By: Tiarana Mitchell
We arrived at Lawaki Beach House, an almost hidden paradise in one corner of the island of Beqa.
With all our gear in hand, we stepped off the boat onto the small stretch of beach, welcomed by the local staff from neighboring villages (the resorts dogs included).
…Lawaki Beach House Intern Fieldwork: Coral Reef SurveysRead More »
Lawaki Beach House Intern Fieldwork: Coral Reef Surveys Read More »
We ran a Reef Check EcoDiver course for 2 interns here at Marine Ecology Consulting in Suva, Fiji.
Our 2020 interns, Taitusi Dradra and Tiarana Mitchell started with two days in the office where Helen covered the ID lectures and exam, before heading out on the boat KITE to complete 2 full Reef Check surveys on the reefs of Suva.
…Reef Check EcoDiver Certification with interns in FijiRead More »
Reef Check EcoDiver Certification with interns in Fiji Read More »
Just in December last year (2018) we have scientifically confirmed that we have both types of mantas in Fiji waters, both Reef Manta Ray ( Mobula alfredi) and Oceanic Manta Ray (Mobula birostris).
…Mantas in Fiji – Mobula alfredi & Mobula birostrisRead More »
Mantas in Fiji – Mobula alfredi & Mobula birostris Read More »
Found in tropical oceans, corals are important reef builders that secrete calcium carbonate to form coral reefs. Corals live in a mutualistic relationship with symbiotic algae, which use sunlight to produce food for corals and get shelter in return. Under stress, such as elevated seawater temperatures for prolonged periods, corals can start to bleach.
…Snapshot of the 2019 coral bleaching in Fiji Read More »
This report, the Mangrove Management Plan 2013 (MMP2013), has been prepared by Dr Dick Watling, Environment Consultants Fiji (ECF) for the Department of the Environment (DoEnv) as the focal point for the Mangrove Eco Systems for Climate Change Adaptation and Livelihood project Project (MESCAL).
…Mangrove Management Plan for Fiji 2013 (MMP2013) Read More »
Reef Surveys have been carried out at two sites (the Great White Wall on the outer face, and the back of Blue Ribbon Eel Reef / Jerry’s Jelly on the inside of the Rainbow Reef) in the Somosomo Straits since 2002, with the exception of 2005 (Rainbow Reef only), 2008 (no surveys), and 2015 – 2017 (no surveys due to poor weather and time constraints).
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I’m getting some reports of 2019 Coral Bleaching from some parts of Fiji and thought I’d put a few simple facts out there.
Hope this helps a little! Helen
…Note on 2019 Coral Bleaching in the South PacificRead More »
Note on 2019 Coral Bleaching in the South Pacific Read More »
The Status and Trends of Coral Reefs of the Pacific 2017 Report by Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network has been completed, and was launched by UN Environment and SPREP on 27 September 2018 during the 6th National Report Technical Support Regional Workshop held on campus in Apia, Samoa.
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This report outlines the process undertaken to define and describe the special, unique marine areas of Fiji. SUMA
These special, unique marine areas provide an important input to decisions about, for example, permits, licences, EIAs and where to place different types of marine protected areas, locally managed marine areas and Community Conservation Areas in Fiji.
…Sykes H, Le Grand J, Davey K, Kirmani SN, Mangubhai S, Yakub N, Wendt H, Gauna M, Fernandes L (2018) Biophysically special, unique marine areas of Fiji (SUMA). MACBIO (GIZ, IUCN, SPREP), Wildlife Conservation Society and Fiji’s Protected Area Committee (PAC); Suva.
Biophysically Special, Unique Marine Areas Of Fiji – SUMARead More »
Biophysically Special, Unique Marine Areas Of Fiji – SUMA Read More »
Coral reefs are ancient, living organisms, which have seen and adapted to many changes over millions of years.
It’s one of the oddities of the human race that we expect natural systems to be constant, but as the climate and environment alter, so do reefs around the world, and those in Fiji are no exception.
As you travel around Fiji you will soon come to realise that there are many types of reefs – spectacular hard coral walls, colourful soft coral bommies, dramatic and spooky rocky passages, rubble patches filled with weird and wonderful critters.
What you may not realise is that these reefs change year by year, react to pressures in many different ways, grow and adapt like any other natural ecosystem.
…Baby Corals Everywhere! Read More »
