Jetsettersblog

In an effort to build awareness and to combat the destruction of its lush tropical marine landscape and spectacular coral reefs (Fiji is the soft coral capital of the world), many of Fiji’s top resorts, retailers, travel operators and environmental societies have teamed up and launched proactive environmentally-conscious initiatives, making the Pacific Island destination one of the most unspoiled visitor vacation destinations in the South Pacific.

Regional Director of the Americas for Tourism Fiji Ili Matatolu commented: “Fiji’s top travel partners across the board have made a great attempt to preserve an ecosystem rich in sea life and tropical foliage for future generations.”

For example, Beqa Adventure Dive located in Pacific Harbor has worked closely with the government of Fiji and the owners of “Shark Reef” to have it designated as a protected Marine Park. Featuring up to eight regular species of sharks and close to 300 different species of fish, Beqa Adventure Divers has been hailed as “The best shark dive in the world” by shark diving pioneers, Ron and Valerie Taylor.

Divers who visit the area can witness blacktip reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks, tawny nurse sharks, sicklefin lemon sharks, bull sharks and the occasional tiger shark.

Bull sharks have a worldwide distribution in coastal and freshwater habitats with frequent sightings in some areas, yet many aspects of their behavior and ecology remain a mystery. With a lack of knowledge about local population structures, reproduction sites and the migratory routes to and from these areas, it has been impossible to draw up any meaningful conservation plans.

An international team of scientists works around the clock to monitor Shark Reef in order to better understand the bull shark population of Shark Reef Marine Reserve, with the aim of learning more about this endangered species in hopes of contributing to their long-term survival.

Information: www.fiji-sharks.com

Mana Island Resort in the Mamanuca Group has embarked on a new coral planting project in hopes of regenerating life in their coral reefs that have been severely affected by crown of thorns starfish infestations, recent cyclones, coral bleaching and sedimentation.

The program, initiated in December 2008, involves the transplantation of corals onto the affected areas of the reef where live coral cover is at a minimum. The reefs of the Mamanuca region have been under stress for a long time. Most are still in recovery from a major coral bleaching disaster in 2000 and a crown of thorns outbreak that followed in 2005. Global temperature rise, pollution, inadequate waste disposal systems, unsustainable development practices, careless execution of water sports activities, unsustainable use of marine resources and careless boating all contribute to added trauma for the reefs.

Information: www.manfiji.com

Mamanuca Environment Society (MES) in Fiji celebrated World Environment Day with Malolo District School and Namamanuca Primary School. The students performed skits, gave speeches, wrote essays and drew posters that were inspired by the theme “Your planet needs you, unite to combat climate change.” To kick off the event, MES gave a brief speech on climate change and its effects, evidence of climate change in Fiji and the Pacific and ways in which we can all contribute to combating climate change.

The day was filled with activities for the students that included the planting of 50 seedlings in the community and awards for the best student performances, essays and artwork.

Conservation efforts at the resort level are evolutionary, not revolutionary. This means the Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort located in Savusavu is constantly refining well-established initiatives and procedures, such as recycling biological and non-biological matter and composting.

The giant clam project has been underway for years to restock and repopulate these vulnerable coral reef dwellers. The world’s largest living bivalve mollusk, giant clams can weigh more than 500 lbs. and have an average lifespan in the wild of over 100 years. Because the giant clams are considered a delicacy throughout the Pacific, they have become over-harvested and increasingly scarce. The resort has acquired new clams and now has 50 in total, near the resort dock and in the bay. When the clams reach a certain size, they are moved to remote areas. In this way, by husbanding these resources and educating the locals, over-fishing of these shellfish is minimized and new stock is reintroduced to the reef systems. For more information, visit www.fijiresort.com

For more information on Fiji’s Islands green initiatives, contact Tourism Fiji at 310-568-1616, email infodesk@bulafiji-americas.com  or visit www.fijime.com