REEF charter, July 12, 2011
REEF’s first (official) trip to Fiji aboard NAI’A.
Paul Humann is the chairman of REEF and a guest host aboard NAI’A. REEF primarily operates in the Caribbean but are spreading further afield. Their group was made up of friends and fish enthusiasts. Armed with slates and pencils they diligently scoured the reefs of Fiji. Solitary, few, many and abundant are the categories that Fiji’s fishes are labeled in. It’s taken for granted that Scale fin Anthias are automatically abundant on Fiji’s reefs. Paul will be extending many fish ranges after his three trips aboard NAI’A – there were many species not thought present in Fiji but actually in abundance here.
The REEF group dived in bays and lagoons as well as on the usual passenger route so that they could get a good cross section of environments to analyze their data.
At first the rise is diversity was a little overwhelming for most, but with Paul at hand giving presentations and lectures everyday the group soon got up to speed on the local fish species. Kreg and Neil are also fish ID gurus and helped the group identify the unique species.
A great trip if you love your fish and wish to learn more about the underwater inhabitants of Fiji. Big Mo qualified as a level 2 REEF fish counter and his eager eyes and ID photos helped with the groups ID skills.
by Dennis
by Dennis
by Dennis
by Dennis
by Dennis
by Dennis
by Dennis
by Dennis
by Dennis
by Dennis
by Dennis
by Dennis
by Helen
Gilmour Mansion, Wakay, by Helen
by Helen
by Helen
by Helen
by Helen
by Helen
by Helen
by Helen
by Helen
by Helen
by Paul
by Paul
by Paul
by Paul
by Paul
by Paul
Decorated dartfish by Paul
Red margined wrasse by Paul
Spottail dartfish by Paul
Slender Snapper by Paul
View this video in full HD on the NAIAFiji YouTube page. http://www.youtube.com/user/NAIAFiji
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“Fiji is a hot spot of biodiversity. We’re here for the rich colorful soft coral reefs as well as the unusual stuff - the strange little creatures and endemic fishes.”
~ Dr. Tim Laman, biologist and National Geographic Photojournalist