VOLIVOLI BEACH RESORT has been active in working hand-in-hand with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Fijian Government, Flora Family, MacArthur Foundation, Pacific Community, Rescue, AFD Fonds Francais Pour as well as the local Mataqali (traditional landowners) in establishing & setting up the Vatu-I-Ra Conservation Park. There are three zones in the Vatu-I-Ra Conservation Park, both marine & terrestrial environments, which covers an area of 110.5 square km's. As Fiji's premier dive resort diving the Bligh Water (considered to be the 'soft coral capital of the world' & Fiji's # 1 dive region), the protection for this area is close to their hearts.
They have recently obtained a foreshore lease on the two house reefs directly in front of the resort, and are now working with the local Mataqali & local government to have these reefs area approved & ratified, as a marine reserve with a no-take area.
The resort consistently runs a range of internationally recognised marine & ecology courses including Sea Turtle Ecology, Shark Ecology, Manta & Ray Ecology, Marine Ecology, Coral Identification & Fish Identification.
Several months ago the Resort entered into a partnership with the University of South Australia, where they established anemone trails (10 dive & 10 snorkel trails) to monitor change. Although still early days, they're hoping to collect data that shows results on surrounding changes, growth & activity in a range of areas & depths.
MANGROVE REPLANTING - replanting programs enlist the support from both local & international schools. Working side by side with the resort's team they repopulate mangroves by first growing seedlings, then replanting in designated locations throughout the Suncoast. According to the participants its fun has good community involvement & is showing great results.
VOLIVOLI ECO WARRIORS - a program that is predominantly focused around 5 to 14-year old children & amongst other things, covers: Reef walks around low tide with marine critter identification & traditional Fijian fish traps, Mangrove exploration & understanding of their place in the ecosystem, Coconut husking, Snorkeling on the house reef ( techniques, fish iD), Basket weaving/jewelry making.
Volivoli Beach Resorts is committed to the environment, coordinating & running events with the local community & schools around days like World Ocean Day, World Environment Day, World Sea Turtle Day, & Earth Day. These events boost the education on these issues & create an involvement with the local community & schools, which in turn creates an understanding of the protection of the marine environment benefiting everyone.
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The Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park