Waitabu Marine Park Snorkel Trip - Fiji - April 2016
Last week we had one of supporters and friends, Helen Sykes comes to visit and go on a snorkel trip. This time she brought along her sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Larry all the way from Colorado Springs in Colorado USA.
#WaitabuFiji #FijiNow #PureTaveuni
Underwater video from a reef check with Waitabu Marine Park, Fiji
During the first week of March, 2012, Waitabu Village played host to a group of dedicated local marine lovers from surrounding villages who came together to take part in the annual marine Survey.
Waitabu Marine Park has long since been a pioneering example of a successful locally managed Marine Protected Area (MPA). The communities of Waitabu and Bouma came together to protect their native fishing grounds in 1998. Their foresight and diligence allows visitors the opportunity to share in the beauty of the Waitabu Marine Park.
The week of marine activities included:
Large scale habitat and invertebrate species: The manta tow monitoring method is used for assessing broad-scale changes in reef cover due to cyclone damage, coral bleaching and outbreaks of the Crown-of-Thorns starfish.
Fine scale invertebrate surveys: Timed search and measurements.
Fine scale reef populations: Reef Check' point and belt transects: A randomised technique to measure what is on a reef in a small area, we can then compare to other reefs around the globe.
Fish populations: Underwater visual census for indicator species.
The 2012 survey results show the following:
Sea Cucumber (Beach de Mer)
Despite the challenges of poaching over the last few months, (which has now been addressed by the local police) Sea Cucumbers have doubled in quantity from last year to 107 in the Tabu area this year.
Bula (Crown-of-Thorns)
Again in the tabu area, the Crown-of-Thorns have almost increased ten-fold from 5 last year to 43 this year. With consent
from the Waitabu Marine Park Committee, the group responded directly by clearing 100 of these starfish in just one hour.
Cawaki (Urchin)
Numbers of Cawaki are increasing in the tara area in front of Waitabu Village while none were spotted in the Tabu area just metres away. This demonstrates how the lack of certain species can help with understanding the state of the reef. In this case, the high numbers of Cawaki in the Tara area point towards there being fewer predators such as triggerfish.
Vivili (Trochus Shell)
Vivili sightings were high in the tabu area and low in the tara area. They have also grown to breeding sizes.
Seaweed Levels
Large schools of fish in the tabu area have eaten the seaweed and created clean rocks for new corals to grow, providing more places for small fish and other animals to live. There is a distinct difference in colour from the tabu areas which is brightly coloured with healthy coral to the
The lack of certain species can help with understanding the state of the reef.
tara area which is green from the extensive seaweed coverage.
Living Coral
Living coral levels have been notably higher in the Tabu area than the Tara area consistently since 2006.
Giant Clam (Vasua)
63 giant clams were found in the tabu area, which shows a continuing up swing on clam numbers and size.
If you would like to book a trip or learn more about the MPA or monitoring methods used, please contact:
To book call: 679-820-1999
Waitabu Village | South Pacific & French Polynesia | Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic
Guests are welcomed to a Fijian village with a traditional kava ceremony and demonstrations of crafts, cooking, music, and dance.
Video by Rodrigo Moterani aboard the National Geographic Orion in Waitabu, Taveuni, Fiji.
Learn more about our South Pacific & French Polynesia expeditions:
Subscribe to our channel:
Join the conversation:
Facebook:
Instagram:
Twitter:
Blog:
Day 1 of Marine Surveys, Waitabu Marine Park, 2015
Day 1 of Marine Surveys, Waitabu Marine Park, 2015
The whole community gets involved in the surveys of the Marine Park boat.
White tip Waitabu Marine Park
Preparing & Cooking Sea Urchin, Waitabu Taveuni Pt 1
Cooking Sea Urchin the Traditional Fijian Way
Noqurosi By The Warriors
Fijian music everywhere you go, Taveuni, Fiji. Some friends play one of their favourite songs early in the morning.
Katoni & The Naselesele / Waitabu Serenaders @ Naselesele Village Taveuni
Family afternoon of fun
HD1080i Diving in Fiji Island August 2015 Part3
Diving in Fiji Island, (Aggressor) August 2015 Part3
Bouma National Park 2
Customers and Staff having fun jumping into the pool created by the amazing waterfall at Bouma National Park in Taveuni, Fiji. They were on Captain Cooks' Heritage Cruise.
Bouma Tavueni
This video highlights Bouma Park visitor center and water falls.
Waitabu vs Lavena @ the Wairiki 7’s, 2017
Wairiki 7’s, 2017.. Waitabu vs Lavena
Waitabu beach band
These boys were using improvised instruments for a concert on the beach. Unfortunately the camera microphone does not do them justice.
Radradra7s: Ratu Epeli Ganilau tree planting ceremony
Ratu Epeli Ganilau planting a tree at Welagi village as the Radradra tournament collaborates with Wakatu Taveuni project before the opening
Waitabu Marine Survey, A summary by participant, Kirsty Barnby, Director of Island Spirit
Waitabu Marine Survey, A Summary by participant, Kirsty Barnby, Director of Island Spirit. Reef Check, invertebrate and fish counts in and out of the Marine Protected Area (tabu).
Sigidrigi @ The Vuki House in Naselesele Village Taveuni
The Waisoki clan of Waitabu Village & The Savuna Clan of Naselesele village come together for a family afternoon of Fun in Naselesele Village
Protecting Fragile Fiji, Practical Solutions for an Edangered Environment
Bettering Fijian's Education & Economy
Protecting, preserving and managing Fijian reef systems to promote sustainable economic growth at a community/village level.
A Mountain View, CA and Taveuni Fiji Rotary co-effort.