SUSTAINABILITY
PROTECTION & PRESERVATION
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability extends beyond the present. It is a promise to give back more than we take, to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the future and to consider the implications of our actions. While sustainable travel continues to gain momentum, Kokomo has built its foundation on driving positive change in this area.
The protection and preservation of our island, our community, and our oceans is of paramount importance to us, and formulating a green strategy for long term success is the cornerstone of our island home.
We hope that our passion for sustainability inspires you to consider what is most important to you and how you can preserve and protect your environment for generations to come.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION
Leading our conservation efforts is Marine Biologist Viviana Taubera. Supported by the resort’s management team, she champions the resort’s vision for a sustainable future, and has introduced a range of initiatives to preserve and protect our island, our community and our ocean.
Growing up in Fiji’s Garden Island, Viviana heralds her seaside upbringing for her fascination with the underwater world. She joined Kokomo in 2017 as a nanny before transitioning to the Marine Biology team in 2019. Viviana’s experience collecting and analysing fisheries data has been invaluable to Kokomo’s coral restoration and marine conservation projects. Viviana is committed to creating more ocean conscious youth in our society and helping others understand the impact triggers around them.
OUR ISLAND
The preservation of our island begins with how we treat the land on which the resort was built, and extends from the use of sustainable building materials, through to the treatment of waste product and investment in on-island recycling programs.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Renowned Australian property developer, Lang Walker AO, has lived and breathed place making for over 50 years. To bring to life his vision of ‘an island paradise unlike any other’, required a true collaboration and fusion of creative minds. A venture straight from the hearts of the Walker family, Kokomo exemplifies Walker’s commitment to cutting-edge design and industry-leading environmental standards.
Head Architect, Keith Lambert, worked alongside local architect; Conway Beg and local structural engineers; Vijay Krishnan Engineered Designs, to ensure Kokomo succeeded in its intended vision, and delivered efficient building design that maximised the usable and functional space. Along with ensuring natural ventilation and energy efficiency, the team was tasked with sourcing sustainable building materials; local plantation timbers and stone from surrounding islands, to unify traditional and contemporary design.
Hardwood cinnamon trees sourced from nearby Mago Island (owned by Mel Gibson) were repurposed as furniture, locally sourced mahogany was used in the decks, windows, doors and louvres, while plantation pines were used in the roof trusses. In the villas, woven matting and exposed beams are lashed together with magi magi, in the traditional Fijian fashion. Complementing the build, lead interior designer, Philip Garner was meticulous in the selection of materials and textures used to furnish the resort. Garner chose to avoid the use of metal, focusing instead on repurposing recycled timber and using sustainable sourced cotton and linen for the upholstery.
FARM TO TABLE
In support of the farm to table movement and global efforts to minimise waste production, Kokomo tends a 5.5-acre (2.2-hectare) organic farm, abounding with fresh seasonal produce. Vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and exotic fruits are cultivated on the island, with a hydroponics garden supplying fresh lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, year round. Our vanilla plantation allows the production of fresh vanilla beans for the pastry kitchen, whilst beyond the gardens, our beehives and hen house, provide a rich delectable honey and free range eggs for our guests to enjoy.
At the resort’s three restaurants; Beach Shack, Walker D’Plank and Kokocabana, Kokomo’s chefs thoughtfully transform island grown and locally source produce into delicious meals, showcasing the best produce for each season.
FARM TOUR
For an unforgettable experience, join a member of Kokomo’s food and beverage team for a guided tour of our 5.5-acre farm. Visit our hydroponics garden and vanilla plantation. Learn about the mechanisms we have put in place for growing herbs, fruits, and vegetables, as well as our practices for taking care of our resident bees and free-range chickens.
WASTE REDUCTION
In all decisions, it is important for Kokomo to consider what efforts can be madeto reduce, reuse and recycle. As all inorganic waste must be sent to the mainland, considerable effort is made onsite to reduce and sort waste in our recycling centre. Here, organic waste is put through a 5-week mulching process for use in the farm; food waste and recyclable materials are turned to compost for use in the gardens, and glass materials are broken down for use in concrete.
