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Conservation Activities

Conservation at Beqa Lagoon Resort

At Beqa Lagoon Resort, we are committed to preserving the natural beauty of our surroundings. Our conservation initiatives offer guests the opportunity to actively participate in safeguarding Fiji’s unique marine and coastal ecosystems.

Coral Restoration project
Crown of Thorn Removal project
Mangrove Planting project

Coral Restoration, Collection & Planting

We are pleased to welcome you to the Beqa Lagoon Resort Coral Restoration Initiative. At Beqa Lagoon Resort (BLR), we recognize our responsibility to protect the oceans and coral reefs, that sustain our environment and coastal communities. Our goal is to actively conserve and restore the coral reefs within the Beqa Lagoon Seascape, working together with local communities and conservation experts to ensure a sustainable future.

In Fiji, local villages hold traditional fishing rights, known as “Qoliqoli,” which extend to the protection and ownership of certain reef areas. Our “House Reef” falls under the stewardship of Rukua village, located south of the resort. Understanding the importance of preserving the marine ecosystem for future generations, Rukua village has declared both the “House Reef” and “Star Reef” as “Tabu” areas, where fishing and harvesting are strictly prohibited (equivalent to a no-take marine reserve). These protected zones function as breeding grounds, allowing fish populations to replenish and eventually spill over into surrounding, sustainably fished areas.

Our coral restoration efforts benefit from the collaboration with Pacific Blue Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Fiji dedicated to the conservation of reefs and reef culture. With partnerships that include experts from institutions such the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Foundation brings cutting-edge research and technology to our project, ensuring that we implement the most effective methods for coral and reef rejuvenation.

Restoration Methods

The coral restoration project at BLR uses multiple techniques aimed at enhancing coral growth and resilience. These methods include:

  • Coral Fragment Transplantation: Coral fragments are harvested and transplanted onto bio-engineered structures designed to promote coral growth.
  • Bio-Engineered Structures: We utilize structures engineered to mimic natural coral surfaces, providing an ideal environment for coral larvae attachment. these surfaces may also be treated with recruitment-enhancing and algal-inhibition materials, promoting coral development while limiting algal overgrowth.
  • Coral Diversity: We transplant corals from various regions to promote genetic diversity and monitor their growth in different environments. We also transplant bleaching-resistant corals to maximize the chances that corals and the reef survive the next major bleaching event.

Each system is primarily deployed within the Tabu areas on Star Reef and House Reef, with some efforts also underway at the Cathedral Shark Dive site.


Project Sites

    1. Star Reef:
      • MARS Frames: Coral fragments from Serua and Beqa are attached to these frames, promoting genetic diversity in the restored reef. Serua corals are potentially bleaching resistant as they are on shallow, warm reefs and survived the last major bleaching event. The growth and survival of these corals are carefully monitored.
      • Bio-Engineered Structures: These structures simulate natural reef microhabitats, encouraging coral larvae to settle and grow. Some structures incorporate hydrogels to attract coral larvae.
      • Coral Guard Coating: Coral fragments are affixed to bio-material buttons treated with anti-algal coatings, reducing competition from algae while the corals establish themselves.
      • Temperature Loggers: These devices continuously monitor reef temperature trends, providing essential data on environmental changes.
    2. Cathedral Shark Dive Site:
      • Ceramic Bio-Engineered Structures: Designed using advanced 3D printing methods, these structures replicate natural coral flow environments, creating optimal conditions for coral attachment and growth. Successful trials of this technology have been conducted in the Red Sea and other locations.
      • Temperature Monitoring: Loggers placed at various depths track the influence of cold-water upwellings on reef temperatures, allowing comparisons between lagoon and oceanic coral environments. They are also used to determine which reef sites will be most prone to mass bleaching events.
    3. House Reef:
      • MARS Frames and A-Frames: These structures provide the basis for coral planting activities, where guests can participate in the active restoration process. Corals grown become part of the 3D reef structure and can help restore fish and invertebrate populations.

