Monday, May 29, 2006

iQoliqoli Management



At the beginning of the year I had the opportunity to work with a Conservation Society in Fiji. The organization is working with communities on Vanua Levu (second largest Fiji Island) to educate and collaborate on ways to preserve near shore reef systems. As it is, Fiji is extremely fortunate to have mostly healthy coral reef systems unlike many other places in the World. Thus, the work was based on preservation rather than nursing the ecosystem back to health. Below is a short clip of Ratu Ravulolo, the highest chief of the Kubulau District speaking of the neccessity for protecting their iqoliqoli (n-gollie-gollie). This is a defined fishing ground that is governed and cared for by the people of the District. The fishing ground is a source of income mainly through Eco-Tourism. The Kubulau People declared a marine protected area within their iqoliqoli which means no fishing and has thus has fostered an abundance of marine life making it a hot spot for dive tourism. As it stands today, anyone wanting to dive in the Marine Protected Area must first pay a small fee before the diving. The money then goes to scholarships to send children from the district to school and even University.

PLAY Video "Ratu Ravulolo" (.mp4/5.2Mb)

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

The Star Reach Conclusion

Dear Swashbuckler Fans,

As some of you may know and others not as much, I began my swashbuckling ways aboard the sailing yacht Star Reach. It brought me to Savusavu, Fiji where I unknowingly pursued how to be a Fijian. Walk slowly on the street, eat plenty of dalo, fish, and pineapple, hold my own in grog fund raisers, smile, bula shirts, and love rugby sevens are just some of the bits that consumed me, not to mention Fiji Bitter. I departed Fiji in late November aboard Star Reach for Auckland, New Zealand. It was a 10 day sail, and along the way many interesting things occured which I can't possibly share. However, I would like to share with you a small part of the journey in the following video clip. It was an excellent sail with two very fine individuals.


PLAY video "s/y Star Reach" (.mp4/13.3Mb)