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Link to Fiji Times Online: http://www.fijitimes.com
News from Fiji's resorts, dive operators and around the nation
Celebration of the South Pacific- Dec, 2011
Protect Fiji's Sharks! - Nov, 2011
Beachcomber Island is raising baby turtles - Nov, 2011
The Socio-economic value of sharks (UPDATE) - Nov, 2011 Thanks to all who participated by completing the survey on the socio-economic value of sharks! The study has moved into the analyzation phase, so no more surveys are needed. Once the report has been completed we'll post a link to the study results.
2011 World Travel Awards - Nov, 2011 Fiji resorts make a great showing with these prestigious awards!
Winners and Nominees from Fiji
Click here for the complete list
The Socio-economic value of sharks - Aug, 2011
Your help with the questionnaire (attached) will help them make the study more robust by increasing the sample size and area coverage. The questionnaire was designed to be delivered during a tourist's holiday while in Fiji, so it would be great if you could answer it as if you had just finished or were about to finish your trip. (link has expired) If you have any questions regarding the survey or study just send Gabe an email at gabe.vianna@gmail.com or give him a ring on the phone at 9867620.
A similar survey was recently done in Palau, and here are the links if you would like to see more of what it is about: Link for the video of the study about the socio-economics of sharks in Palau: http://www.pewenvironment.org/news-room/video-library/million-dollar-reef-sharks-85899359403 and this is the link for the report: http://www.pewenvironment.org/uploadedFiles/PEG/Publications/Report/Palau_Shark_Tourism.pdf
Proud Parents - July, 2011
Two Clark’s Anemone
fish are proud parents! The photo shows Mum and Dad and the (soon to be) kids.
The eggs were initially black and are now red. Clown fish lay their eggs outside
the anemone in which they live and either push the anemone over the eggs or pick
up the eggs and rub them against the anemone in order to immunize the developing
fish to the sting – they are not born with immunization! (Courtesy Lalati
Resort) For additional information, contact Sea Fiji Travel.
Note: The fish in the image above was misidentified as a Clark's Anemone fish. This is the Fiji variant of the Orange Fin Anemone fish... Simple way to tell them apart is that Clark's has both bars same width, orange fin has back bar noticeably narrower. The mistake is made because the Orange Fin in Fiji has an orange tail, and the ID books show the Orange Fin with a specific orange tail. (Correction thanks to Stuart Gow).
Marine Photography Course - June, 2011 Acclaimed underwater photographer,
Daniel Schwartz, will conduct two very special weeks of diving and photography
in Savusavu, Fiji, hosted by Daku Resort and L’Aventure Cousteau. Diving will
be at the famed Namena Marine Reserve and the magnificent reefs around the
Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. It'll be a wonderful week for both the experienced
and novice photographer. The cost will be US$1820 per person and includes all
diving (10 dives),equipment (non-photographic), tuition, accommodation, meals
and airport transfers. For additional information, contact
Sea Fiji Travel.
Jean-Michel Cousteau L'Aventure and Daku Resort present Marine Photography Courses in Fiji November 12-19 2011 June 2- 9 2012
Underwater Festival 2011 (Australia) - May, 2011 The 5th Annual Underwater Festival™ 2011 will be held on the 2nd to the 11th of September, and be the biggest one yet. With the tagline 'The Australasia Challenge’, it will incorporate an Australasia-wide simultaneous photo and video shootout competition like no other with over $100,000 in prizes. Matava has planned an event to help photographers hone their skills. Register for the competition or get more information.
Maravu Plantation Resort Closes - March, 2011 We regret to report that Maravu Plantation Resort on Taveuni has closed its doors and will no longer be accepting guests. If you or anyone you know is affected by this closure, please contact us immediately. Space at other Taveuni resorts will fill quickly.
Namale Resort announces new dive boat acquisition - January, 2011 This new 11.3- meter boat will allow divers to more easily access the Namena Marine Reserve and the Somosomo Strait. Click here for additional information.
