Waitabu Marine Park

Fiji's Oldest Marine Park

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
    • Photo Credits
  • About the Park
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Map & Location
    • Admission & Rules
    • Review Us on TripAdvisor
  • Park Management
  • Partner Links
  • Marine Life
    • Featured Creature
  • Community Culture
    • Fijian Customs
    • Fijian History
  • Waitabu News
    • Fiji MPA News
You are here: Home / Park Management

Park Management

‘In village life, we help each other and work together. Everything is done as a community. We are all proud of what we have achieved together over the last ten years and over the next ten years, we would like to share our Marine Park with even more visitors and for it to become a truly self-sustaining operation to assist us all here in the village.’

(paraphrased from interview with Chief Tui Nasau)

Conserving for the Future

Located on Fiji’s Taveuni Island, Waitabu Marine Reserve is a vibrant reef set aside for the benefit of snorkel tourism and environmental education. After conducting a marine life survey, analgesic pills online, with help from Helen Sykes of Resort Support, the traditional rural village of Waitabu decided in 1998 to set aside this area as a “no-take” reserve to replenish marine life and fish stocks. In place of income earned from fishing, the villagers lead snorkel tours to the marine park, promoting small-scale marine tourism as a consistent source of income for the villagers.

Community Investment

Waitabu Park Staff, Lavena village manager and CORAL staff, 2008

Waitabu Park Staff, Lavena village manager and CORAL staff, 2008

The reserve is part of the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area Network (FLMMA) and, as a division of the Bouma National Heritage Park is managed by the Bouma communities and supported by CORAL, Resort Support and many other NGOs.

In 2004, Resort Support reported that in six years after the reserve was set aside, the fish life appeared to have reached a normal population level and invertebrates, such as giant clams, had reached breeding size. As of June 2004, the tourism project had earned around USD $12,000 for the community.*

Visitor Contribution

As each visitors enters the park, they not only contribute to the management and protection of this pristine area, they also contribute to the success of the community. Fees provide funding to conduct biological studies, maintain the park and support education projects. Funds also provide the community with village infrastructure and support community health needs.

Remaining Challenges

Although the Waitabu Marine Park does not allow fishing, poachers from nearby villages come to fish in the otherwise untouched area. Enforcement of the no-take zone is difficult, as the park is not legally protected but is set aside and preserved by the community.  As an alternative, many villages of Fiji are providing benefits to the wider community as an incentive to support no-take zones.

*Vuki, V., M. Naqasima and R. Vave, 2000, Status of Fiji’s Coral Reefs, Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) Report.

Visiting The Park

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

Find out more about planning your visit.

News from Waitabu

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

More News...

  • TripAdvisor
Costa Polarized Sunglasses
Waitabu Marine Park, Fiji logo

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

Elia

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 >>

Waitabu Marine Park

Waitabu Marine Park

Sign up for our Newsletter

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Follow us on Twitter

My Tweets

News from Fiji MPA’s

  • Waitabu Marine Park Ruggers U21 Team @e 15th Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s Tournament 2022
  • Traditional Nuqa harvest at Waitabu signifies a peaceful and harmonised Vanua!
  • Thesis: Vanua as Environment: Conservation, Farming, and Development in Waitabu, Fiji
  • TripAdvisor

Like us on Facebook

Like us on Facebook

© 2023 · Waitabu Marine Park · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Privacy Tools

 

Loading Comments...