Project update - Fiji Reef Conservation Project - June 2004
Added to website: 01 June 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
Number of transects completed and opened
Reef Check
No Reef Check surveys undertaken this month.
Interesting / Unusual Sightings
Saw our first frogfish at Inner Barrier during a survey, Reef sharks have been spotted everywhere this month, a nurse shark at Rainbow, and some dolphins on the way to a survey at Outer Barrier.
Environmental Awareness
Capacity Building/Training of Local Counterparts
Dive Operator Workshops
This month has seen the inauguration of the Mamanucas Dive Operators Reef Check Network, another collaborative effort between Mamanuca Environment Society (MES) and CCC. The primary aim of the network is to set up permanent Reef Check sites for the Mamanucas, so that once CCC leave the area, the condition of the reefs is still monitored. In addition to this, the workshops aimed to bring dive operators working in the Mamanucas together in one room to talk amongst themselves about environmental issues affected by and affecting their businesses. The first 3 workshops (out of 4) for the Dive Operators Network were held this month. Dive Operators diving in the Mamanucas were divided into those working from the mainland, and those working from the islands, with a separate workshop held weekly for each group.
Topics covered by the workshops included: discussion of fish feeding on reefs and how it could be controlled (and reduced), the installation of environmentally-friendly mooring buoys at the most popular dive sites in the Mamanucas (to minimise damage of the reefs by boats and anchors), monitoring numbers of divers visiting the most popular dive sites in the area, and of course introduction to and training in the Reef Check survey technique. Attendance at the first week was relatively low, but enthusiasm and participation has increased throughout the course of the workshops as the word spreads. So far the concept has been quite a success, particularly for giving the dive operators the chance to meet and discuss environmental issues, something which was not happening before.
Solevu school trip
The Coral Reef Awareness education programme conducted last term for Class 7 at the Malolo District School, Solevu, was rounded off with one final session this month. Castaway Island Resort very kindly agreed to the loan of their glass bottom reef viewing boat for one morning, and so we were able to take the children out to see their own reef underwater. The morning was a great way to round off the course for the children, and provided much excitement for them! Everyone received a certificate signed by their headmaster (Master Sowane Waqanidrola) and by CCC as a lasting reminder of their participation in and hard work towards the course.