Fiji resorts score well in the new TripAdvisor Awards - January, 2011 More information: 2011 Travelers' Choice Awards 2010 Travelers' Choice Awards
Sigatoka River Safari adds 15th village - January, 2011
Kila World Adventure Park - January, 2011
Rugby Tournament - January, 2011 The Uprising Fiji International Sevens Tournament is a 2-day tournament being hosted at the National Stadium in Suva beginning on Friday, 21st of January, 2011. With teams from Samoa and Tonga also participating , the Uprising tournament brings together the best in the Pacific. Air Pacific baggage changes go into effect Dec 1, 2010- November 26th
Air Pacific Announces New Check-in Policy - September 2010 New check-in guidelines could have huge impacts on passengers. International passengers must check in at least one hour prior to departure, and 30 minutes for domestic passengers, or they will be denied boarding. Full details here.
Joan Moody, Namena co-founder dies- March 25th
Resorts fare well, but Fijian villages suffer damages - Cyclone Appeal announced - March 17th Cyclone Tomas has departed Fiji, but the local people are now faced with cleanup and rebuilding. While reports from hotels and resorts list relatively minor damage, local villages in the Northern and Eastern divisions are reporting more serious damage. A 30-day State of Disaster has been declared for those areas, facilitating relief efforts by military and naval personnel including food and other basic supplies. These areas (Vanua Levu, Taveuni and surrounding islands in the North, and Lomaiviti and Lau group in the East) suffered damages from high winds, heavy rain and heavy seas. The cyclone was an extremely slow moving storm, taking several days to move through Fiji and pounding the area the entire time. Many homes have lost their roofs and had the contents destroyed by rain, and there have been reports that at least one low-lying village has been swamped by a sea surge.
A Fiji Cyclone Appeal has been launched by ANZ Bank and the Fiji Times. Donations can be made at any ANZ branch worldwide, or wire transfers can be sent to: Give to the Fiji Cyclone Appeal: · ANZ Account # 10616461 · ANZ Fiji Swift Code is: ANZBFJFX · BSB is: 010890 (ANZ House) All money raised will be donated to the Fiji Red Cross Society for Cyclone Tomas relief efforts.
Cyclone approaches- March 12th Tropical Cyclone Thomas is expected to enter the Fiji Islands today. It is currently expected to cross over Vanua Levu as a Category 3 storm, and the island is on full alert.
Lomalagi opens full PADI dive operation- February 21st Lomalagi Resort on Vanua Levu has
announced that they will be opening a full PADI dive operation at the resort.
This means that diving in Natewa Bay (the largest bay in the South
Pacific) will now be easily accessible.
TripAdvisor Awards for 2010 World (All Inclusive) 8. Nukubati South Pacific Best Service 1. Nakia 8. Coconut Grove 10. Mai Dive Family 2. Malolo 3. Outrigger 4. Castaway 5. Radisson Luxury 4. Nukubati Relaxation & Spa 2. InterContinental 6. Taunovo Bay 7. Rydges Hideaway 10. Radisson Romance 2. Turtle Island 5. InterContinental 6. Tokoriki
Fiji visitor's tax rebate! - January 27th Fiji has just implemented a
tourism tax (VAT) refund for cumulative purchases over FJD$500. Refunds
can be applied for at the FIRCA booths at Nadi International Airport and the
port of entry in Suva.
Christmas Eve fire closes Yasawa Island Resort - December 25th Yasawa Island Resort suffered a fire in their main complex on Christmas Eve. The main complex was destroyed including the restaurant, bar, kitchen, stores, boutique, offices and library. No guests or staff were injured, and none of the resort bures were damaged. Efforts are already underway to reopen a new complex with improved function. Reopening is scheduled for October, 2010.
