Avian matchmaking on Valentine’s Day

BirdLife's Dr Mark O'Brien tests the speakers for Vatu-i-ra island, Fiji.

Two staff from the BirdLife Fiji Programme and the Pacific Secretariat gave up any amorous intentions of their own on Valentine’s Day to try a little avian matchmaking.

Together with volunteers from the Vatu-i-ra Site Support Group (SSG), the team spent three days on Vatu-i-ra Island, Fiji, installing a solar-powered sound system designed to broadcast the calls of several threatened seabirds in a bid to attract them back to the island.

“We’re very excited to be contributing to the conservation of one of Fiji’s rarer species,” said Sione Gonewai of the Yavusa Nagilogilo, also Chair of the Vatu-i-ra Site Support Group.

“As the owners of Vatu-i-ra our community recognises our role as custodians of the site. We’ve been working to protect the island, its seabirds and the marine environment upon which they depend for a number of years.”

In 2006 with the local community BirdLife undertook a successful eradication of Pacific rats, accidentally introduced by people many centuries before. Introduced mammals have been the number one driver of bird extinctions and their impact has been particularly severe in the Pacific. However, thanks to a great deal of hard work across the BirdLife Pacific Partnership a number of islands around the region have now been cleared of invasives.

These sites are acting as safe havens for many species and Vatu-i-ra is no exception. The island supports internationally significant populations of several noddies, terns and boobies; and already since the eradication survey teams have recorded encouraging signs of regeneration such as an apparent increase in the number of ground-nesting birds like Crested and Bridled Terns – those that are most susceptible to predation.

Now the aim is to take full advantage of this site by establishing the first colony of Collared Petrels at a predator free location.

“Our mammal free islands are huge assets”, said Sialesi Rasalato, BirdLife’s Fiji Programme Conservation Officer. “Now we’re really looking to join all the dots and maximise the potential these sites have for conservation”.

Petrels are the most threatened group of seabirds in the tropical Pacific having suffered historical declines owing to both overharvesting of adults and chicks for food and the negative impact of invasive mammals. Collared Petrel was uplisted to Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List in 2011 because available evidence suggests its global population probably numbers fewer than 10,000 individuals and it is experiencing an ongoing decline. Although surveys last year discovered that the species still occurs on a number of islands around Fiji, they also found invasive mammals present at all sites.

Remote playback has proven itself to be an enormously successful tool in New Zealand and elsewhere for attracting threatened seabirds to breed at specific sites. In this case, selecting a predator-free island offers the chance of establishing a colony of a very rare species where one of the major threats has been removed. The speaker system can run for up to five years, switching on every night to broadcast calls and turning itself off again to recharge in daylight. As well as the sound system the team has installed 20 artificial nesting burrows to encourage the first birds in.

“Collared Petrel is an obvious target, but we’re looking to benefit a number of Fiji’s rare and threatened seabirds like Tahiti Petrel and Polynesian Storm-petrel,” commented Sia Rasalato.

2012 marks the start of a real push for petrel conservation in Fiji. NatureFiji-MareqetiViti are continuing their searches for petrel burrows with specially trained dogs on Gau, and have just installed a playback device to begin attracting birds to artificial burrows where they can be effectively monitored and protected. The BirdLife Fiji Programme and the Nabukelevu site support group on Kadavu are also beginning a similar project.

BirdLife would like to acknowledge all of its donors who have supported the important work described here: The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation, the Pacific Seabird Group, the Crowder Messersmith Conservation Fund and Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.

Avian matchmaking on Valentine’s Day 

Two Fiji petrels caught in Gau

Two Fiji petrels or Kacau ni Gau - recently landed in Nawaikama Village in Gau.

Fiji Petrel. First photograph. The Tubenose project. Hadoram Shirihai

The birds landed exactly a month apart.


For NatureFiji-Mareqeti Viti - the species guardian - this is an extraordinary occurrence - given that the petrels were last sighted in May.


The first bird landed on the night of October 29th.


NatureFiji -Mareqeti Viti Field Manager Eleazar O'Connor inspected the bird and made weight and height measurements.


And - for the first time - a metal tag was attached to the bird's foot with a serial number on it before it was released.


The tag will help identify the bird if it’s found somewhere else.


This was also done to the second petrel which landed on the night of November 29th.


On record - this is the 18th petrel caught so far.


The population of Fiji Petrel is unknown, but believed to be fewer than 50 pairs, and potentially declining due to predation by cats, rats and feral pigs.


The critically endangered species survives and breeds only in Gau - after it was initially found in 1855.

Asia Pacific’s first PADI Green Star Award awarded to Matava, Fiji

We’re pleased to announce that Matava – Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort has received the first PADI Green Star award in the Asia Pacific region in November 2011 for our sustainable and eco-conscious environmental activities and business practices.

The program helps PADI Dive Centers and Resorts identify practical actions they can take to protect and preserve the environment. Because they choose which conservation actions they would like to implement, PADI Dive Centers and Resorts can completely customize the program for their businesses.

