CRUISE OPERATOR LEADS IN
Sustainability
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aptain Cook Cruises Fiji is a small ship cruise line with some pretty big environmental sustainability goals. Specialising in 3, 4, 7 and 11-night cruises across Fiji’s unsurpassed waterways and idyllic islands, the cruise operator also charts the waters from Port Denarau on day trips to its private island Tivua and dinner cruises in tranquil Nadi Bay. Captain Cook Cruises Fiji is passionate about protecting the precious marine environment. On all its offerings, guests come in daily contact with any one of four resident Fijian marine biologists. All graduates of the University of the South Pacific, the marine biologist team carry out sustainability programs on board the MV Reef Endeavour and on Tivua, boasting 200ha of coral gardens in the Mamanuca group.
Reef Endeavour On the MV Reef Endeavour, the marine biologist is responsible for operating the company’s initiative, the Ocean Ambassador Program – the removal of
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rubbish pollution in remote areas with a focus on plastic and looking after and sustaining the Fijian environment. Crew and passengers help clean up waste from remote beaches and villages visited, while at the same time educating everyone about rubbish pollution and environmental sustainability. Valuable data about the types of waste found in the islands is gathered and since the initiative began, an average 70-120kg of litter per week has been collected. The marine biologists also give talks about Fiji’s marine life, and when in the water they lead guests on guided snorkelling and glass-bottom boat tours.
Tivua Island Day Tour Marine biologists on Tivua currently run four commendable projects: Coral Farming, Giant Clam Spawning, Island Beach Profiling and establishing a Marine Protected Area (MPA). • The Coral Farming project uses a range of procedures including coral tables made to host doughnut figures seeded with “coral frags”.
