Results - The Great Fiji Shark Count

Tourism-driven ocean science for sustainable use: A case study of sharks in Fiji

Pre-print of new paper available, a case study of sharks in Fiji , based on the results of the Great Fiji Shark Count.

Results of Three Years of the Great Fiji Shark Count, April 2015

Over the past 3 years, dive operators across Fiji & their diving & snorkelling guests have been recording their Shark, Ray & Turtle sightings over the months of April & November. Thanks to those dedicated divers, we now have some interesting facts to share about Shark populations in Fiji.

More info here…

Results on Feeding (Baited) Dives ~ 3 years ~ 2012-2013-2014

Average Numbers of animals seen per dive during each count

Shark numbers were ten times more than seen on non-feed dives.

Overall populations appear to be increasing slightly.

Many of the baited feeding dives in Fiji involve large numbers of Bull Sharks which are known to have seasonal breeding patterns, reflected in lower shark numbers every November and higher numbers every April.

Ray and Turtle sightings on the feed sites are infrequent, and numbers generally low.More info here…

Results on Non-Feeding Dives ~ 3 years ~ 2012-2013-2014

Average Numbers of animals per dive during each count

Over the years, across Fiji, divers have seen an average of 1.22 to 2.03 Sharks on every dive, plus one Ray and one Turtle every 5 to 10 dives.

Shark sightings varied year by year, but the general trend appears stable or slightly increasing.

Ray and Turtle sightings appear to be very stable.More info here…

April 2012 Preliminary Great Fiji Shark Count results

Preliminary results of the Great Fiji Shark Count, April 2012

In the month of April, 3,693 divers recorded their shark sightings during 855 dives.

The average diver had done 458 dives in Fiji (many were local divemasters), indicating that their observations were very reliable.

During those dives, 12,073 shark sightings, of 11 species, were recorded, plus 5 species of ray, and 2 species of turtles.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!