OHANA Fiji Beach Resort (FOR)
Igniting Passion for Ocean Conservation in Kids
BY ASHNEEL CHAND – On June 12, the International School Suva hosted its first-ever “Veivueti Kids Ocean Conference” which brought together students, teachers, and ocean advocates from private and public schools in Suva and Nadi. The aim of the conference was to promote ocean conservation and sustainability, which is quite fitting since the month of June is dedicated to the Ocean.
The event displayed presentations from students in grades 4-8, where they got the opportunity to show their knowledge and passion for ocean conservation. There were presentations lead by different groups of ocean advocates and organizations to discuss about their roles in actively protecting the ocean, as well as what they can impart with the children. Maryanne Shaw, FORs Environmental Officer was part of the youth led NGO called Conservation Catalysts and was able to discuss her role as an environment officer in the resort and network with different stakeholders.\
OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort (MAM)
Celebrating Shark Week at MAM
SANYA SHANTANU SHETE – Every year, an estimated 100 million sharks fall victim to human activities. Through commercial fishing and overexploitation of oceanic resources, we are drastically reducing the populations of sharks that have roamed our seas for 420 million years—100 million years before trees existed. Sharks play a pivotal role in our ecosystems, and their decline necessitates urgent action to raise awareness, educate, and conserve these ancient and essential creatures.
Shark Week at MAM kicked off with an exhilarating Whale Shark excursion, during which guests were thrilled to spot two Whale Sharks, the largest shark species in the world. This remarkable sighting set a strong tone for the week.
The excitement of the week was the arrival of a special guest, Gibbs Kuguru, a National Geographic explorer and renowned shark researcher. During his stay, Gibbs collaborated with me, the resident Marine Biologist, on a pilot study of local reef shark species around the resort. Our research yielded insightful data on the population abundance, curiosity, and inter-specific hierarchy of our local sharks. As the data collection progresses, I aim to deepen our understanding of the significance of our resort in supporting these shark populations. To conclude this extraordinary week, Gibbs delivered an engaging sunset talk on Swing Beach. The event saw an exceeding number of guests, with every seat on the beach filled. It was a beautiful sight to witness people from around the world united by their shared curiosity in sharks. Gibbs shared his journey through shark conservation, recounting anecdotes from his work with great white sharks and highlighting the realities of the shark meat trade. Our guests left with a greater appreciation and knowledge of these magnificent creatures.
Shark Week at MAM was a resounding success, bringing together conservation, education, and awe-inspiring experiences to foster a deeper connection with our ocean’s vital inhabitants.
Our next event is World Whale Shark Day on August 30th. We have some very exciting ideas in the works to commemorate this very special day. A school trip will be held, with a focus on whale sharks, of course. We will also create some special coral frame structures, in the shape of a whale shark too! This will be a guest orientated activity for them to partake in.
