Dolphin Conservation in Fiji
South Pacific Projects announces a unique new volunteer project. Spend two memorable weeks in the beautiful island paradise of Fiji where you will play an active role in the research and conservation of a resident pod of Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris).
*Two of our staff have just fundraised £4,735 for WDCS International!
Spinner dolphins are listed by the IUCN as ‘data deficient’. You can make a positive contribution to the long-term protection of this species whilst experiencing Fijian culture and hospitality at its best. This is the first project of its kind in the South Pacific and is being operated in collaboration with Global Vision International and will be led by Dr. Cara Miller, Pacific Islands Program Manager for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society International.
Dr. Miller will provide all of the necessary training in order that GVI volunteers can contribute to her current research of a small resident population of spinner dolphins at Moon Reef. Moon Reef is a tropical reef complex located 7.3km off the north-east coast of the main island of Viti Levu in the Fiji Islands.
There are two critical elements to this project, fulfilling the research objectives and raising awareness of marine conservation issues in the local communities. You will play an active part in all aspects of the work, guided in the first instance by both Dr. Miller. For more infomration and to find out how to book a place on this exciting new project, please visit the Global Vision International website.
Research
Dr. Miller’s research is to identify and study the behaviour of a resident pod of spinner dolphins. With the implementation of a local awareness-raising campaign, we aim to help the local community protect not only the Spinner dolphins, but the whole of their traditional fishing ground, which includes Moon Reef. South Pacific Projects believes that eco-tourism projects like this can empower local communities to manage their marine resources in more sustainable ways. The community can then make decisions that guarantee food security for future generations and protect marine biodiversity.
Volunteers will make daily boat trips out to Moon Reef to collect data; including photo-identification images, behavioural observations and acoustic recordings and study the behaviour of the dolphins. Afternoons will be spent checking and entering the data, compiling a photo catalogue of individual dolphins and recording their behaviour. After the initial briefings and training our staff will help volunteers prepare educational materials that can then be taken to the local schools and villages to raise awareness of conservation issues.
Conservation
South Pacific Projects is a non-profit organisation and we exist to work in partnership with local communities to empower those communities to establish community managed Marine Protected Areas (MPA). Marine Protected Areas have been demonstrably shown worldwide to benefit the marine ecosystems where they are placed and create more sustainable fisheries for the communities that rely on marine resources. To that end, South Pacific Projects became a member of the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area network in 2009.
FLMMA is a network of Government Departments, conservation NGO’s and most importantly, local communities from all over Fiji. By sharing knowledge and resources, local communities learn methods by which they can select areas of their traditional fishing grounds to close as an MPA and then monitor its performance. Dr. Miller and South Pacific Projects has been working with FLMMA and the eight villages of Dawasamu District to establish Moon Reef as a new Marine Protected Area. This was successfully achieved on April 24th at the inaugural meeting of the Dawasamu Environment Movement (DEM).
Other Activities
Once volunteers have completed their research duties for the day, there will be free time to visit local villages, relax at our research camp or even trek to a nearby waterfall for a refreshing plunge in the natural pools! You will also visit local schools to meet the Teachers and children and engage in awareness-raising activities about sustainable fisheries and the marine environment. This forms a very important overall aspect of the project. Nataleira village is just a stone’s throw from the volunteer accommodation that you may visit during your free time. Nataleira is one of eight villages that make up the district of Dawasamu.
Food and Accommodation
The project accommodation that we use is owned and operated by the local community. The members of the community that we work with are committed to ensuring that the Spinner dolphins of Moon Reef are protected. There are two levels of accommodation available comprising two comfortable bungalows built on a hill with a beautiful outlook over the islands and a Fijian dormitory style Eco-Lodge, which is operated by the community of Nataleira. There are bathrooms with flushing toilets and showers provided and en-suite facilities are available in the bungalows. Mains power is also provided and we think that you’ll agree that the views from the beach where you will take your home cooked meals are truly stunning.
The staff team comprises local Fijians from the surrounding villages who provide Fijian fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meals are taken as a group and are both delicious and filling. All of the food is either grown in the village, bought from local markets or fished from the sea by the locals. There are many returning guests to Moon Reef who come to soak up the wonderful relaxing atmosphere and enjoy the outstanding Fijian hospitality provided by the friendly and welcoming staff.
Financial Contribution
Volunteer contributions cover all of the operating costs of the project, including: Food and accommodation for the duration of the project, all internal transport arrangements, staff wages, research materials, boat fuel and a direct donation to the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society. Your donation will support Dr. Miller’s cetacean research in Fiji and provide a Scholarship to a local student to undertake a Masters Degree at the University of the South Pacific.
Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society
Established back in 1987, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), is the leading global charity dedicated to the conservation and welfare of all whales and dolphins (also known as cetaceans). WDCS is the world voice for the protection of these animals, creating pressure to bring about change. WDCS defends these remarkable creatures against the many threats that they face;
• Hunting
• Captivity
• Chemical and noise pollution
• Ship collisions (ship strikes)
• Entanglement in fishing nets (bycatch)
• Climate change
WDCS accomplishes this by taking money raised and investing it back into campaigns and projects across the globe that have a real impact. For more information about WDCS and the work they do all over the world, please visit
Dr. Cara Miller
Dr. Miller’s undergraduate studies focused on animal behaviour and marine biology; whereas her Master’s degree in Applied Statistics examined population models and field survey design for migratory species. She followed her Master’s degree with a four year project investigating habitat and abundance of a small resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in her gaining her PhD
.