Achievement Summary Report

GVI Fiji, Yasawa Hub

August 2012

Marine Research and Conservation Update

Global Vision International (GVI) and Vinaka Fijis Marine Research and Conservation Project aims to
conduct research that will facilitate long term benefits for the local communities of the Yasawas and
help guarantee food security for future generations.
The program is designed to empower communities by providing education and assistance through
the facilitation of locally managed marine protected areas (MPAs) whilst also enabling communities
to gain official national recognition of these MPAs.
GVIs survey team, comprised of international volunteers, has been collecting data on benthic life
forms, targeted invertebrate and fish species. The targeted species list represents a combination of
commercially valuable species and species targeted for subsistence fishing. The study of benthic life
forms provide a percentage of hard coral cover and can show bleaching events and algae blooms
which are indicative of reef health.
There are three types of survey methodologies used to collect data; Line Intercept Transect (LIT),
Invertebrate Belt Transect (IBT) and Underwater Visual Census (UVC). All surveys are completed at
four different depth profiles: 0-5m, 5-10m, 10-15m & 15-20m. LIT and IBT surveys are completed
together, each transect is 10 metres long (diagram 1). A tape measure is placed over the reef and
the benthic life forms directly underneath the tape measure are recorded. At each point where the
benthic life form changes, the observer records the transition point in centimetres and the new life
form. Data collected from LIT surveys can identify seasonal and spatial trends of reef over time.
IBT surveys provide a rapid assessment of the abundance of targeted invertebrate species. A diver
recording invertebrates swims in a zigzag slowly along the line, using the tape as central point in a
2m wide transect.

IBT
LIT

Diagram 1. LIT and IBT survey methodology

UVC surveys count individual targeted fish species to estimate the targeted fish species total
abundance, which can determine the standing stock of the targeted fish population. The survey is
approximately 30 meters long using a timed swim method, a speed of 6metres per minute is used,
and therefore each survey is 5 minutes long. The observer swims close to the reef as they rotate
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their head steadily from side to side observing an estimated 3 dimensional, 5 metre volume box
(diagram 2) recording any targeted fish species within the boundaries.

Diagram 2. UVC survey methodology

Volunteers are trained in species identification with informative, visual lectures and in-water point
out dives. Before volunteers are entrusted to survey they must complete both computer and inwater identification tests and receive a 100% pass mark.
The data collected is used either to identify suitable areas for the placement of tabu areas (no fishing
zones) or to monitor existing tabu areas. All information will then be presented to communities in a
comprehensive manner to facilitate informed decision making.

Survey and Awareness Campaigns

GVI has completed awareness evenings in Naisisili, Vuaki, Navatua and Enadala villages, introducing
GVI and the concept of Locally Managed Marine Area Networks (FLMMA) to the communities.
Previous and existing marine management plans have been discussed with these communities in
order to see what had been achieved and what had failed. The principles of marine management
were explained to refresh and inspire community involvement. In each of the communities the
concept of the spill-over effect was understood and questions were asked about reef health, the
effects of farming, nutrient loading, sedimentation and coastal development. Each of the
aforementioned villages asked for GVI and the Yasawa Trust Foundations assistance in reforming or
creating a marine management plan. In response, GVI and YTF plan to facilitate a fish warden
training workshop and a marine resource management workshop with the goal of initiating village
environment committees which in turn could collaboratively form the Nacula District Yaubula
Management Support Team (YMST). The YMST will be trained in biological monitoring and socio2

economic surveying. GVI propose the same awareness evenings for Nacula, Malakati, Matacawalevu,
and Yaqeta villages.

Marine awareness evening in Enadala village

The boundaries of traditional fishing grounds (qoliqoli) have been mapped by the Native Lands and
Fisheries Commission and recorded on the Register of Native Fishing Rights. A person who holds
traditional fishing rights over an qoliqoli (resource owner) may fish for subsistence purposes (not
for trade or business) in the qoliqoli without a permit or licence. Any person (including a resource
owner) who wishes to fish for trade or business must apply to the Department of Fisheries for a
fishing licence. A licence is not required to fish with a line from the shore or with a spear.
The Fisheries Department will not issue a license to fish within a registered qoliqoli unless the
applicant has obtained a written letter of consent from the chief of the relevant resource owning
group. Licenses may be granted subject to conditions, for example prohibiting fishing in particular
areas, restricting fishing at particular times, prohibiting the use of particular fishing gear, or
prohibiting the taking of particular species. It is a criminal offence to fish for trade or business
without a license, or to breach the conditions of a fishing license. The maximum penalty is 3 months
prison and/or a $500 fine. Licences are valid for up to 12 months, and expire on 31st December each
year. Licence conditions can be used to protect community declared tabu areas. In Macuata, for
example, the high chief issues letters of consent on the condition that the licence will prohibit fishing
in tabu areas. Maps of the tabu areas are attached to each license.
Currently the program survey schedule has nearly been completed on reefs surrounding Nanuya Lai
Lai (figure 1). The community of Enadala have agreed upon an area to be declared as tabu and have
asked for GVIs assistance in mapping the tabu area and gaining official recognition by the fisheries
department. The community of Navotua have also requested assistance in gaining official
recognition of their current existing tabu area by having the area mapped on the fishing license by
the Fisheries Department. GVI plans to help facilitate this by compiling the relevant documentation
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and presenting it to the Fisheries Department and the Provincial Office. GVI will survey Navatua and
Enadala tabu areas biannually.

