Fiji Expeditions

• Category: Expeditions - Fiji

Introduction

The Republic of the Fiji Islands lies in the South Pacific and is a nation made up of over 330 islands.

The islands of Fiji are mountainous, covered in tropical forest and surrounded by tropical coral seas. Although rightly famed for its palm trees, white sand beaches and turquoise waters, Fiji is so much more. The Fijians are known as some of the warmest and friendliest people in the world. Volunteering on this project within such a fascinating culture is an incredible opportunity.

The Blue Ventures field research site is situated on Leleuvia, a palm-fringed coral island in the Lomaiviti group of islands, close to the larger island of Moturiki.

Blue Ventures' field research and conservation projects are carried out by our overseas volunteers, who work closely with our field research scientists and camp staff. We are currently looking for overseas volunteers to work at our site in Leleuvia.

The Leleuvia research site is a new Blue Ventures project for 2009 and every 6 weeks a new team of volunteers will arrive at the field site, ensuring year-round sustainability of our research in the region.

In addition to volunteers, the camp comprises of Fijian and international research scientists, as well as local and international Blue Ventures staff.

Our research aims to identify strategies and targets that Blue Ventures, local communities, the University of the South Pacific, and local NGOs can work towards to develop sustainable local environmental management plans for the unique reef systems of the region.

These plans will focus on improving the quality of life of the local communities who depend on these marine resources while maintaining the biological diversity and productivity of the reefs.
Considering potential threats to the world’s reefs from climate change and human influence, it is now critical that data be gathered for use in local environmental management plans.

The work Blue Ventures is undertaking has significant importance both in terms of its impact on the ecology of the region and the role it plays in assisting the development of the local community.

Our Fijian island marine conservation project gives you the chance to experience one of Fiji’s most renowned dive locations, whilst supporting research into biodiversity conservation, sustainable fisheries, coral farming, marine protected area (MPA) management and conserving the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle.