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You are here: Home / News and Events / Waitabu eco tourism paper 2008

Waitabu eco tourism paper 2008

Waitabu Ecotourism Paper 2008 on SlideShare.

Waitabu eco tourism from Marine Ecology Consulting

 

Abstract

In April 1998, a small indigenous community began one of the earliest Community-managed Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in Fiji, beginning a decade of commitment to protecting reef life for future generations. The project was a founder member of the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas (FLMMA) network, and one of the few FLMMA projects to include an
income-generating community-managed tourism operation.

Annual biological monitoring since the project’s inception, undertaken by a team of scientists and community members, utilised in-water survey methods, including Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) for key invertebrate species, Manta Tows for  broad-scale habitat and invertebrate assessment, Point Intercept Transects for coral cover, and Fish Underwater Visual Census (UVC). These surveys demonstrated increased fish populations within the MPA after 3 years, and increased invertebrate populations after 5 years. Fish and invertebrates important to local subsistence and commerce are harvested in the spill-over area near the MPA. Some poaching occurs inside the MPA, so far not significantly impacting overall populations, suggesting the ecosystem is now adequately robust to withstand some harvesting.

Coral growth was retarded by a bleaching event in 2000, but herbivory has reduced macroalgal cover within the MPA,  creating better coral-growth substrate, accelerating coral settlement and recovery in comparison with heavily fished areas where macroalgae covers most available substrate, preventing new coral settlement. A small coral restoration project is thriving inside the MPA.

Socio-economic surveys have shown the MPA to have economic and social importance to the local inhabitants, and the value of the MPA as a reserve for conservation and future fish stocks has been reinforced by the income-generating potential of eco-tourism activities.

Keywords: Community Managed Marine Areas, Ecotourism, Sustainable development, Long-term biological monitoring, Coral bleaching, Habitat phase shift.

 

Acknowledgments

This paper is dedicated to the memory of Sala Apao, the project founder and leader from inception until her untimely death in 2005. We congratulate the leaders and the community of Waitabu village and of Vanua Bouma for their foresight and continuing dedication to this project, and wish we had space to name them all.

The New Zealand Overseas Development Agency (now NZAID) has remained a long-term supporter of the project, administered through the National Trust of the Fiji Islands. Although the project has frequently been without regular funding, many organisations have supported individual aspects of the work, including Aquaventure Divers, Beqa Adventure Divers, The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), Fiji Water, Pacific Sun Airlines, Quiksilver Clothing, and Reef Check.

Annual biological monitoring has been fully supported by Resort Support and Marine Ecology Consulting.

Funding from The Coral Reef Initiative for the South Pacific (CRISP) made it possible for this paper to be presented.

Published in: Environment

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You have two options to visit the park.

One is the F$75 Cultural Experience Tour (includes Refreshments,Entertainments & Bilibili Ride) or for those travelling on a light budget, the F$50 Snorkeling Tour. You can save F$5 per person for groups of 4 or more.
Visits should be arranged in advance, please call 679-820-1999 or 679-930-4588

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There is a saying in Waitabu that if everything is alright in the community, the nuqa will appear. When they do, there is a ritual called "ta nuqa" (literally, fetching nuqa) performed at the beach to catch these tiny animals.

Traditional Nuqa harvest at Waitabu signifies a peaceful and harmonised Vanua!

There is a saying in Waitabu that if everything is alright in the community, the nuqa will appear. When they do, there is a ritual called “ta nuqa” (literally, fetching nuqa) performed at the beach to catch these tiny animals.

Thesis: Vanua as Environment: Conservation, Farming, and Development in Waitabu, Fiji

Vanua as Environment: Conservation, Farming, and Development in Waitabu, Fiji by Hao-Li Lin, BA, Anthropology, National Taiwan University, 2004 Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Defended and approved on March 16th, 2015

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Welcome to Waitabu Marine Park

Arrive in the tree-adorned island of Taveuni to discover a tropical paradise you’ve only dreamed about. Slip on your fins and mask and slide into the warm waters of Fiji. Let all the stress of everyday life fall away as you make your way along the magical reef of Waitabu.

The communities of Waitubu and Bouma came to protect their native fishing grounds in 1998. Their foresight and diligence has allowed visitors, like yourself, the opportunity to share in the beauty of the Waitabu Marine Park. These crystal-clear waters are home to the most amazing marine species you may ever see. Don’t be too surprised when you pass a sea turtle or find yourself following a gentle ray. You know you’re in paradise when you’ve landed in the Waitabu Marine Park.

Wake up and see the beautiful sunrise over the marine park as the start of every new day begins in Waitabu

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About Us

In 1998 the Waitabu Village of Taveuni declared its fishing grounds or "qoliqoli" to be "tabu" -- a no-take fishing zone. NZAID initially supported the designation with funds for biological surveys and administration. The Wainileli and the Bouma qoliqoli, were continually and heavily overfished, resulting in small fish stocks and damaged coral. Through the continuous drive of community members and non-governmental agencies, the region is now celebrating a healthy and abundant reef for the past 20 … Read More >>

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