Using the data you have helped gather, we will not only be able to map Shark distribution and abundance in Fiji for the first time, but because Sharks are Apex Predators and vital to overall marine life balance, we can use the information to infer patterns of marine ecosystem health.
The results of this survey will be used to help design ways to protect sharks in Fiji Repeating these surveys on a regular basis will help monitor the effectiveness of Shark protection measures.
The results will be made available to all interested parties:
- Local government, to assist in fisheries management policies in Fiji Waters.
- International agencies and projects, to assist in shark management across the world
- Local environmental managers, to develop better management plans for our reef system.
- The scientific community, to assist them in the implementation of conservation strategies and management measures to improve the health of our reefs.
- The tourism industry such as the resorts and dive operators, in order to raise awareness and assist them in designing better approaches towards caring for the marine environment.
- The general public through this website and various publications such as local newspapers, in-flight magazines, local magazines, posters etc.
A major country report will be compiled and released, to increase general awareness and to illustrate the positive outcome which your participation in The Great Fiji Shark Count has had on protecting Fiji’s marine ecosystems for generations ahead to enjoy.
Shark Research
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Shark Reef Marine Reserve (SRMR) Benthic Biodiversity Assessments, Serua, Viti Levu, Fiji – September 2022
Shark Reef Marine Reserve (SRMR) is a section of patch reef approximately 3 Km from the southern shore of Viti Levu in the Fiji Islands. In 2014 it was declared a statutory marine reserve under the Fisheries Act of 1942 (Cap 158) with the specific objective of protecting shark populations in the area. Shark feedingMore…
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Shark fishing bans double reef shark numbers – study
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are increasingly important in the fight for ocean conservation, but a new study has shown that to be most effective for sharks and rays, they need to be combined with a total ban on the take of vulnerable species.
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Great Shark Snapshot returns for 2024
The Great Shark Snapshot, one of the Shark Trust’s citizen scientist initiatives, in which divers and snorkellers around the world are asked to record the sharks and rays they see is set to return in 2024 between 20 and 28 July 2024.
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Rays in the Shadows: Batoid Diversity, Occurrence, and Conservation Status in Fiji
This study compiled data from various sources, including a literature review, participatory science programs, and environmental DNA to assess the diversity and occurrence of batoids in Fiji’s waters.
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Research reveals high variability in shark presence in Fiji
A new research published by the Pacific Conservation Biology, Community-driven shark monitoring for informed decision making: a case study from Fiji, reveals 146,304 sharks were observed in Fiji waters between 2012 and 2016.
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Fiji’s Bycatch Guidelines & Bycatch Mitigation Toolkits -A good start to the New Year
A good start to the New Year – Fiji’s Bycatch Guidelines & Bycatch Mitigation Toolkits
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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.
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Fisheries-independent surveys identify critical habitats for young scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) in the Rewa Delta, Fiji
Sharp declines in numerous shark populations around the world have generated considerable interest in better understanding and characterising their biology, ecology and critical habitats.
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Sharks and Rays of PNG
We’d like to spread word on the newly published ‘Sharks and Rays of Papua New Guinea’, the first ever comprehensive reference of sharks, rays and chimaeras found in PNG waters – a number of which are found in close association with coral reefs. It has a user-friendly layout and contains information on identifying features, size,More…
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The Shark Reef Marine Reserve: a marine tourism project in Fiji involving local communities
The Shark Reef Marine Reserve in Fiji is an ecotourism project designed to protect a small reef patch and its fauna while preserving the livelihood of local communities. It involves the local communities by using a participatory business planning approach to Marine Protected Area management, generating income through diver user fees, distributed to the local villages that have exchangedMore…
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Daku Resort
Daku Resort is a delightful gem that glints from the hidden treasure trove that is Savusavu. Its combination of comfortable accommodation, good food, great setting and fabulous staff has made it Savusavu’s top rated choice on Trip Advisor.
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Explanation of shark count method and analysis
So we had a very good question in an email recently asking for an explanation of shark count method and analysis used in the Great Fiji Shark Count. Helen answered below.
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Onwards into Year #5!
An exercise held across Fiji waters during the months of April and November to ascertain the shark and ray population enters its fifth year this month. The Great Fiji Shark Count, started by a group of scientists and tourism operators and led by Beqa Adventure Divers in Pacific Harbour and Marine Ecology Consulting in Lami,More…
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Paper – Elasmobranch captures in the Fijian pelagic longline fishery
Good paper by Susanna about the shark fisheries by the Fijian pelagic longline industry, updated and revised early 2016.
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Sharks: Conservation, Governance and Management
The Great Fiji Shark Count is quoted extensively in this 2014 book “Sharks: Conservation, Governance and Management” by Erika J. Techera and Natalie Klein.
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Barefoot Kuata
Discover our magical island hideaway, located between the end of the world and the beginning of paradise in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji. Barefoot Kuata Island is the smallest of the collection of islands known as the Waya collection and the ideal location to meet friendly reef sharks. Just a 2-hour boat ride from Port Denarau,More…
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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.
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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 sharkMore…
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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 andMore…
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South Pacific Adventure Divers
South Pacific Adventure Divers has been serving divers since 1998 with a friendly staff, PADI resort standard of quality and a pristine safety record.
