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The Fiji Factor - what makes Fiji special: Fiji Security Gate... what fence?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:21:20 -0700

From the page: "Fiji Security Gate... what fence?"

DIVE ME, new dive boat being built in Navua, Fiji for Mad Fish Dive Centre 7 Oct 2009 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:49:43 -0700

DIVE ME, new dive boat being built in Navua, Fiji for Mad Fish Dive Centre 7 Oct 2009

Gamefishing Fiji: Big Blue Marlin

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:31:01 -0700

I hate busting off a fish, especially as the lure is still in its mouth. Only a single hook rig so hopefully with the pressure off, the marlin will just spit it out.
I'm almost annoyed....

Eds 44kg Wahoo M-15 Fiji Record on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:03:35 -0700

Ed's 44kg Wahoo M-15 Fiji Record

Diving in Fiji: DIVE ME, our new dive boat

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:50:35 -0700

From the page: "First TOP SECRET pictures of Mad Fish Dive Centre's new dive boat, MV DIVE ME!"

Diving in Fiji: FIJI: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:03:18 -0700

All the dreamed exoticism of Southern Seas, is assembled in the remote islands of Fiji. Exuberant nature, warm locals and a spectacular underwater world.

Buceo Virtual/Big-Trips/FIJI: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:34:19 -0700

From the page: "(21-09-09) All the dreamed exoticism of Southern Seas, is assembled in the remote islands of Fiji. Exuberant nature, warm locals and a spectacular underwater world.

A typical question at school was where the antipodes of Spain were located. �oeAnti... what?” It could be the classic answer of many children. With this term we mean the part of the world that lies just on the opposite side of where we are, well, in the case of the Iberian Peninsula, the antipodes would be located in the vicinity of the Fiji Islands, in the middle of the Pacific.

Fiji

This remote and small archipelago lies 1,770 km north of New Zealand, it has all the classic ingredients of the South Seas, and, of course, an excellent dive, which makes the place be a dream destination for all divers in the world.

KADAVU ISLAND

This time we are going to discover one of the most remote areas of the archipelago. This is the island of Kadavu, located about 90 km south of the main island, Viti Levu. There, an interesting phenomenon of ecotourism has been doing for many years. A �oeprivate”, fisheries reserve has been created, managed by local people themselves and where the diving is particularly important.

Fiji

In exchange for self-regulation of the fishermen, they charge a small tax on divers to ensure the preservation of the reefs. Here, large Asian fleets, which devastate the seas of the region, are unwelcome.

The diving in the area is around the Great Astrolabe Reef that runs over 120 km along the south-southwest coast of the island. Large areas of coral are lined as if they were a barrier to protect the lush coastline from storms. Also, several passages, which are the most interesting for the underwater exploration, appear. Wildlife is abundant and, especially spectacular.

Fiji

In these turquoise waters the dream of any diver can came true: its abundance, size or rarity. Whales migrating that enter the reef lagoon, manta rays, different types of sharks, marlins and turtles will delight lovers of the great meetings. But for fans of the tiny things, ghost pipe fish or ribbon eel, along with many shrimp in soft corals or colourful nudibranchs, will make us fall into a fantasy world.

MEETING THE MANTA RAYS

One of the great attractions of the area is the abundance of manta rays, with sighting almost guaranteed. To do this we stand, after a long journey, in Manta Point, a coral plateau with a bottom of between 15 and 20 m that is place of appointment of these great animals.

Fiji

We expectant cover the bottom of the sea, searching every corner. They spend a few minutes, but the animals are not going to miss the appointment. Depending on the time of the day and also the season, we can see them worming and eating. In the first case they are quieter, but the second one is certainly much more spectacular.

The manta rays come from the blue and start to turn back on themselves in a sort of exciting circle dance, a spectacle. With their big mouths and gill slits at full capacity, they introduce large amounts of plankton floating in the water.

Fiji

They seem not to be tired because of spinning in what is basically a feast for them. The downside of this underwater ballet is that, obviously, the clarity is not much, precisely because of the amount of food that, after all, is why they come here.

Fiji

eagle rock

One of the different entrances that open on the reef is known as Eagle Rock, since there is a large rock in its centre and encounters with sea eagles are usually frequent. It is a common area, and with great abundance of life. So, just we start the dive, two shoals welcome us: one of small barracuda, and the other one of carangid fish, prologue of the emotions that we are going to live.

We began the descent to glimpse the great rock. There is little current and do not see many animals. Our dive master, Jon, a native of the area and discoverer of these bottoms, starts to initiate a strange ritual. He takes a small plastic bottle from the pocket of his waistcoat and fills it partially with water. What is happening? Narcosis? We are just twenty metres deep. Once the operation finishes he starts to rub the bottle in his hands.

Fiji

A dull and heavy sound is spreading across the submerged reef. The rate increases in a kind of frenzied �oecrescendo”. Suddenly the sharks, magically, begin to appear: first some oceanic white tip shark and then several gray sharks. Sharks undoubtedly are attracted by the sound, as they come very close to us. We can count, first, two, then three, five, even ten specimens.

This technique, as then Jon will tell us, attracts sharks. They come to find out what it is, and originally it was widespread across the Pacific either with shell rattles, wooden instruments, etc. They tried to get the attention of sharks to attract them and to catch them. These days, the purposes and instruments h

Pacific Boa Constrictor Snakes (Candoia bibroni bibroni): Alfies New Baby

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:18:04 -0700

New pictures from Fiji of new snake

2008 Great Fiji Butterflyfish Count Results presented at the Fiji Islands Conservation Science Forum 5th - 7th August 2009 - The Great Fiji Butterflyfish Count

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:43:42 -0700

The 2009 inaugural Fiji Islands Conservation Science Forum (FICSF) provided an excellent platform for the Butterflyfish Count organizing committee to present its findings to the greater scientific and conservation organizations in Fiji as well as to the general public. The presentation was made by Chinnamma Reddy on behalf of the committee.

http://scuba-diving-fiji.com/news/121-ultimate-eco-escapes-sport-diver-magazine-sept-2009

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:37:42 -0700

"DOING THE RIGHT thing isn't always easy. But as destinations across the globe continue to adopt innovative ways to conserve resources and protect the reefs and animals we love, choosing to help the planet becomes less chore-like and more pleasurable. Get active by swimming alongside whale sharks to help collect data, or help remove the killer that`s slowly claiming Micronesian reefs. Or, simply relax, retreating to eco-minded sanctuaries where solar-heating and local gardens help reduce global impacts. Whether heading to Utila, Vieques, Dominica, Fiji, Kangaroo Island or Yap, doing the right thingjust got easier."