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.

I trust that most of you will know Helen for many years.

For those who have not yet worked with her, Helen has more than twenty years of experience working in the marine environment in the Caribbean, Central America, and the South Pacific, and has been working as a marine biologist and consultant in Fiji since 1997.

She has played a central role in the development of marine management strategies and sustainable tourism initiatives in Fiji, and has authored numerous publications on the subjects. Helen has also been instrumental in the development of the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas Network, and has served on its executive committee and biological monitoring working group since its formation.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/jD2tszG-jzA]

Please share this invitation widely with your marine conservation friends and colleagues, we look forward to see you this Wednesday in Ma’afu street,

Vinaka Vakalevu,

Jan H. STEFFEN

Regional Marine Program Coordinator

IUCN Oceania Office

Private Mail Bag

5 Ma’afu Street

Suva, FIJI

Ph +679 – 331 9084

Fax +679 – 310 0128

www.iucn.org/oceania

Time: February 1, 2012 from 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Location: Veitiri Conference Room, IUCN Office
Street: 5 Ma’afu Street
City/Town: Suva
Website or Map: http://coral.org./fijisharks
Phone: 331 9084
Event Type: lecture
Organized By: IUCN Oceania Office

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!