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The Great Astrolabe Reef Photos
North Astralabe Reef
North Astralabe Reef, southen edge,entering D’urville Channel
Great Astrolabe Reef, Vanuakula Is.
Great Astrolabe Reef, Dravuni Is.
Great Astrolabe Reef, Ono Is.
Great Astrolabe Reef,Ono Channel to Kadavu Is.
Great Astrolabe Reef, Kadavu Is.
1. Dravuni Island Field Station, USP
- The Marine Studies Programme (MSP) operates a field research station on Dravuni Island within the Great Astrolabe Reef, approximately 35 n.m south of the Suva Campus. Dravuni is located at S 18 48’ and E 178 36’.
- A limited population and the lack development helped to preserve these relatively pristine reefs. Approximately 125 persons live in the single village on this 200 acre island. Because the reefs provide a major part of their subsistence, the chiefs have guarded them well and with to see them studied and preserved.
- Both the Great Astrolabe and the North Astrolabe Reefs offer a broad variety of habitats.
- Lagoon depths range from very shallow to 50 meters, and include rock, sand/sediment and grass area, as well as coral sea mouths. Mangroves and mud flats exist on Kandavu and Ono Islands. The outer reef falls steeply 30+ meters, followed by gentle sediment and rubble covered slopes to a depth of over 65 meters. Beyond this the reef wall drops more than a mile to the ocean floor. (Source: Marine Studies Programme leaflet, 2004)
- The North Astrolabe, a circular atoll barrier reef, was recommended for development as a marine reserve and park, although no action has been taken.
- Its use is also controlled by the mataqalis on Dravuni Island. The reefs fall steeply to 35 m. or more before the first bench, although the northeast corner has numerous pinnacles with shallow passes between them into the lagoon. (Source: Marine Studies Programme leaflet, 2004)
- One of the two buildings which comprise the field station offers two laboratories and rooms for a few researchers. The new dormitory has six rooms for 2-4 persons each. Fresh water is dependent upon rain and may be limited. A generator supplies 220 Volt (50 Hz) AC current and there is an air compressor with compact 80 CF tanks.
- Additional laboratory equipment and supplies may be made available through the MSP for use on the island or in laboratories on the Suva campus.
- Transportation to the island is provided by an inter-island ferry, the M.V. Gurava, which is currently making the fun on Tuesdays and Fridays with returns to Suva on Wednesdays and Saturdays. A boat may also be hired from the village, with a boatman. (Source: Marine Studies Programme leaflet, 2004)
Source: Marine Studies Programme leaflet, 2004
2. Kadavu Province Qoliqoli Management
- Over the last 10 years, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Fiji) , the University of the South Pacific and other NGOs with the support of the government has invested a substantial amount of money and resources on environmental awareness, research and marine reserve initiatives in Mauana-i-cake of Kadavu, particularly around the Great Astrolabe reef and the Ono district.
- More recently the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) Network has helped extent these initiatives. FLMMA has also been focusing on training community members in skills (facilitation and monitoring survey skills) required to implement management of marine reserves or Qoliqoli.
- In 2003, discussions were held with the Fisheries Department, Fijian Affairs Board and the Peace Corps program about setting up provincial and district Qoliqoli Management Support team to utilize the skills available and experiences from areas that have been engaged in qoliqoli management. FLMMA would help train and support these teams.
- Hence the objectives of the initial consultation meeting in early 2004 were:
- To identify the roles and TOR of this Kadavu Qoliqoli Management support team.
- To assess the needs of this ream (resources and capacity available, training, and mentoring needs) and what each institutional member can help contribute
- To develop and endorse a framework for coordinating this team and linkages to FLMMA and other institutions.
- To identify emerging issues that needs to be addressed and requests received from within Kadavu to be able to develop a 6 month activity plan for the support team.
Source: “Alifereti Tawake, USP-FLMMA network, “Concept Paper: Kadavu Province Qoliqoli Management Support Team”.
- Specific responsibilities may include:
- Responding to requests from other interested communities and doing field assessments.
- Conduct environmental awareness and share experiences from other qoliqolis within Kadavu and Fiji.
- Assess level of awareness and recommended next steps to the technical and advisory group (Fisheries Department, Proviincial office, and FLMMA).
- Help organize and lead Qoliqoli Management Planning workshops.
- Help conduct monitoring surveys.
- Frequently follow up and review developed Qoliqoli management plans.
- Provide advice and general support to communities and core support team.
- Attend and update various bose vakaro, bose ni tikina and bose ni yasana on qoliqoli management activities within the district and province.
Source: “Alifereti Tawake, USP-FLMMA network, “Concept Paper: Kadavu Province Qoliqoli Management Support Team”.
Assessment
- Comparisons are being made among possible research fields related to the Pacific RCE.
- Candidates that have been assessed include:
Kadavu, Ono, Dravuni and Great Astralabe Reef, Fiji (Focus: marine biodiversity, integrated coastal management) - Sigatoka Sand Dunes and Coral Coast, Fiji (Focus: ethnobiology, integrated coastal management)
- Nadi Bay including Malolo Lailai and Viseisei, Fiji (Focus: marine biodiversity, community life, tourism)
- Apia and reefs near Cape Niuatoi, Samoa (Focus: marine biodiversity, SPREP)
- Eretoka, Lelepa, Moso near Efate, and Tanna, Vanuatu (Focus: World Heritage candidate historical site, traditional community life)
- Noumea and Isle Ouvea, New Caledonia (Focus: SPC: Secretariat for the Pacific Community, IRD, marine biodiversity, fisheries)
- The advantage of Kadavu, Ono, Dravuni and Great Astrolabe Reef are:
Existence of USP field station with continuous activities;
Initiation of Qoliqoli Management project;
Synergy between the two above;
Collaborative ties with Research Institute for Subtropics, Okinawa. - On the other hand, possible problems include:
Access to the island site, which may be time consuming and costly compared to other sites. This means 2 extra days in a survey trip;
IKONOS satellite not ready available for northern half of Ono, Dravuni, and North Astrolabe Reef (Satellite data can be newly obtained if needed).