Looking to the future, we are committed to further reducing our reliance on plastic materials. Straws and take-away containers have already been replaced with reusable or biodegradable alternatives, with attention now turned to products supplied by our partners Fiji Water and Pure Fiji. Our intention is for guests to be able to refill their water bottles at stations throughout the resort, reducing reliance on one-use plastic bottles.
SEAWATER DESALINATION
We rely on freshwater for our gardens, our pools, our kitchens and our guests. While access to freshwater is challenging for many remote communities, Kokomo has installed a Seawater Desalination Plant to ensure ongoing access to this precious natural resource. Seawater is processed by the desalination plant, creating sea salt for use in our kitchen and spa, brine for use in our pools, and clean drinking water for use by our guests and staff. Independent from our Seawater Desalination Project, Kokomo uses storm water tanks and grey water to supply the irrigation systems in our gardens and farm. 80% of the water processed by the island is recycled, with the remaining 20% lost on drying beds.
OUR COMMUNITY
It is extremely important to Kokomo to continue to support our local communities, who are vulnerable to the effects of climate change and over tourism. Along with assisting local villages and schools with much needed supplies, our team are integral to their coastal protection and environmental management, as well as long term employment prospects.
NARIKOSO VILLAGE
One of our neighbouring villages in need of protection is Narikoso village. Located 30-minutes south of Kokomo, Narikoso continues to be affected by rising sea levels. With the assistance of the Fijian Government, the village have already relocated twice. They are now aiming to build a natural sea wall from mangroves to help protect their new location from future coastal wave damage.
Our team began transplanting mangroves in Narikoso village in July 2020, with mangroves from our Kokomo Mangrove Nursery. The residents of Narikoso village were educated on the importance of mangroves and locals of all ages, participated in transplanting these mangroves. To date we have transplanted more than 3,200 mangroves onto Narikoso’s shores.
VILLAGE TOUR
Guests have the opportunity to participate in planting and transplanting activities with the Kids Club and landscaping department, regularly assisting with watering, weeding and maintenance. By educating guests on the importance of mangroves, having them participate in planting activities, and helping protect local communities, this project raises environmental awareness while assisting in community development.
MANGROVE REFORESTATION
Our Mangrove Reforestation project aims to plant and restore mangroves, critical to coastal protection. Mangroves are salt tolerant plants that grow in tidal and riverine areas. Their highly biodiverse habitats create a unique environment for an abundance of marine and freshwater life. Given mangroves are also five times greater at sequestering carbon than rainforests, they are critical in combating climate change and the effects of excess carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere.
To assist with restoration efforts, our team collect mangrove seeds, which are grown in a mangrove nursery on the island. The seeds will be ready for transplantation once they have germinated, with well-established root systems more likely to survive and withstand wave action in tidal areas. Mangroves have been proven to reduce wave action by more than 90%, vital in protecting low-lying coastal villages against cyclones and tsunamis.
DOCK TO DISH
In 2018, Kokomo launched the South Pacific chapter of Dock to Dish, a communitysupported sustainable fishing venture, committed to restoring the relationship between seafood producers and consumers. An international network of small-scale fishermen, marine biologists and sustainable seafood advocates, Dock to Dish supports the growth and development of small-scale fishing communities, whilst prioritising fresh, flavoursome seafood. The pioneering movement is bringing sweeping reform to seafood supply chains around the world.
For Kokomo, Dock to Dish enables our team to preserve important elements of the native culture, whilst furthering our commitment to an environmentally and culturally sustainable sourcing system.
DOCK TO DISH EXPERIENCE
For the complete Dock to Dish experience, head out with our Masterfisherman and learn first hand about sustainable fishing methods by catching fish of the right size, in the right season and right species, whilst listening as stories are told about the way of life in traditional Fijian Villages. Bring your catch back to shore and have it transformed into a decadent meal by Kokomo’s culinary team. The ethical sourcing of seafood is reflected in how the produce is prepared, allowing your catch to be the hero of the dish.