Learn more here: BLR Coral Restoration Project V.2

Guest Participation

You can participate in two key activities:

  1. Reef Maintenance:
    • Inspect and clean the coral structures, removing algae that can overgrow and suffocate coral polyps.
    • Ensure the structural integrity of the frames and secure any loose coral fragments.
    • Conduct fixed-point photography for monitoring coral growth.
  2. Coral Collection and Planting:
    • Collect naturally broken coral fragments from the reef, or in rare cases, transplant resilient coral species under expert supervision.
    • Transplant fragments onto designated structures in the House Reef, marking them for future growth assessments.

For more information on coral restoration work and our partners, check out the following websites:
https://www.pacificbluefoundation.org
https://scripps.ucsd.edu
https://www.levy-marine-lab.com

Contact us

Coral Restoration, Collection & Planting

We are pleased to welcome you to the Beqa Lagoon Resort Coral Restoration Initiative. At Beqa Lagoon Resort (BLR), we recognize our responsibility to protect the oceans and coral reefs, that sustain our environment and coastal communities. Our goal is to actively conserve and restore the coral reefs within the Beqa Lagoon Seascape, working together with local communities and conservation experts to ensure a sustainable future.

In Fiji, local villages hold traditional fishing rights, known as “Qoliqoli,” which extend to the protection and ownership of certain reef areas. Our “House Reef” falls under the stewardship of Rukua village, located south of the resort. Understanding the importance of preserving the marine ecosystem for future generations, Rukua village has declared both the “House Reef” and “Star Reef” as “Tabu” areas, where fishing and harvesting are strictly prohibited (equivalent to a no-take marine reserve). These protected zones function as breeding grounds, allowing fish populations to replenish and eventually spill over into surrounding, sustainably fished areas.

Our coral restoration efforts benefit from the collaboration with Pacific Blue Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Fiji dedicated to the conservation of reefs and reef culture. With partnerships that include experts from institutions such the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Foundation brings cutting-edge research and technology to our project, ensuring that we implement the most effective methods for coral and reef rejuvenation.

Restoration Methods

The coral restoration project at BLR uses multiple techniques aimed at enhancing coral growth and resilience. These methods include:

  • Coral Fragment Transplantation: Coral fragments are harvested and transplanted onto bio-engineered structures designed to promote coral growth.
  • Bio-Engineered Structures: We utilize structures engineered to mimic natural coral surfaces, providing an ideal environment for coral larvae attachment. these surfaces may also be treated with recruitment-enhancing and algal-inhibition materials, promoting coral development while limiting algal overgrowth.
  • Coral Diversity: We transplant corals from various regions to promote genetic diversity and monitor their growth in different environments. We also transplant bleaching-resistant corals to maximize the chances that corals and the reef survive the next major bleaching event.

Each system is primarily deployed within the Tabu areas on Star Reef and House Reef, with some efforts also underway at the Cathedral Shark Dive site.


Project Sites

    1. Star Reef:
      • MARS Frames: Coral fragments from Serua and Beqa are attached to these frames, promoting genetic diversity in the restored reef. Serua corals are potentially bleaching resistant as they are on shallow, warm reefs and survived the last major bleaching event. The growth and survival of these corals are carefully monitored.
      • Bio-Engineered Structures: These structures simulate natural reef microhabitats, encouraging coral larvae to settle and grow. Some structures incorporate hydrogels to attract coral larvae.
      • Coral Guard Coating: Coral fragments are affixed to bio-material buttons treated with anti-algal coatings, reducing competition from algae while the corals establish themselves.
      • Temperature Loggers: These devices continuously monitor reef temperature trends, providing essential data on environmental changes.
    2. Cathedral Shark Dive Site:
      • Ceramic Bio-Engineered Structures: Designed using advanced 3D printing methods, these structures replicate natural coral flow environments, creating optimal conditions for coral attachment and growth. Successful trials of this technology have been conducted in the Red Sea and other locations.
      • Temperature Monitoring: Loggers placed at various depths track the influence of cold-water upwellings on reef temperatures, allowing comparisons between lagoon and oceanic coral environments. They are also used to determine which reef sites will be most prone to mass bleaching events.
    3. House Reef:
      • MARS Frames and A-Frames: These structures provide the basis for coral planting activities, where guests can participate in the active restoration process. Corals grown become part of the 3D reef structure and can help restore fish and invertebrate populations.

