The South Pacific Projects team are wonderful people. Before I travelled to Fiji I had never been SCUBA diving, but thanks to the expert teaching of their Dive Leader Helen McGrath, I am not only SCUBA certified but also a PADI Rescue Diver! The weekends were just as wild as the weekdays, and after a fun dive on Saturday morning we got to kick back and relax in the sun with some of the coolest people I have ever met. Then when Saturday nights rolled around, we all let loose. We had a Lovo feast for dinner, a traditional method of cooking gorgeous food underground for the whole afternoon. Then we got busy dancing in the sand and with each other. I had so much fun; I don’t even know how to begin to describe it. Finally there are the other volunteers. This project appears to attract a certain type of positive person. People who love to have fun, love adventure, love travelling, in general just love to live life to the fullest (I may have taken that from a Miller Light commercial). On the expedition I met people from England, Scotland, America, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Australia, Germany and New Zealand. All the volunteers I lived and worked with for those twelve weeks were wonderful and I left Fiji having made some lifelong friends.

Like I said, Fiji was the single greatest experience of my life, and I can’t wait to volunteer with South Pacific Projects again.

Wesley Langston – Texan (and proud of it!)

A National Moratorium prohibiting the killing, harming or molesting of any marine turtles including their meat, eggs or shell was first enforced in 2004 by the Fijian Government. It was recently extended for a further ten years by the Fijian Cabinet until 2019. Indigenous Fijians are still able to legally harvest marine turtles if they obtain prior approval from the Fisheries Department. In response to the ongoing threat to marine turtles in Fiji, in 2008 the Fijian Sea Turtle Steering Committee (FSTSC) was formed after a two year effort to coordinate and manage conservation efforts. The FSTSC compiled a recovery plan for marine turtles in Fiji with the ultimate objective to increase marine turtle populations so that they can then be sustainably harvested by indigenous Fijians. South Pacific Projects is represented on the Fijian Sea Turtle Steering Committee – Research Working Group by Research Director Tristan Simpson. The working group is comprised of members from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Mamanuca Environment Committee (MES), the Institute of Marine Resources (IMR), World Conservation Society (WCS), The Fisheries Department, the Fijian Locally Managed Marine Area Network (FLMMA) and the National Trust of Fiji (NTF). The research working group was formed towards the end of 2009 in response to the marine turtle moratorium extension. Several other working groups were also formed which cover other essential conservation efforts such as education and policy-making.

The FSTSC research working group met recently to solidify its mandate and plan for 2010. The mandate will be submitted to the Fisheries Department for their approval and endorsement. One goal outlined by the mandate in which South Pacific Projects will take a major part, is to establish a set of standardised monitoring methods for a nationwide approach to marine turtle conservation. South Pacific Projects has been requested to research, trial and initiate this standard set of marine turtle research methodologies by the research working group, which will then be presented at the next working group meeting. Currently marine turtle research in Fiji is mostly sporadic or circumstantial, and although marine turtles previously have been researched in Fiji there is a lack of consistent data collected to establish any trends. Without carrying out ongoing surveys of both nesting and foraging populations, it is much more difficult to establish plans for effective marine turtle conservation, management and research. The new standardised set of methods will counter the current inconsistent data collection trends. By working together on a nationwide approach with management and research institutes, the tourism industry, government bodies and community groups we aim to reverse the decline of marine turtle populations in Fijian waters. Although a greater collaboration is needed throughout the Pacific Islands to aid in the conservation of marine turtles, Fiji can lead the way and set an example to neighbouring Pacific Nations.

When you join South Pacific Projects as a volunteer, you will be actively engaged in marine turtle conservation. This will involve swimming along local reefs to count turtles and mark down identifying features to add to our database on the local Hawksbill and Green turtle foraging populations. Each individual turtle that you see is, quite literally, a miracle of survival. International turtle researchers now believe that less than one in ten thousand new hatchlings reaches sexual maturity. We are determined to help preserve this beautiful creature and we know that when you see turtles in the water whilst snorkelling or SCUBA diving with us, you will find it a remarkable and memorable experience.

