Voluntourism contributes greatly to the Great Fiji Shark Count

The involvement of three of Fiji’s largest voluntourism organisations has added a large amount of data and collectors to The Great Fiji Shark Count in 2014. They are a diverse group of youngsters in different parts of the country, and have been very helpful in sending in data and boosting our results.

As the total number of observations are important to the science (the more data points, the more robust the results, the better the outcomes) these groups have greatly improved the volume of reports and surveys this year.

We look forward to their input and data during the November count, which is sooner than you think!

Projects Abroad

In cooperation with Beqa Adventure Divers’ Fiji Shark Conservation Project in Pacific Harbour, Project Abroad gives volunteers the chance to get up close to some of the most endangered animals in the world.

Working directly with the on site shark research scientists, Project Abroad volunteers are directly involved in scientific shark research work. With over 30 volunteers in country working on the various projects, and all of them have been involved in The Great Fiji Shark Count during their weekly dives in Beqa Lagoon.

Full details of their project are here: http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/volunteer-projects/conservation-and-environment/fiji/monthly-updates/?content=2014/march-april/

Voluntourism contributes greatly to the Great Fiji Shark Count

Global Vision International (GVI)

Based in the idyllic Yasawa Islands in the West of Fiji, Global Vision International (GVI) Fiji’s Marine Research and Conservation Project conducts research that will facilitate long term benefits to the local communities of the Yasawas and help guarantee food security for future generations.

This small international team of volunteers works on collecting data, now including Shark Counts, by underwater research dives, that help establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Full details of their project are here: http://www.gvi.co.uk/programs/marine-conservation-expedition-fijiin-fiji/

Frontier-Fiji

Frontier-Fiji’s Reef Conservation Project aims include surveying the marine resources of the island of Beqa, to provide information to allow informed decisions regarding the management of their coastal ecosystems.

Frontier-Fiji conducts scientific baseline data surveys of the Beqa reefs, mapping the sea grass beds and mangrove fringes of the region. Once a long term data set is obtained, patterns of resource use can be identified and work with local communities can begin to build awareness of the value and vulnerability of their marine environment.

See more details of their project here: http://www.frontier.ac.uk/projects/120/Fiji-Marine-Conservation-%26-Diving

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!