“There’s more to going green than simply jumping on the eco bandwagon,” says Bob Coleman, Vice President of Sales, Retailer and Resort Association, PADI Americas, Latin America and Canada. “Well-organized conservation initiatives can reduce costs while strengthening your brand, especially when you strategically introduce them into your overall business plan.

Earning the PADI Green Star Award shows customers that you care about the environment and are taking action to protect it. With today’s environmentally-conscious divers, going green can be an important competitive advantage.”

Richard Akhtar of Matava and Mike Holme of PADI Asia Pacific

The PADI Green Star award requires dive operators and resorts to conduct an objective audit of their facility and business practices and assesses performance in water and energy use, transportation, waste management and conservation leadership.

“We hope other dive operations and tourism providers in the Asia Pacific region follow our example and help to protect their local environment and achieve sustainable business practises in a green and clean manner!” said Mr Stuart Gow, one of Matava’s Directors.

“We are extremely proud to win this award. We have been lucky to win overseas and global awards for our environmental policy in the past year, but it is especially gratifying to be recognised at home by our colleagues in Fiji.” he continued .

Richard Akhtar, Managing Director of Matava -- Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort said “At Matava, we are of course both happy and proud to receive this prestigious award. We find it even more important that the industry, by rewarding environmental efforts, choose to take a stand for the environment we depend on. We also see it as an important continuing signal to the community which at the same time can serve to inspire the numerous individuals and companies who have been doing so much, and continue to do even more in the field of environmental enlightenment and conservation. This award has highlighted Fiji’s leading role and efforts in this regard especially.”

PADI Green Star Award presented to Stuart Gow of Matava by Drew Richardson, President of PADI at DEMA 2012 (Danny Dwyer, Drew Richardson, Stuart Gow, Hendrick Nimb, Mike Holme)

“At Matava, we are of course both happy and proud to receive this prestigious global award. We find it even more important that the industry, by rewarding similar efforts, choose to take a stand for the environment we depend on. We also see it as an important continuing signal to the community which at the same time can serve to inspire the numerous individuals and companies who have been doing so much, and continue to do even more in the field of environmental enlightenment and conservation. This award has highlighted Fiji’s leading role and efforts in this regard especially in our our region of the South Pacific.”

Mr Akhtar finished by saying “Matava -- Fiji’s Premier Eco-Adventure Resort has again proved that it is indeed among the leaders in environmentally sensitive resorts worldwide, and this latest award solidifies our position as an example of how resorts can operate AND help maintain and improve the surrounding environment”

The Green Star award was presented to us during DEMA week in November 2011 by PADI’s Project Aware and PADI President Mr Drew Richardson.

###

Notes to editors

About Matava -- Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Matava -- Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava -- Fiji Premier Eco Adventure Resort is a PADI Dive Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. With more than 12 years experience in the Fiji Islands, Matava is recognized as a leading educational dive centre. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian ‘bures’ with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views.

For interviews, images or further information please contact Stuart Gow, Stuart@Matava.com, t: 679-997-5416

About PADI Green Star Awards:

PADI Dive Centers and Resorts have a powerful new tool to help organize and implement environmental conservation programs -- and be recognized for their efforts -- with the PADI Green Star Award. The program helps PADI Dive Centers and Resorts identify practical actions they can take to protect and preserve the environment. Because they choose which conservation actions they would like to implement, PADI Dive Centers and Resorts can completely customize the program for their businesses. For additional information, contact Roger Josselyn at 800 729 7234 (US and Canada) or +1 949 858 7234 ext. 2519.

Asia Pacific’s first PADI Green Star Award awarded to Matava, Fiji | Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Take a Friend to Fiji for 50% off Matava package: 2nd Person Half Price on Land and Air! | Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Matava Summer Special

2nd Person 50% off

Escape to Fiji to Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort and the Second Person stays Half Price !

Valid for travel between 1st December 2011 – 29th February 2012

Details:

• valid for double / twin share
• ANY Matava Dive, Romance or Adventure Package
• 5 nights stay or longer
• All meals and airport transfers included
• Complimentary Snorkelling on Critter Junction
• Waterfall hike and village afternoon
• Lovo feast and kava ceremony

Additions:

• Extra night – 2nd person half price (based on double occupancy)
• Extra days diving – 2nd person half price
• Single Supplement – Waived
• Based on published package and add on rates
• Excludes gamefishing and kayaking packages
• Travel through 29th February 2011 subject to availability
• Blackout period: travel Between 23rd December 2011 and 29th December 2011 excluded

Air Pacific Special

Take a Friend to Fiji for Half Price Air special.

Discover the wonders of Matava in Fiji and save money on the second person.

For a limited time, 2nd passenger gets 50 % off airfare from Los Angeles on Air Pacific.

From now until March 31, 2012 travel to fabulous Fiji and the second passenger travels for 50% off airfare!

