Diving in Kadavu

The Great Astrolabe Reef

Kadavu is one of the less visited islands of Fiji which is precisely the reason why you should go there. No big resorts and fast food outlets here. Instead you can get a taste for the real Fiji, where the quickest transport is by boat, where the resorts are in tune with nature and where the true Fijian culture and warmth shines through. Part of Kadavu's charm lies in its secluded bays which can see you kayaking and snorkelling seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
The Great Astrolabe Reef, which curls away into the deep blue distance from the shores of the island, is what scuba diving in Kadavu is all about. Pristine hard corals in massed stands of colour abound, around which play a tremendous variety of marine life.

Highlights

Eagle Rock - One of The Great Astrolabe Reef's signature dives. Sunken boulders, pinnacles, narrow channels, sheer walls and a rugged, rocky sea floor combine to provide some of the most interesting topography you are likely to see. There is a great chance of seeing spotted eagle rays and there are other sights to watch out for such as large groupers and Napoleon wrasses, but it is the simply astonishing collection of hard corals here which makes this Kadavu diving site exceptional.

Diving in Kadavu

Kadavu Scuba Diving

Fiji Islands + Kadavu + All Types + Diving + All Prices has returned 4 results

Property Name		Country	Region	Photos	Map	Rates	Specials	Video	SlideShow	Price Category
Matava - The Astrolabe Hideaway		Fiji Islands	Kadavu							USD$50-100
Papageno Resort		Fiji Islands	Kadavu							USD$101-200
Waisalima Beach Resort & Dive Centre		Fiji Islands	Kadavu							USD$Under 50
Nagigia Island Surf Resort Fiji		Fiji Islands	Kadavu							USD$50-100

Kadavu Scuba Diving

Save Our Seas Foundation - Manta Rays: A new species?

Manta Rays: A new species? A second, and possibly third, species of manta ray has been discovered in the World’s oceans. This is the biggest news to date to come out of ray research, and its importance is the marine equivalent of discovering an unknown species of elephant. The discovery however, has implications that go far beyond the breaking news of scientific journals, as it will deeply affect real world conservation ideas and policies.

Andrea studies a manta ray off Mexico.

For the past five years the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) has sponsored Andrea Marshall, a PhD marine biologist in a quest to make advances in the scientific knowledge of these winged beauties of the sea, whose large triangular pectoral fins can span almost 8m in width and whose weight can reach over 2000kg. Manta rays, which are totally harmless and do not possess a stinging barb, are the largest of over 500 different species of rays and skates, and although divers have noted variations in physical appearance they were previously believed to be the same kind.

After suspecting the existence of a second species Andrea began studying other populations across the globe. Through genetic and morphological analysis she confirmed that there is indeed a second, and possibly a third, species of manta ray that exists across temperate, tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. The two species have mainly overlapping distributions, but their lifestyles differ greatly; one is migratory and the other is resident to particular areas along the coast.

Other differences between the two species lie in their colour, skin texture, reproductive biology, and the presence of a non-functioning type of sting on the tail of one of the species. The smaller, more commonly known manta ray, resides in the same areas year round and is often encountered at coral reefs where they congregate to be cleaned by parasite-eating fish in locations such as Hawaii, the Maldives, Mozambique, Australia, Japan and the Island of Yap. Due to their residential nature they face a grave threat from unsustainable fisheries, as other manta rays will not replace a dwindling population, making their regional extinction a likely possibility.

The more common resident manta ray. (Photo © Thomas Peschak)

The larger species of manta ray. (Photo © Andrea Marshall)

Far less is known about the larger species, as it appears to be more migratory and elusive, shying away from divers rather than seeking interaction as its smaller cousin often does. Andrea has only ever witnessed it arriving at sea-mounts or at particularly productive areas along the coastline to feed on plankton before disappearing into the blue once again. Little is known about its behaviour or migratory patterns, though it appears to be targeted heavily by fisheries, particularly in Southeast Asia, where thousands are killed each year. The discovery of two distinct species has huge implications for the conservation management and protection of these mysterious gentle giants.

The larger, ocean wanderer knows no borders, making collaboration between countries on its protection essential, whereas protective measure within countries must be enforced to avoid resident manta ray populations crashing. Habitat degradation, harassment by boat traffic and even divers who interact with them at critical habitats such as cleaning stations and breeding areas are other threats these graceful animals face. They also fall victim to ghost nets and are killed alongside many other marine creatures as by-catch.

Andrea’s obsession with sharks travelled with her from the tender age of five until university when she discovered how little was known about their cartilaginous cousins, manta rays. Undeterred by the difficulties such research would involve she sold her belongings and in 2003 moved to a small coastal village in southern Mozambique, to become the first marine biologist to study manta rays off the African coast. Through her observations of the unique spot patterning on the ventral surface of each ray Andrea has identified over 900 individuals on a single reef, and she believes southern Mozambique may boast the largest known population of manta rays in the world.

Discoveries about the reproductive behaviour of these highly social and inquisitive creatures have also been an important outcome of Andrea’s research. Manta rays are now known to give birth to a single large offspring of about 1.4m after a year of gestation and, once reaching maturity at about 4m across, typically produce a pup every other year. Elaborate and sophisticated courtship displays are performed and they may communicate with one another using specific body posturing and perhaps sound.

Watch a video of Andrea Marshall talking about her discovery.