Tristan Simpson – Research Director

So what can I say about South Pacific Projects Fiji? Well to begin with, if you fancy the idea of hearing the sea gently lapping the shore twenty feet from you every morning, seeing some of the most amazing sunrises/sunsets and starry nights anywhere in the world, stepping off the beach into the water and seeing more fish than you’ve ever seen in my life (yes stepping off of the BEACH!), meeting some amazing people and making friends from all over the world, eating enough rice to sink an armada of ships along with spending time with some of the friendliest village people in the world then Fiji is definitely for you! And that’s just for starters, I’ve got so many stories of so many visits, days, dives and trips that I couldn’t possibly squeeze them all of them into this blog. Suffice to say, I’ve never been able to tell anyone the full extent of the amazing time’s I had! From seeing eight Whitetip Reef Sharks, three Hawksbill turtles and a lone Napoleon Wrasse on a SNORKEL to the time I got within ten feet of a beautiful Eagle Ray with a wingspan as wide as my arms, to the time we spotted a pod of leaping Spinner Dolphins from the dive boat.

Want fun times? Go to Fiji.

Want to dive until you can’t dive anymore? Go to Fiji!

Want to have the adventure of a lifetime? Go to Fiji!

Mat Watson-Gunn

A quick check with Google Earth was enough to get my appetite whetted – situated in the middle of Kubuna Waters; I could see the wide range of habitat within minutes of the island. Just a short boat ride in one direction reveals crystal clear outer barrier drop-offs and in the other direction, never ending coral and sponge gardens of the lagoon maze.

In a few short days our team dived ourselves silly, trained the south Pacific Projects team in coral ID techniques and recorded over 300 species of hard corals in the process. Not bad in just nine dives.

Coral reefs never cease to amaze me. After 30 years of diving I can still drop in the water and be amazed and so it was at Leleuvia. To the staff and crew of South Pacific Projects, we say so-long and thanks for all the corals (and fish).

Russell Kelley – Program Director
Coral Identification Capacity Building Program
byoguides.com

We eagerly drew up beside them, but they were clearly off somewhere more important. Despite our rapid kitting up, by the time we made it into the water they were no where to be seen, not that it mattered, our dive was still beautiful.

To top it all off, we completed our Benthic tests!  Waiting for us when we arrived back from the dive was an amazing breakfast, consisting of Lele’s legendary homemade bread, and a fried egg no less! It was genius. The morning then proved useful for working on our tans and our laundry, both equally important. After chilling out with everyone, the conch was blown for lunch. We couldn’t contain our excitement when we realised that there were chicken salad sandwiches waiting for us, amazingly with potato chips! This was shaping up to be a great food day!

Howard surprised us with the idea of going for a snorkel. We all hopped on the boat and went to Moturiki fringing reef, on Jone’s recommendation- what a recommendation! Within the first five minutes we saw our first turtle, we were all totally enchanted by his graceful movements (in the words of Jane). As he swam into the blue we turned away and quite unbelievably saw another turtle.

They swam away together, leaving us all “having a moment”. You wouldn’t believe us if we said that we saw yet another turtle over the reef wall, BUT WE DID! Whilst recovering from seeing the turtles, we swam with three white tips, a school of massive snappers (they have a real presence on the reef, don’t they Tristan?) and loads of parrotfish.

After we returned from the snorkel, tired but happy, we quickly prepared for Miri’s 8th birthday party. The surprise took place in Hammock city, the staff did an amazing job and the table full of goodies was enough to make a fully grown man (Howard) speechless. Possibly the best cake ever made.  Miri was thrilled with her cards and presents, and of course the obligatory birthday bumps. A stunning sunset topped off the day as we watched it set over Viti Levu, with a cold beer and the island cat, Whitey, in tow.

As stated earlier, this was set to be the best food day ever. At dinner Spaghetti Bolognaise did not disappoint, it was truly delicious. What more need we say – what a day!
Lucy and Jane

Going to Fiji was probably the most fun, adventurous, exciting and unforgettable experience I have ever had.

It was the type of experience that seemed unreal at times, the type that makes you look around and wonder “Am I really here right now and is this really happening”? I was living on an island and scuba diving every day, what more could you ask for? Not only was the project in itself nothing short of amazing, but sharing it with other remarkable volunteers from all around the world made it that much more special. The memories and experiences that I took away will follow me wherever I go in life.

