News - Page 2 of 2 - The Great Fiji Shark Count

Shark in the flood – Fiji Times – 6th Feb 2012

AS some rushed around in the frolic of fun and others in the frantic of safety during the flash floods that hit a fortnight ago, there was a silent fight for survival in the muddy, murky waters of Nadi.

Under the brown rush that tore through the banks of the Nadi River flooding the jet-set town and nearby suburbs and sending thousands for the safety of high and dry ground ù came the little sharks.

They, like some of those unfortunate to have been caught and swept away at the height of the flood in Nadi after a torrent of 292mm of rainwater (24 hours from 9am January 24th to 9am January 25th), desperately fought the raging flood currents that have slowly eroded the riverbanks over the years.

So when one fought its way through the force of nature to the calmer floodwaters in the suburbs, and was found dead when it couldn’t get food in its new concrete and grassy environment, there was a lot of excitement and pain.More info here…

Sharks have little friends: Fiji Times 9th Feb 2012

SHARK conservation around the country is gaining momentum with students adopting the once feared predator as their “friend”.

Sharkman Manoa Rasigatale, the veteran campaigner who has been visiting schools and villages in the three confederacies since April last year, said more people were becoming aware of the importance of sharks to our reef system and supported efforts to turn Fiji’s waters into a shark sanctuary.

“The children are the best listeners. They are our future and now understand better the value of sharks alive than dead,” he said.

“Everywhere I go, children of all ages share one thing ù that even though they may have feared them, they now regard sharks with more respect and friendship.

“That has been one of my greatest satisfaction, to plant the seed of conservation and help shape the thoughts of children to protect one of our greatest resources.

“Their response has been tremendous. They really want to participate in the conservation themselves.”More info here…

Matava is the Grand Diamond prize @ The Happy Hearts Love Sharks Wedding Contest

Calling all eco-conscious couples – how would you like a honeymoon in a certified eco-resort in stunning Fiji?

Courtesy of our fabulous grand prize sponsors, Air Pacific and Matava, we are thrilled to offer a grand prize which includes

Return international flights, for 2 people, from Hong Kong to Fiji’s Nadi airport*
Return domestic flight transfers, for 2 people, from Nadi to Kadavu island*
Return boat transfers from Kadavu airport to Matava, Fiji’s premier eco-adventure resort*
6 night’s accommodation in an oceanview bure at Matava
8 dives (4 x 2-tank morning dives) for two with Mad Fish Dive Centre, Matava’s on site PADI 5 Star Dive Centre and unlimited all day shore diving at The Critter Junction (NB. For non-divers, scuba diving package can be exchanged for other resort activities)
Traditional Lovo Feast and Kava ceremony
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, unlimited tea/coffee)
All taxes for food/accommodation at Matava*

Winners must pay taxes and surcharges for flights. Availability for the grand prize flights and accommodation package will be subject to blackout dates to be confirmed in the winner’s Grand Diamond Prize confirmation letter.

Enter contest now!

Calling all sophisticated bridal couples! By making your wedding shark-free, you can show respect to both your guests and our oceans as well as earning the opportunity to win a fabulous prize! Enter the Happy Hearts Love Sharks – Hong Kong wedding contest now.…More info here…

Ma’afu Marine Lecture Series: Helen Sykes on Shark Conservation in Fiji

Bula Friends and Colleagues !!

Representing the Coral Reef Alliance and the Pew Environment Foundation, Helen Sykes has kindly offered to talk this week about shark conservation in Fiji. Lecture participants will have the opportunity to watch the 30 min documentary film “Shark Hope”, which has just recently been launched in Fiji.

After the film there will be a chance to ask questions on the subject and pick up some Shark Sanctuary campaign materials.Helen will also share information about the Great Fiji Shark Count, a tourism-based initiative planned for April 2012 by a group of volunteer organizations.More info here…

Why do hammerheads have hammer heads?

By Cara Hodgson

Sharks are one of the increasingly rare organisms seen on coral reefs. They have been eliminated from many reefs due to demand for their fins to make shark fin soup, a Chinese delicacy. In 2011, there were some big “wins” for sharks with shark finning and trading banned in several areas. Because shark sightings are now so rare just about everywhere, Reef Checkers are asked to record any sharks during their dives – even of those observed off of the transects.

One type of shark has always held a fascination as a kind of prehistoric-looking oddity that one might think was dreamed up by a Hollywood horror filmmaker – not a result of millions of years of evolution. This is the hammerhead shark. A related shark is the bonnethead – with a head shaped more like a shovel.

Looking at the wide separation between the hammerhead’s eyes, and the flat surface of the head, one wonders about the evolutionary advantage of this design?

Several hypotheses explaining the evolution of the hammerhead shark’s head – called a “cephalofoil” – have been proposed.More info here…

Project AWARE full ahead on Shark conservation in 2012

“The good news is, we know from experience, when we do the work, the ocean and its wildlife can be restored”

Roger McManus, IUCN and Project AWARE board member

Overfishing. Finning. Endangered. These are all words that we should not have to associate with global shark species.

More info here…

Throughout the months of April and November every year, you have the opportunity to help celebrate and record Fiji’s amazing coral reef biodiversity, show you care about our world’s delicate coral reef systems, and have fun, by taking part in the FIJI-WIDE SHARK COUNT!

Easy to do, this is suitable for visitors and locals alike, whether you like to fish, snorkel, or SCUBA dive. We hope that tourists, school children, scientists and all people with an interest in the marine environment will take to the reefs with us to search for the Sharks of Fiji!

The Great Fiji Shark Count will be held across Fiji every April and November every year.

You can do a single count, or take part as many times as you like during that month, so that you cover different reefs. All data will be gratefully accepted!

So, see your resort, watersports operator or travel agent, get your Shark identification materials and dive into the beautiful blue waters of Fiji, to be a part of history!