Figure 1. Completed Nanuya Lai Lai survey sites

GVI staff participated in a FLMMA leadership and management workshop for the Nacula District and
base line surveying has begun on reefs surrounding Nacula (figure 2).

Figure 2. Completed Nacula survey sites

Marine and Environmental Awareness, Education Program

GVIs Marine and Environmental Awareness, School Education Program aims to teach the key
concepts in marine conservation and environmental good practice. The program is currently running
in Ratu Meli Memorial School and Nasomolevu Catholic School, alternating weekly. The program is
taught with a variety of creative techniques including hands-on, interactive lessons which include
such activities as snorkelling trips, drawing, role play, beach cleans, debates, brainstorming and
games. The Marine and Environmental Awareness School Education Program hopes to instil a sense
of pride in pupils for their marine environment and encourage conservation for future generations
to come. Topics covered so far include; threats to the marine environment, destructive fishing gear,
mangroves, sharks, plastic pollution, climate change, sea cumbers and turtles.

Pupils from Nasomolevu Catholic School with their Threats to the Marine Environment posters

Cathedral Reef
Cathedral Reef is a dive site in the centre of The Yasawa Group, where two dive operations run a
shark feeding dive. There are regular sightings of bull, lemon, tawny nurse, grey reef, whitetip and
blacktip reef sharks and occasional sightings of zebra, tiger and great hammerhead sharks. Recently
dive operators have reported the presence of commercial fishing vessels in the area. This is a cause
for concern, as sharks are threatened worldwide due to unsustainable levels of fishing.

Sharks are apex predators found at the top of the marine ecosystem food chain and their presence
helps to maintain a balance within the environment. If large, predatory sharks are removed from the
food chain the equilibrium of the ecosystem is disturbed, which can have adverse effects on prey
species. This can lead to the degradation of the entire ecosystem. It is believed that in the last 20
years, some species of coastal sharks have declined by between 50 and 80 percent. Accounting for
local, regional, and global threats to sharks, GVI hope to increase the amount of shark research and
conservation in Fiji. There is a lack of basic knowledge about nearly all locally occurring sharks. GVI
hope to address the fundamental questions related to understanding the ecology and life history of
a variety of locally occurring sharks by collecting baseline data on the different species, size
estimates and sex. Using dorsal fin identification and body markings individual sharks can be
identified and the data can be used for site fidelity and migration studies in shark ecology.
The shark diving industry plays an important socio-economic role generating jobs and revenue to
local communities. Given the significance of sharks to Fiji and the greater South Pacific region, there
is a need to gather research so that the information obtained can be used to increase the capacity
for Fijian policy makers to make informed choices relating to the conservation and management of
their marine resources.
Working in conjunction with the support of the local community and dive operators, GVI hope to
implement a tabu area at Cathedral Reef that is recognised by the fisheries department. By retaining
traditional ownership of the reef it is hoped the area will be protected, GVI propose training local
dive instructors and divemasters as fish wardens so that the reef is policed consistently.
Letters of support from village headmen within the Nacula District have been received and the
required 50% of village signatures supporting the tabu area are being collected. Tui Drola (Yasawan
high chief) has agreed to fully support the declaration of the proposed tabu area at Cathedral Reef.

A Lemon Shark at Cathedral Reef with a hook in its mouth

Local dive operators have agreed to log all training, shark feeding and fun dives; and record any
opportunistic sightings of shark, ray and turtle species. It is important to record opportunistic
sightings of endangered species because it provides information on the whereabouts of these
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species which can in tern be used to develop conservation management strategies that will assist in
protecting them.
The data collected will provide estimates of the economic revenue generated by diving in the
Northern Yasawas and the distribution of these revenues to the principle local stakeholders
involved with the industry, including businesses, government and local community. These figures
can be used to demonstrate to key stakeholders why it is important to maintain and protect the
biodiversity of the marine ecosystems as there is a direct link to the income generated by tourism
and diving industry.
The recording of opportunistic shark sightings and the number of shark species at feeding dives will
facilitate an estimation of the socio-economic value of a live individual shark comparatively to the
value of a shark fin, which can be used to inspire and support shark conservation by local key
stakeholders.

Quarterly Goals

Complete baseline surveying around Nanuya Lai Lai.

Complete awareness evenings for all villages in the Nacula District.
Complete all supporting documentation and protocols for proposed tabu areas in Enadala,
Navatua and Cathedral Reef.
Present documentation to the Fisheries Department and the Provincial Office.

End of 2012 Goals

Complete fish warden training workshop for the Nacula District.

Complete Nacula District YMST workshop.
Gain official recognition of Enadala tabu area, Navatua tabu area and Cathedral Reef tabu
area on fishing permit license.

GVI FIJI MARINE CONSERVATION

In Partnership with
The YASAWA TRUST FOUNDATION
12th September 2012
Fiji@gviworld.com