Learn more here: BLR Coral Restoration Project V.2

Guest Participation

You can participate in two key activities:

  1. Reef Maintenance:
    • Inspect and clean the coral structures, removing algae that can overgrow and suffocate coral polyps.
    • Ensure the structural integrity of the frames and secure any loose coral fragments.
    • Conduct fixed-point photography for monitoring coral growth.
  2. Coral Collection and Planting:
    • Collect naturally broken coral fragments from the reef, or in rare cases, transplant resilient coral species under expert supervision.
    • Transplant fragments onto designated structures in the House Reef, marking them for future growth assessments.

For more information on coral restoration work and our partners, check out the following websites:
https://www.pacificbluefoundation.org
https://scripps.ucsd.edu
https://www.levy-marine-lab.com

Contact us

About the Activity

Join your guide on a shore night dive, where you will be hunting The Crown-of-Thorns Starfish. This is a large, venomous coral-eating starfish found on coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region. These Crown-of-Thorns Starfish cause severe damage to coral reefs by consuming vast amounts of live coral tissue. The goal is to reduce the starfish population in affected areas to allow coral reefs to recover and maintain ecological balance. All Starfish removed, are used as fertiliser around our resort and in the villages.

What to Expect

· Duration: 1 hour
· Demonstration: You point out the Crown-of-Thorns and your guide will remove them
· Participants: This activity is for divers

Price

FJD50.00 per person.

Learn more here: Crown of Thorn removal & Mangrove planting.pdf

Contact us

About the Activity

Join your guide on a shore night dive, where you will be hunting The Crown-of-Thorns Starfish. This is a large, venomous coral-eating starfish found on coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region. These Crown-of-Thorns Starfish cause severe damage to coral reefs by consuming vast amounts of live coral tissue. The goal is to reduce the starfish population in affected areas to allow coral reefs to recover and maintain ecological balance. All Starfish removed, are used as fertiliser around our resort and in the villages.

What to Expect

· Duration: 1 hour
· Demonstration: You point out the Crown-of-Thorns and your guide will remove them
· Participants: This activity is for divers

Price

FJD50.00 per person.

Learn more here: Crown of Thorn removal & Mangrove planting.pdf

Contact us

About the Activity

Join your guide on a shore night dive, where you will be hunting The Crown-of-Thorns Starfish. This is a large, venomous coral-eating starfish found on coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region. These Crown-of-Thorns Starfish cause severe damage to coral reefs by consuming vast amounts of live coral tissue. The goal is to reduce the starfish population in affected areas to allow coral reefs to recover and maintain ecological balance. All Starfish removed, are used as fertiliser around our resort and in the villages.

What to Expect

· Duration: 1 hour
· Demonstration: You point out the Crown-of-Thorns and your guide will remove them
· Participants: This activity is for divers

Price

FJD50.00 per person.

Learn more here: Crown of Thorn removal & Mangrove planting.pdf

Contact us

About the Activity

Join your guide on a shore night dive, where you will be hunting The Crown-of-Thorns Starfish. This is a large, venomous coral-eating starfish found on coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region. These Crown-of-Thorns Starfish cause severe damage to coral reefs by consuming vast amounts of live coral tissue. The goal is to reduce the starfish population in affected areas to allow coral reefs to recover and maintain ecological balance. All Starfish removed, are used as fertiliser around our resort and in the villages.

What to Expect

· Duration: 1 hour
· Demonstration: You point out the Crown-of-Thorns and your guide will remove them
· Participants: This activity is for divers

Price

FJD50.00 per person.

Learn more here: Crown of Thorn removal & Mangrove planting.pdf

About the Activity

Mangrove planting is an environmental conservation activity focused on restoring and enhancing coastal ecosystems by planting mangrove trees in suitable areas. Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow along tropical and subtropical coastlines, playing a crucial role in protecting shorelines, supporting biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. This activity is done during low tide.

What to Expect

· Duration: 1 Hour
· Demonstration: Plant and transplant mangroves from nurseries
· Participants: Anyone

Price

FJD50.00 per person.

Learn more here: Crown of Thorn removal & Mangrove planting.pdf

Contact us
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