Namena Marine Reserve an Anchor Free Zone - December 17th Ratu Apenisa Vuki, Tui for the district of Kubulau (traditional owners of the Kubulau Qoliqoli which includes the Namena Marine Reserve) declared the entire area an Anchor Free Zone. Ratu Vuki says “With generous help and support from CORAL, Greenforce, Aggressor Fiji Ltd, and the Jean Michel Cousteau Resort, we have been able to fund the installation of a series of FIMSA approved moorings that are capable of securely holding our visiting liveaboards.” Anchor Free Zone letter from Ratu Apenisa Vuki Namena Mooring Information
Cyclone Mick passes over Fiji - December 16th Tropical Cyclone Mick made landfall in Fiji at the Yasawas as a category 2 storm, and proceeded across Fiji to the south east with the eye directly over Viti Levu. There were high winds and heavy rain, but little serious damage was reported. Most of Fiji's resorts stayed open and expect to be back to normal within a few days. Clean up is ongoing as there was a fair amount of downed branches and trees, as well as some communication towers. Communications are still disrupted, as is air travel to Kadavu, but expect to be restored within a couple of days.
Some local Fijians did not fare as well, as some coastal areas and rivers saw heavy flooding, and residential structures were hit hard in some areas. The King's road is currently closed, and some families who live on the coastline are now homeless.
As in the
Caribbean and the southeast US, tropical storms are a summertime characteristic
of the South Pacific. In mid-October, the weather office predicted the
Southwest Pacific, including Fiji, would experience between eight and 11
cyclones in the 2009-2010 season.
Fiji’s Director of Meteorology Rajendra Prasad said "On
average two to three tropical cyclones pass through Fiji's waters a season with
one directly affecting land areas. There is a slightly higher chance of tropical
cyclones passing through the northern and eastern parts of Fiji's waters."
Daylight Saving Time - November 29th Daylight Saving Time will go into effect in Fiji from 2am on November 29 to 3am on April 25.
Cousteau Resort wins Award - November 11th
Congratulations to Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, who has been voted
"Fiji's Leading Resort for 2009" at the 16th World Travel Awards, voted by
travel agents worldwide.
World Travel Awards - Australasia 2009 Source: www.worldtravelawards.com Winners of the 2009
World Travel Awards - Australasia Region
Fiji World Leader in Low Carbon Tourism Initiative - November 11th Fiji sets world mark becoming first country to implement a national low carbon travel and tourism sector initiative. A pilot project deploying energy efficiency technologies and small-scale renewable energy sources will be rolled out across the destination over the next 12-15 months. - From south-pacific.travel
Fiji's Independence Day - October 10th
Happy 39th birthday to Fiji! October 10th is the 39th anniversary of Fiji's
independence from Great Britain. Prince Charles transferred power from Great
Britain to Fiji's first Prime Minister (Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara) in Albert Park,
Suva on the 10th
of October, 1970, giving Fiji its long desired independence.
The Great Fiji Butterflyfish Count - October, 2009 The health of a marine ecosystem can be determined by the life it supports, and one good metric is the quantity and diversity of butterfly fishes. The Great Fiji Butterflyfish Count takes place throughout Fiji during the month of October, and is open to locals and visitors, divers and snorkelers. You can do a single count or participate as often as you like during October. Of the 114 species worldwide, at least 27 can be found on Fiji’s reefs. Participation is easy and fun! ID slates are provided by participating resorts and dive operators, and all you need to do is get in the water and record what you see. The results from last year’s count were presented at the Fiji Islands Conservation Science Forum at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva.
Humpback Whales - August 2009 Divers from Lalati Resort were treated to 3 Humpback Whales in Beqa Lagoon.
Pilot Whales Divers in many southern parts of Fiji have been treated to whale sightings over the last few weeks. Matava Resort has reported sightings of both Pilot Whales and Bryde's Whales. Both DiveAway and Scuba Bula on Viti Levu have also been seeing whales almost every day. There was even a Humpback Whale in Suva Harbour.
Whale Shark on the Great Sea Reef Guests at the 5-star resort on Nukubati Island in the
far north of Fiji have been treated to
a rare sighting of a giant whale shark.
