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Remote island, marine conservation, diving and culture!

Activities : Combo Placements / Community Projects / Conservation / Expeditions / Sports / Sports - Water / Study / Research / Adventure / Extreme / Animals
Company : Green Force
Country : Fiji
Region : Fiji
Duration : 4 to 10 weeks

Info

Working in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Greenforce Fiji is surveying the reefs surrounding this remote South Pacific Island in order to create a UNESCO Seascape multi use reserve.

Living in traditional grass bures on the beach volunteers will be welcomed to the village with the traditional Savu Savu ceremony hosted by the village Ratu or chief. After dive and science training have been completed we aim to carry out survey dives twice a day from Monday to Friday.

The scientific data you collect is on gathered on behalf of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) using line transects to record fish abundance and diversity. Underwater marine surveys involve charting the coral with the use of GPS, identifying fish and marine movements as well as their breeding grounds and where they feed. With a complete understanding of this underwater world we can then work with the Fijian National Trust and WCS on creating an effective United Nations Seascape plan.

Saturday is recreational dive day where you might do a deep dive or a boat dive, all of which work towards your advanced dive training. Underwater you can expect to meet many of the large marine species, including turtles, sharks, rays and dolphins.

As it is only the village and Greenforce living on this remote island you will have the chance to become involved in their daily life including joining in with traditional ceremonies and celebrations. Run by the Ratu (Chief) the Fijian village is a self supporting community, who Greenforce work very closely with. Most volunteers will pair up with a Fijian family for their time on the island. This creates a greater understanding and also some incredible friendships.

On Sundays volunteers can go to the village to attend church, have lunch with local families or even brave the odd rugby match! During your time on the Island, you will soon learn to live at the Fijian pace of life where many of your previous worries or cares become less important.