula Tikina Tourism Association (NTTA) and respected member of Navotua Village.
Education as Key: The Ratu Meli Memorial School:
On Thursday morning we visited the Ratu Meli Memorial School- a Primary School situated 10km South East of Safe Landing. We met the assistant Head Teacher (the Head was on the mainland) and offered to conduct some coral reef awareness sessions with the pupils. An environmental awareness programme had just been started, focusing on terrestrial ecosystems- namely reforestation. The Malolo District School Programme was outlined and he was keen for us to integrate something similar into his existing syllabus. The school committee are scheduled to meet next Tuesday and Meli said he would raise our proposal as an agenda item. He was keen for CCC representatives to visit the school once we have established our project up there.