SOSF aims to learn more about the role of marine species, particularly sharks and rays, and through this knowledge it hopes to raise awareness and conserve the marine realm. Andrea’s many hours underwater have produced information critically needed for the protection of these threatened animals. We now know that there are at least two species, but we need to know a great deal more about their population structure and distribution so that we can devise and implement improved protection measures.

Learn more about Andrea's research project in Mozambique here.

Save Our Seas Foundation - Manta Rays: A new species?

Manta Rays: A new species?

A second, and possibly third, species of manta ray has been discovered in the world's oceans. This is the biggest news to date to come out of ray research, and its importance is the marine equivalent of discovering an unknown species of elephant.

The discovery that was announced by Andrea Marshall at the first International Manta Symposium held in Montreal last July. The discovery has important implications as it will significantly affect real world conservation ideas and policies.

The Manta Network -- Save-the-Mantas

AdventureUs.com | Manta Madness Dive Package , offered by Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Manta Madness Dive Package

Offered by Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Come and dive with the Mantas of Kadavu on this awesome 10 day scuba diving package and stay at Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort directly on the Great Astrolabe Reef. 8 solid days of diving on the world renown Great Astrolabe Reef and Kadavu's all year round Manta Reef with Manta rays, devil rays and sharks. * 7 day of 2 tanks diving (14 dives) * 1 day of 3 tanks diving (3 dives) * 1 night dive * All day free access to shore diving at The Critter Junction * 10 nights in Oceanview Traditional Bure * All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, unlimited tea/coffee) * Airport and boat transfers to/from Kadavu airport * All taxes Price F$2799 per person (price based on Double Occupancy and valid to 31st March 2009)

Photos

AdventureUs.com | Manta Madness Dive Package , offered by Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Scientists Publish Good News for Green Turtles Long-Term Nesting Beach Protection Works

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HONOLULU, HI — This week in Global Ecology and Biogeography, encouraging news has emerged for one of the world's largest marine herbivores, the green turtle (Chelonia mydas). A new study shows that long-term protection of the sea turtles' nesting beaches is successful in achieving increases in the green turtle populations. 

The authors of the article, who research green turtles in Australia, Costa Rica, Japan, and the United States, analyzed nesting data from six of the world's major green turtle rookeries for which there are reliable long-term data of 25 years or more. The analysis shows that green turtle nesting on four beaches in the Pacific (Ogasawara, Japan; French Frigate Shoal, Hawaii, U.S.A.; and Heron and Raine Islands, Australia) and two beaches in the Atlantic (Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, U.S.A.; and Tortuguero, Costa Rica) have increased by an estimated four to fourteen percent each year over the past two to three decades. The increases in nesting varied considerably among the rookeries, most likely because historical and current exploitation of green turtles is different at each site.

"These results should be celebrated," said Milani Chaloupka, lead author of the report and vice chair of the IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group (MTSG). "They demonstrate that green turtle populations and presumably the green turtles' ecosystem roles can be recovered in spite of drastic population declines in the past." Sebastian Troëng, co-author, MTSG member, and senior director of regional marine strategies at Conservation International, said, "This analysis shines a light of hope on marine conservation efforts for endangered species and for biological diversity as a whole. Ambitious strategies including long-term protection of habitats and reduction of survival threats are working, and endangered species can be recovered."

Read full news here:
Scientists Publish Good News for Green Turtles Long-Term Nesting Beach Protection Works

Fiji Islands Marine Ecoregion

Fiji Islands Marine Ecoregion

The Fiji Islands Marine Ecoregion (view larger map) is considered the crossroads of the Pacific, by virtue of its geographical location. It is host to a unique ecological lattice threading and weaving together large expanses of coastal wetlands and mangroves; seagrass and algal beds, mudflats, lagoons; and a large diverse array of coral reefs. Encompassed within this vibrant ecological framework are over 390 coral species in a complex coral system housing over 1200 varieties of fish and a multitude of invertebrates.

Mangrove and seagrass habitats act as breeding and feeding grounds for the various species of fish, invertebrates, reptiles and seabirds of this ecoregion. The ecoregion is also home to some unique marine life, like an endemic seabird, the Fiji petrel. There are seven known endemic species of fish in the Fijian waters and it's also a spawning ground for the endangered humphead wrasse and the worlds largest parrot fish, the bumphead parrot fish.

Five of the seven species of marine turtle migrate through Fiji’s waters; the green, hawksbill, loggerhead, olive ridley , and leatherback turtle. Green and hawksbill turtles most commonly nest in Fiji, where the sea grass meadows are a critical foraging area for the green turtles.

Critically endangered turtles like the leatherbacks also use these waters as feeding and migratory paths. The warm waters are also important migratory routes for 12 species of whale. Four of these species, the blue whale musculus), sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), are considered to be endangered or vulnerable. In 2003, the Fiji government offered protection to these species by declaring Fiji’s territorial waters as a whale sanctuary.

Fiji's marine resources are important to its people from both a cultural perspective, and as a major source of food, minerals, pharmaceuticals, construction material and a vast range of useful products, as well as livelihoods and a source of cash income. The open seas within this region maintain viable offshore fisheries with great populations of tuna. Significantly, traditional patterns of community marine tenure, as well as indigenous ecological knowledge, can be incorporated into sustainably managing marine resources.

Good local management with full community involvement is a strength of FIME conservation efforts and will ultimately contribute to both the sustainable livelihoods and empowerment of the communities involved. The islands economy depends heavily on its foreign exchange earnings from Fisheries and Tourism and there are high hopes that within the next few years these industries would be earning the tiny islands over a billion dollars.