Mangroves for Fiji - Industry Leadership

Over the past three years we have said a lot about Da Shark and his operation in Fiji.

Industry leadership comes in many forms. Getting out ahead of the pack with smart ideas and front running initiatives are the hallmarks of leadership.

Beqa Adventure Divers are one of those companies where leadership comes naturally and today revealed their latest project in Fiji.

Carbon sequestering is a major issue facing the planet right now, and while multi national companies like GE are looking at high tech solutions, millions of years ago the planet came up with a few of her own. In the process provided shark nurseries, habitat, and a natural buffer against hurricanes.

The lowly Mangrove.

Easy to propagate, simple to plant, and the planets ultimate natural Carbon sequestering device.

This effort has our full support because it makes sense on many different levels. Mangrove habitat has been reduced worldwide to coastal development and aquaculture.

This initiative just might help stem the tide when the realization that Mangroves will provide a reduction in carbon footprints to commercial interests along with many other benefits ranging from fish stocks to coastal stabilization.

Starting with Fiji and a commercial shark diving company.

Kudos.

The Bull Shark Tagging Programme - Fiji!

From Da Shark in Fiji. His operation remains a world leader in shark conservation initiatives.

Da Shark

This is Juerg's poster for his presentation at Sharks International.

The Program comprises much more than tagging only.

Over the years, it has naturally evolved into a multi-faceted project exploring all the different facets of what we do here in Fiji, from trying to answer strictly biological and conservation-oriented questions to optimizing our procedures in view of always improving safety but also, reducing our impact on the animals and the reef. This has already led to the publication of several papers, with more in the pipeline.

As always, it is work in progress and subject to change as we gain new insights.
This is such a time where we are re-defining our priorities and formulating new initiatives, some of which will surprise, and hopefully, excite you.

Keep watching this space!

Shark Revolution - Great Shark Idea

Hats off (once again) to the Da Shark over at Beqa in Fiji for introductions to the Shark Revolution website.

What is the Shark Revolution?

Shark Revolution is a communication project done by Nature online aisbl, an International non profit organization. The objective of this project is to re-establish the reality of our species and to propose a truce to regulate the relationship between our two communities.

We have decided to take the initiative so that you can see what our day to day life is like.

Our website will follow our adventure. We will produce a black and white photographic exhibition. An artistic book in black and white with the best photos of our encounters. We will produce books with children’s stories with the most representative elements of our life.

More here.

No Caught Shark Allowed - Matava leading the Shark Free Marina Initiative in Fiji

Matava and Bite Me Gamefishing Charters in Fiji are taking a leading role in the international shark conservation efforts, organizing Fiji to become the first country to fully participate in the Shark-Free Marina Initiative (SFMI).

The SFMI works with marinas, boaters and fishermen to develop policy designed to protect sharks as a vital component of the oceans health. The SFMI has a singular purpose, to reduce worldwide shark mortality. Working with marinas, fishermen and like minded non-profit groups, the Initiative forms community conscious policy and increase awareness of the need to encourage shark conservation.

Shark Free Marinas work with, not against, the recreational and commercial fishing community, in order to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy shark population for our oceans, and to contribute to their ongoing survival.

Matava, together with partners in Fiji, has helped many marinas and charter fishing boats become SFMI certified, and Fiji now has more certified Shark-Free Marinas than any other country in the world. Stuart Gow, Director of Matava, said that his team has been actively promoting the SFMI, and distributing information about the Initiative, with the long-term goal of making Fiji “the first country to be proud to announce itself as a ‘Shark-Free Marinas’ Country”.

See the map of current Shark-Free Marinas

The majority of shark species caught by recreational and sport anglers are currently listed by the IUCN as “Threatened” (or worse) and each year, half a million of these sharks are killed in the US alone. It is estimated that 70-100 million sharks are killed yearly worldwide.

See IUCN Red List of Threatened Shark Species

About Matava

Matava is an eco adventure getaway in Fiji, offering a unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the pristine and remote island of Kadavu, Fiji. Matava is a PADI Dive Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator, a title awarded to demonstrate a commitment to conservation and provide customers with experiences that enhance visitor awareness, appreciation and understanding of the environment. Matava is also one of the supporters of the Fiji Shark Conservation and Awareness Project, which aims to raise global awareness of their imminent extinction of sharks and the crises facing our oceans.

With more than 12 years experience in the Fiji Islands, Matava is recognized as a leading educational dive center. Matava is participating in TIES ecoDestinations project (currently featuring “beaches, marine and coastal ecotourism experience”) as one of the Summer Special 2009 sponsors.

Underwater Thrills:Swimming With Sharks: “No Caught Shark Allowed”: Matava leading the Shark Free Marina Initiative in Fiji

Fiji - Evolving Shark Tourism

Shark tourism is a $300 million dollar worldwide industry. Done right, shark tourism has long lasting positive effects on local economies, shark conservation, and regional fisheries.

Fiji has been at the forefront of the evolution of commercial shark diving thanks to the tireless efforts of a few industry visionaries who pushed for change.

Worldwide, shark tourism efforts run the complete spectrum from "business only models" where the sharks are the subject of for profit enterprise, to a newer breed of operation that includes shark research, conservation and outreach.

Change to any industry comes slowly and is lead by risk takers and industry movers.

As a template for sites like Tiger Beach, Bahamas the set aside Shark Reef Marine Reserve Fiji model is in need a few regional champions.

Welcome to industry change.

Welcome to Fiji (click image)