What's happening in Fiji

Link to Fiji Times Online: http://www.fijitimes.com

News from Fiji's resorts, dive operators and around the nation

Joan Moody, Namena co-founder dies-   March 25th

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...  Read More

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.  The diving there can be fantastic, and there have been few opportunities to take advantage of this pristine area. 

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.  Information Guide  TVRS Brochure (and list of participating / approved retailers)

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 10^th 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 - July 2009

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 - July 2009

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.  Two boatloads of guests were fishing and diving off the Great Sea Reef when the whale shark approached their boats.  The whale shark was highly inquisitive, allowing guests to swim around it for almost half an hour .

Tokoriki Island Giant Clam Regeneration Project

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: