Useful Info

True jellyfish have an open bell or hood – the main body shaped like an umbrella, with lots of tentacles or arms coming out of the bottom, where the handle of the umbrella would be.

While all jellyfish can sting, most are not powerful enough to hurt a human for more than 15 – 20 minutes.

The stings are only in the tentacles, not the bell (or body), which are quite short, so some larger jellyfish can safely be pushed out of the way as long as you only touch the bell.

Comb jellies and salps are shaped more like a closed bag or balloon, with no tentacles or sometimes with only two, they DO NOT HAVE STINGS and are totally harmless.

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A quick guide to Marine Stingers in Fiji and First Aid for those Marine Stings…Read More »

The DAN (Divers Alert Network) Hazardous Marine Life Medical Reference Book is highly regarded as a practical, comprehensive guide for identifying and treating injuries from marine life.

Edited by experts like Dr. Paul Auerbach, it offers concise, actionable first aid and medical information designed to be used by divers, dive professionals, and medical personnel to manage stings, bites, and punctures. 

This book is a highly recommended addition to any diver’s library, particularly those exploring tropical, high-diversity environments. 

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Hazardous Marine Life Medical Reference Book – Diver Alert NetworkRead More »

Depth affects the population dynamics on a soft coral?dominated reef on the Great White Wall, Fiji

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Depth affects the population dynamics on a soft coral dominated reef on the Great White Wall, FijiRead More »

Suva, Fiji – June 3, 2024: A seasonal ban by Fiji’s Ministry of Fisheries on fishing for Kawakawa and Donu, two highly valued grouper species, has commenced on June 1st and will run until September 30th.

This initiative is part of a critical management approach aimed at safeguarding these species during their peak breeding season to prevent overfishing and ensure the sustainability of Fiji’s marine ecosystem.

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Seasonal Ban on Kawakawa and Donu: Protecting Fiji’s Vital Marine Resources – June – September EVERY YEARRead More »

Some exciting new fish and marine life guides have been recently published, which will be useful for dive and snorkel operators, students and science professionals alike.

These can be ordered directly from the publishers on-line, printed to order, details and prices below. If you prefer to buy in Fiji, contact Helen@marineecologyfiji, as we do hold a few extras here.

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Some exciting new fish and marine life guides have been recently publishedRead More »

Until the revision of the genus Manta in 2009, when a second manta species (Manta alfredi) was resurrected based on morphological and meristic data, all available records in Fijian literature were recorded as Manta birostris, or commonly as the oceanic manta rays. Subsequently, documented sightings were recorded as M. alfredi.

Another reclassification of the genus Manta was undertaken in 2018 when both manta ray species (Manta alfredi, Manta birostris)
were moved to Mobula based on phylogenetic analysis.

Here, we present the first unequivocal evidence of oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) occurrence in Fijian waters.

Luke Gordon & Tom Vierus

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First photographic evidence of oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) at two locations in FijiRead More »

Abstract

Coral reef ecosystems are seriously threatened by changing conditions in the ocean.

Although many factors are implicated, climate change has emerged as a dominant and rapidly growing threat.

Developing a long-term strategic plan for the conservation of coral reefs is urgently needed yet is complicated by significant uncertainty associated with climate change impacts on coral reef ecosystems.

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50 Reefs Project: Fiji is recognised as having 2 of 50 reefs across the globe identified with the potential to resist and adjust to climate changeRead More »