TRAVEL DATES: valid 1 Oct 2011 through 31 March 2012
Sale ends Dec. 31

(No travel on the special airfare permitted during the blackout of 15-Dec-11 to 15-Jan-12)

—

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Take a Friend to Fiji for 50% off Matava package: 2nd Person Half Price on Land and Air!

Air Pacific to Acquire New Airbus A330-200 Aircraft

Fiji’s national airline Air Pacific today announced that it has ordered three new Airbus A330-200 aircraft to replace its current fleet of B747 and B767 aircraft.

These brand new, highly capable, long-haul aircraft will begin arriving in early 2013, and they will be operated on flights to Fiji from Sydney, Auckland, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles.

“This decision is a significant milestone in our 60-year history because it will be our first-ever purchase of new wide-body airplanes, and these state-of-the art A330s are clearly going to be planes that our customers and the people of Fiji will be thrilled to fly,” said Air Pacific’s Managing Director and CEO David Pflieger. “In addition, I can’t begin to tell you how excited our team here in Fiji is with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design and outfit new aircraft that will embody the beauty and spirit of Fiji and its 333 islands.”

Air Pacific’s Chairman, Mr. Nalin Patel, echoed that enthusiasm when he said “Dave and his team did a fantastic job in conducting a comprehensive seven-month review of our entire fleet and network and then working with aircraft manufacturers to find the right solution for Air Pacific. The entire Board is very pleased with the outcome of those efforts, and Dave has our full support on this critical decision. The team’s success in finding and financing new planes that can start flying as soon as March of 2013 completely validates the support we provided them when they started their work 17 months ago.”

According to Mr. Pflieger, the landmark acquisition of new Airbus A330s signals a very bright future for the airline. “It’s the right plane at the right time for our company, and it will set us up for another 60 years of success. Our exhaustive evaluation proved not only that the A330-200 was the best plane for Air Pacific, but also that the features and capabilities of this new plane will complement our world-renowned customer service and ensure our passengers enjoy a spacious, comfortable, and relaxing flight on their way to or from Fiji.”

“These A330s will be equipped with the latest in cabin seats and in-flight entertainment, and their optimised 222-inch wide fuselage will accommodate more passengers and cargo than our current B767.” In addition, these new jetliners will have a look and feel that is truly Fijian, appropriately reflecting Air Pacific’s role as Fiji’s ambassador to the world,” said the airline’s CEO.

Mr. Pflieger observed that the new aircraft would also dramatically improve the appeal and effectiveness of Fiji’s national carrier in achieving its goal of becoming the airline of choice in the South Pacific. Mr. Pflieger added that once the new aircraft are operational, he expected their superior range and payload capabilities will also allow Air Pacific to explore the possibility of further growth, more jobs, and adding more destinations to its network.

“Some of the other advantages that these new aircraft will provide are: lower maintenance and operating costs, lower fuel burn and carbon emissions, and superior cargo capacity and capabilities. As a result, we fully expect that our new A330s to significantly help us cut costs and increase revenue – two key objectives for any airline — especially ours,” said Mr. Pflieger.

Mr Pflieger thanked the Air Pacific Board for its unequivocal support in obtaining the new aircraft, and he also thanked the entire Air Pacific staff for their dedication and hard work in getting the Company to where it is today.

“The team at Air Pacific has been working extremely hard for over a year now to cut costs, increase revenue, deliver better operational performance and ensure that we continue to provide world-class customer service. Those efforts have already paid off with better performance across all areas of the company, and I want to thank our team here in Fiji and world-wide for their selfless dedication and efforts to date,” Mr. Pflieger added. “While we have made significant progress on almost all other fronts, and the modernisation of our fleet will provide the capstone to our turnaround and revitalisation plans.”

Air Pacific to Acquire New Airbus A330-200 Aircraft - Air Pacific

Heaven on earth - can't wait to go back - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

My husband and I just spend 7 nights at Matava, and we are already planning our next trip there. We loved the place, and especially the staff sooooo much we have totally fallen in love with Matava.

The staff were wonderful, couldn't do enough for you day and night, always quick with a smile and a joke. The food was fantastic as was the diving.

Matava would not be for everyone, but if you don't mind rustic charm (no air con or fan, and limited electricity - tropical breeze, gas lanterns and mozzie nets instead) and want a true romantic adventure far, far from the maddening crowds then I would highly recommend this place to you.

Heaven on earth - can't wait to go back - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

Fantastic location & adventure options, and the people were terrific! - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

I've traveled extensively and for the overall value this was one of the best remote eco-resorts I've ever visited.

The owners and staff treated me like a long-lost friend. Meals were made with local food, prepared very well, served family style, and there was always enough to go around. The guests were from around the world and were fun and friendly.

The staff were helpful, accommodating, friendly and professional. As a diver, I really appreciated how well the dive operation was handled -- gear, boat, dive masters, safety, etc. were all PADI 5-star.

If you open your mind and heart to the local Fijian people, especially if you visit one of their villages, they will be friends for life...

Fantastic location & adventure options, and the people were terrific! - TripAdvisor: