Tropical Marine Biology and Conservation in Fiji

Overview

Head on out in the clear blue waters of the South Pacific Ocean, where you will learn or improve your diving in one of the world’s most beautiful tropical regions, while discovering a breathtaking underwater environment.

Join an international team of participants on a marine biology expedition which focuses on the collection of important data on marine species from underwater research dives. This research becomes the foundation for local communities and organisers to make better decisions to improve sustainability in the area. The project is geared towards providing long term benefits to locals through strategies helping to guarantee food security, not only for current generations, but future ones too.

Please note, this program offers durations of up to 24 weeks. Speak to your Country Expert for more details of extending your stay in the country.

Highlights Include
- Learning new scuba diving skills;
- Conducting underwater surveys in the warm, turquoise waters of the Pacific;
- Spending time getting to know the local community and their traditional villages;
- Teaching children about environmental conservation during weekly school visits,
- Assisting with community development projects
- Discover a myriad of fascinating marine creatures to study;
- Enjoy island hopping, stunning remote island locations, scuba diving, snorkelling,
traditional ceremonies, idyllic traditional Fijian villages, white beaches, climbing
volcanic mountains, enjoying breathtaking scenery;
- Cultural immersion in the Fijian way of life;
- Learning to speak Fijian.

Scuba Diving Requirements and Additional Courses
You will spend the majority of your time on this program scuba diving and as such you need to be qualified to at least PADI Open Water, or equivalent if joining for 4 weeks. Non divers can join for 8 week or longer durations, and GVI will supply you with all the training you need to be certified up to PADI Advanced Open Water. The 4-week duration is only open for divers already qualified to PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent. For non-divers wishing to attend for 4-weeks, we can recommend local dive centers that will help you qualify before your intended start date.

Perhaps you wish to add to your scuba diving skill set, which can be done by taking an extra course at a discounted rate. Check out our available ‘Add-Ons’ via the “Book Now” button on this page, or mention to you Country Expert if you are interested in finding out more.

Program Details

Project Life

You will first complete an initial training phase where you will learn to accurately identify locally targeted fish, invertebrate or coral species. Training will involve snorkel and dive point outs with GVI staff, as well as learning benthic, fish, coral or invertebrate species.

You will be based on GVI’s Caqalai Island base in basic dormitory accommodation with your fellow volunteers with a communal kitchen, living and work area, taking turns with base duties on a rotational basis.

Depending on weather conditions, we aim for everyone to have 1 or 2 dives/snorkels each day, 5 days a week, during which you will conduct underwater surveys after you complete your training. Besides diving, you should expect to be involved in additional projects and activities, including training sessions, marine debris surveys and removal, environmental education sessions and other community development work depending on local and project needs. You will also be required to complete base duties.

Weekends are usually yours to rest up and relax, or perhaps even explore some of the surrounding area, all depending on the project needs and requirements.

Project Details

GVI has partnered with local NGOs and organisations in order to identify the best ways to assist the community to conserve their marine resources. The following research priorities have been identified:

- Data collection on targeted fish species
- Habitat mapping for coral reefs and marine environments
- Development of an environmental education and awareness program for local schools and communities.
- Development of terrestrial and marine environmental best practice on Caqalai Island
- Supporting various community development initiatives on neighbouring islands

GVI works closely with the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area Network and the Fiji Ministry of Sports & Youth to ensure that the impact of this research and program remains is both relevant and useful for the wider community.

How this project makes a difference
The communities with which we work do not have access to the necessary resources to carry out regular data collection in their fishing grounds and anecdotally there has been a significant reduction in coral abundance and fish stocks, due to natural disaster events and unsustainable fishing practice. Data collected on our volunteer powered surveys is presented to the local community groups along with alternative livelihood methods and management strategies to help local stakeholders to make informed decisions with regards to their vital marine resources and long term food security.

Caqalai’s short, mid, and long-term objectives:
All of our programs have short, mid and long-term objectives that fit with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This enables us to report on our collaborative impact across the world in a streamlined manner, measuring which UN SDGs we are making a substantial contribution to. Furthermore, this will help our local partners and communities measure and visualize their contribution to the UN SDGs.

Upon arrival to base, you will be educated about the history of the UN SDGs. You will learn about the specific goals of your location, the long-, mid- and short-term objectives, and also clarification of how your personal, shorter-term involvement contributes to these goals on a global level.

Our aim is to educate you on local and global issues, so that you continue to act as active global citizens after your program, helping to fulfill our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.

Learn about the long-term objectives you will be contributing to in Caqalai:
1. PROTECTION and MONITORING- Establish locally managed marine areas with villages of Moturiki in keeping with community led management plans
2. EDUCATION- capacity building within key stakeholders to ensure strong environmental leadership in the future
3. LIVELIHOODS- Research and introduce methods of alternative livelihoods to generate new sources of income for local communities to reduce dependence on damaged fisheries for income
4. RESILIENCE- Reduce the vulnerability of communities to the negative impacts of climate change through awareness and training in adaptation techniques and disaster preparedness
5. COLLABORATION - Encourage good governance, inter-organisational collaboration and inter-village cooperation

What's Included

What's Not Included

Exploration

Participating with GVI not only allows you to participate on programs assisting disadvantaged communities or endangered ecosystems, but it also offers wonderful opportunities to travel in the local area in your down time or further afield after your program. Many decide to travel after volunteering, solidifying the lifetime friendships established on the programme.

Our long term field staff are a great source of advice and are here to help you make the most of your time abroad. Remember to ask about discounts on local activities and side trips through your association with GVI. Our field teams have helped us put together the following information on trips and travel options in Fiji!

Optional Side Trips
Fiji is a beautiful and exotic destination where you will find picturesque white sand beaches, world class dive sites, and Fiji’s famous culture of hospitality and warmth. As an island nation, many of your potential activities are water based! Starting locally, just a short boat ride away you can visit the famous pod of dolphins that reside all year round on Moon Reef or hike into forests and swim in hidden waterfalls or visit one of Fiji’s famous island resorts.

In the water, for those that are not dive qualified you could enrol in a scuba diving course and dive the various dive sites in the region, home to abundant marine life, colourful corals and steep drop-offs. Get lucky with your dive, and visibility can exceed a massive 40m.

Fiji’s capital city, Suva, is only a few hours from all our project sites, known for its relaxed atmosphere, energetic nightlife, large farmers market and atmospheric port. Here you can visit the Fiji Museum, where you can find ancient tribal artefacts, one of the best exhibitions on tribal art in the Pacific, or read up on Fiji’s cannibal past. The old historical capital of Fiji, Levuka, which makes for an interesting day trip, is accessible by ferry and small boat and located on the nearby Ovalau Island.

Further Travelling Opportunities
A little further afield, the possibilities just keep on coming. Explore the town of Nadi with its bustling market, nearby hot springs at Sabeto or get a feel for the local atmosphere at a rugby match. From Pacific Harbour, join a river safari into the heart of Fiji or dive with bull sharks in Bega Lagoon, one of the world’s most famous shark dives.

After your program you could try island hopping around the 20 volcanic islands of the Yasawa group. These remote islands are characterised by white beaches, crystal blue lagoon and dramatic rugged hills, some with summits 600 metres above sea level.

Staying on dry land, you might consider a trip to the Sigatoka National Park, where you’ll find a miniature desert of rolling sand dunes or a more relaxing option would be the Coral Coast and the Kula Eco Park, Fiji’s only wildlife park.