I made unforgettable friends, did things, and saw things that not many people will ever be able to say they did. I had only planned on going to Fiji for six weeks, after staying for ten weeks I still wasn’t ready to leave. I took a term off from my second year of university where I am currently studying conservation and wildlife biology, to travel and see a different part of the world, all while including the conservation aspect. It was the opportunity of a lifetime that I couldn’t find anywhere else and certainly not in school. We learned about fish, invertebrates, the coral reefs, surveying, research techniques, and the Fijian culture; all of which you couldn’t learn about in the same respect through books and classes.

By volunteering to take the time to study, learn and conduct surveys, I got to help conserve the coral reefs and its marine life by collecting data that decides where to put marine protected areas.

It was the experience of a lifetime that made me feel productive and good about what I was doing. Aside from the project being amazing, making friends with the local Fijian people and learning about them was wonderful for me. I created what felt like a new home and family on the island with the Fijians and the rest of my fellow volunteers. Going to the schools and working with the school children was always so fun and enjoyable.

Fijians have to be the nicest, most fun, and pleasant people I have ever met and worked with, and I found living in their culture to be very fascinating. If I could I’d do it all over again. I’ll never forget all the knowledge I gained, the friends I made, and the laughs we shared.

Leleuvia 2009 – It’s been several weeks since I came back from Fiji; my tan has long disappeared, my nose is running again and I’ve finally managed to wash all the sand and salt out of my hair. But nonetheless I recently realized that in most conversations with my friends, I start by saying “When I was in Fiji….”.

To be completely honest I was extremely nervous when I flew to Fiji. I had talked to Howard and read a lot about the project, and everything seemed amazing; nonetheless I still had serious doubts about whether it would be how I imagined it to be. Like with all things I find on the internet, I was initially distrustful about the legitimacy of the project and my mind started wander imagining the worst possible circumstances.

However when I finally reached Leleuvia I was (and I very rarely say this) positively surprised. All of the Resort staff and South Pacific Projects staff, as well as the other volunteers were exceptionally friendly, funny and helpful.

What surprised me the most were the accommodations; the huts we lived in were far bigger and more sophisticated than I had expected and the beds were actually surprisingly comfortable. The classroom was also very up to date and well equipped and the bar and restaurant were comfortable enough for us to sit there for hours on end. But despite all the amenities and accommodations what is most important about Leleuvia is that after all it is an island paradise and in the long run that was the only thing that mattered to me. As you can imagine the night sky in the South Pacific is spectacular, and it entranced me every time I stared up at the sky.

I would say I’m quite an experienced diver and I have gone diving in some spectacular places on this earth, and after taking part in the project I certainly consider Fiji as one of these places. What was different and very interesting about diving with South Pacific Projects was that due to the nature of the survey work we would drop into uncharted (for divers) waters and experience sites no one has ever seen before. In an age in which even the surface of the moon is pedantically charted, diving in untouched waters evoked a certain pioneer spirit within me. Although that meant that on some of the dives we dropped in on coral rubble and sand, the other times in which we saw flourishing coral reef systems more than made up for these.

Although the dives were obviously the highlight of the day, we did not have to go far to experience the amazing flora and fauna of the region. Snorkeling in the Leleuvia house reef was almost like swimming in an aquarium. Often we would see more on a recreational afternoon snorkel than on the dive. I always especially enjoyed following sea snakes as the scavenged among the branching corals. The reef is especially amazing during the night snorkels organized by the Project staff.

The staff were all exceptionally helpful and friendly. Out of experience I would have thought that the volunteers would have a sort of ambivalent relationship with the staff, as after all they are the ones running the project and the volunteers are there to work for them. This preconception got shattered pretty much the moment I met the staff. Their lighthearted way of teaching us about the local ecosystem and then instructing us how to survey it made it a lot easier for me to learn these things quickly and without losing interest. Furthermore they were very fun to hang out with on the dives and after the survey work was done for the day.