Tokoriki Island Giant Clam Regeneration Project Tokoriki Giant Clam Project Receives National Recognition In June, Will and Alex (of Tokoriki Diving) were invited by the Ministry of Fisheries, to speak at an Eco-Tourism conference in Fiji’s capital Suva. Alex, gave a 30 minute presentation on the Tokoriki Giant Clam Regeneration Project and its success at bringing to maturity tridacna gigas clams. Outside of Makogai Island Research Station, (where the brood stock of gigas clams live); Tokoriki boasts the next largest colony of this endangered species in Fiji. At the last count the Project has over 100 Giant Clams; the largest measuring 70cm in length. As a result of increased pressure from ourselves, The Mamanuca Environmental Society (MES) and the Ministry of Fisheries a request has been made to the Paramount Chief of the Mamanuca Region of Fiji, to grant The Tokoriki Island Giant Clam Regeneration Site Marine Protected Area (MPA) status. Verbal approval has been given by the Chief and we are currently waiting on all the formalities to be completed before the site officially becomes a no fish zone. Click here for more information
 The
Shark-Free Marina Initiative
has a singular purpose, to reduce worldwide shark mortality. We encourage
shark conservation at sport fishing and resort marinas by prohibiting the
landing of any shark at the participating marina. The SFMI works with
marinas, fishermen and like minded non-profit groups to form community
conscious policy and increase awareness of the need to protect our sharks,
our ocean and our legacy. Fiji is
currently leading the world in certifying marinas and charter boats into
compliance with this shark conservation initiative. Spearheaded in Fiji by
Stuart Gow and Adrian Watt (of Matava Resort and Bite Me Gamefishing
Charters), we are proud to also support the Shark Free Marina Initiative,
and delighted that Fiji is taking a leading role in this important effort.
www.sharkfreemarinas.com
2009 is the International Year of the Shark.
Fiji Shark Conservation and Awareness Project Recent findings of the Global Shark Assessment indicate that at current rates of decline, extinction of the most threatened species of Shark is forecast in 10 to 15 years. In large regions, species that were once numerous have virtually disappeared, in a massacre comparable to that of the buffalo on the North American plains 200 years ago, but on a much larger scale. For example, studies of oceanic Sharks estimate 80 to 90% of heavily fished species are gone. Yet these intelligent animals are still fished intensively, and finned, usually while still alive, for shark fin soup.
Sponsored by:
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Alisi Rabukawaqa, currently crowned as Fiji's Miss
Hibiscus, is participating in the Miss South Pacific Pageant being hosted this
year in Samoa. She is championing the Fiji Shark Campaign as part of her
bid for the overall title. You can vote for her or find out more
A second
hatching of turtles recently took place on Beachcomber Island. The babies
were collected before the birds and other predators could get them and are being
raised until they are old enough to be released back into the sea.
As
part of the Sigatoka River Safari, tourists travel up the Sigatoka River in
custom made jet boats and visit a different village everyday to see and
experience ‘real’ Fijian life. With 14 villages currently involved, the addition
of Navula Village was a result of the village seeing the positive impact
Sigatoka River Safari was having on the other villages. 
FIJI-based
water bottling and packaging company Pleass Global Ltd has opened the doors to
its nature park that also has in store wild "rope" rides suitable for thrill
seekers. The first phase that has opened includes a high ropes adventure
course, including a giant swing and Fiji's longest flying fox (zip line).
The park also features nature walks and swimming and picnic areas.
Economy
class checked baggage allowance for all flights to/from the USA/Canada to Nadi
has been revised downward from 2
pieces at 23kg (50 lbs) per piece to 1 piece at 23kg (50 lbs).
All Economy class passengers will now have a baggage allowance of
23kg (50 lbs) on the Air Pacific Network.
Joan
Moody as passed away in Labasa after a brief illness. She was a founding
member of the Savusavu Tourism Association and a founder of the Namena Marine
Reserve... 