If you’ve read everything up to here you might have realized that I could go on for hours talking about the trip, but ill spare you by simply saying it was amazing and I’ve met incredible people that I still have contact to. So if you have some spare time on your hands and don’t know what to do with yourself, Leleuvia Island with South Pacific Projects is where you want to be. If you have any further questions feel free to contact me at: maxic1991@hotmail.com

Max Claussen

I used to have no idea what scuba diving would be like, but now I am confident to carry out underwater surveys and even save others now I’m a Rescue Diver!

I would like to thank all the staff members for being so thoughtful and helpful, especially my Dive Instructor Helen. I got really tanned on the island and besides that, I feel much healthier now too.

You may be wondering why this blog for a six week expedition is being posted during the fifth week….. Well the thing is, Leleuvia is what we like to call a worm hole (a most beautiful one at that). 

Secondly, none of us came to this tiny pearl of a south-pacific desert island to sit and type, the only reason we are doing so now is that Howard has withdrawn food and water privileges until we do (secret message: get us out of here!!!).

But seriously, the time has gone by in what I fondly refer to as a completely ridiculous manner, quick but not quick. It feels like we have been here forever but time is marching on, maybe that’s just island time.

Although the day we floated to shore seems like just yesterday, we now know each other pretty damn well (sometimes in ways that might have been better kept secret).  For example, Tristan never takes off his wife beater, Lele (chef extraordinaire) can work a pole like a madwoman, and Katie is deathly afraid of worms and Howard doesn’t have night vision quite like Tom does, especially when it comes to trees…. [Ed – I removed the more salacious/unsavoury ones. Keep it clean].

The island staff are our local family, and they are incredible.  Always happy and bright they do a great job of keeping things running smoothly despite our constant need for tea, absurd displays of “dancing” on Saturday nights, and general wild neediness – can I get a loofah and a strawberry daiquiri over here please?  They all seem to deal with us in a different way, whether it be Buna and Vika’s breathtaking smiles, Dav’s throwing coconuts on the cinema roof when we’re watching a scary movie, or Jone our Boat Driver mocking our feeble attempts at Fijian.

Writing this short blog entry is no real way to convey just how great a time everyone is having. In the last ten minutes we have come to two conclusions; 1) We wish we could be here for the next trip and 2) It’s time for a swim!

Peace. Leah

Today we headed over to Uliabau Primary school on Moturiki to start up a conservation club for the kiddos. We started off the hour by doing a phenomenal rendition of the Harry Potter Puppet Pals (you tube it if you haven’t seen it), South Pacific Projects style.

We were dancing and chanting and wiggling around while shouting out things like ‘recycle!’ and ‘ecotourism!’ Immediately after our chant a few of us got the kids pumped up by performing a rap we had written. While the kids enjoyed it, I can assure you that our rap careers both started and ended in that one performance.

We then split into small groups to chat and really get to know the kids. Conversations ranged from things the kids like to do (swim, fish, play sports) to family life to favourite animals to things they’ve learned about conservation already. It appears as though they’ve been taught about re-using and are attempting to put recycling into practice.

We’re hoping to teach them about endangered species, recycling, ecotourism, energy, rainforests, water, and other things related to the environment and conservation through games, activities, field trips and crafts. One of our other objectives of the day was to come up with a club name.

Peter and I were with two boys who were adamant about being named the ‘shark killers.’ Hmm… It seems as though this club is coming together at exactly the right time! We ended up dropping ‘killers’ and Club Qio (shark) was born. After we had voted on the club name, we headed out of the classroom for a relay race.

Each person had to wear fins, a mask and a snorkel and run (I use that term loosely… ‘Flop’ may be more accurate) across the school yard and back. It was great fun and got the kids really excited to come back for more Club Qio fun!

The Rap:
Hey kids, what’s the deal?
Do you know what’s up with your favourite meal?
Do you know where it’s from; do you know what it eats?
Well then listen up to our awesome beats!
We’re gonna play some games and we’re gonna have some fun
Maybe even learn about the reefs and the sun
Together we can snorkel and swim in the sea
Check out all the fish and where they like to be
We’ll walk on your trail and take trash that we find
Use it to make something one of a kind
We’re here to learn and teach some too
Come join our club and we’ll kick it with you!

Katie