OUR OCEAN
Water is our most valuable resource, not only as a source of drinking water, but as home to the Great Astrolabe Reef and its countless inhabitants. We have invested significantly in coral restoration and marine preservation to ensure that the reefs surrounding Kokomo continue to thrive for generations to come.
NO TAKE FISHING ZONE
In recent decades, fish biomass and coral cover on many tropical reefs, have been severely depleted. While this decline may be associated with numerous factors, overfishing has been a primary driver. The aquatic reserves surrounding Kokomo are flourishing, and in August 2018 we created a “No-Take Fishing Zone” around our island home to preserve our waterways and to ensure the longevity of these thriving reefs for years to come.
This 200 metre perimeter prohibits guests, staff and local villagers from fishing within the area, preserving biodiversity, and enhancing ecosystem resilience. This is the first step toward our aim of making the waters an official Marine Protected Area.
SEABIN
In 2015, Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski founded Seabin Pty Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation driven by a passion for the ocean and a wish to combat ocean pollution using science and technology. It started with the simple thought that, “If we can have rubbish bins on land then why not have them in the water”.
By investing in a Seabin, Kokomo has provided a platform for this project to raise awareness of ocean pollution among guests, local communities and staff, and encouraged boat owners to consider their own impact. Our Seabin processes 25,000 litres of seawater per hour, removing rubbish and micro plastics, and filtering out chemical pollutants such as oil. We have a shared goal, cleaner oceans and a world without the need for Seabins.
Today, the company has installed 860 Seabins in over 50 countries. Kokomo installed the first Seabin in Fiji.
SEA FORAGING
Foraging connects us to the source of our food and to the rest of the natural world. It opens up new taste experiences, encouraging guests to explore and experiment with their food. In addition to promoting the sustainable use of fish through our Dock to Dish program, our Executive Chef, Marine Biology Team and Health Practitioner are working together to identify seaweeds and sea greens that can be used for consumption. Encouraging the use of these sea vegetables promotes the sustainable use of our marine resources and is another initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions from food miles.
OUR NURSERY STYLES
VERTICAL TREE NURSERIES
These nurseries are great for growing corals at different depths in the water column.
HORIZONTAL ROPE NURSERIES
These nurseries are great for growing large quantities of branching corals all at once.
CEMENT DISK NURSERIES
These nurseries are great for growing encrusting and plate corals that cannot grow on ropes.
CORAL RESTORATION
One of the greatest threats to coral reefs around the world is climate change by rising sea temperatures. To ensure the reef surrounding Kokomo continues to thrive, we launched our Kokomo Coral Restoration Project in 2018. This project is being led by the Kokomo Marine Biology Team and Marine Department, and our main goal is to increase the number of heat resilient corals on our Kokomo house reef. The more heat resilient corals we have on our house reef, the more likely the reef will survive in years to come.
To date Kokomo has transplanted over 2,000 corals back on to our house reef and has increased our coral nurseries to hold over 3,000 corals per season. We have added 2 new coral nurseries to our eastern side and grow corals in 3 different styles of nursery.
CORAL GARDENS
Guests are encouraged to take part in all stages of the restoration process. Working with our team they can learn how to identify heat resilient corals, plant coral fragments into one of our 7 coral nurseries, and learn how to transplant corals back on to the Kokomo house reef.
DIVE AGAINST DEBRIS
Project AWARE’s flagship citizenscience program, Dive Against Debris®, empowers scuba divers to remove marine debris from the ocean and report data on the types, quantities, and locations of materials collected. Since the program’s launch in 2011, more than 86,000 divers have participated in Dive Against Debris® in 120 countries around the world, reporting over 1.6 million pieces of trash.
In partnership with Project AWARE, Kokomo joined the Adopt a Dive Site® initiative, with our marine team committing to monthly Dive Against Debris® surveys in “Walker Restoration Reef”. The team perform regular reef clean-ups and coral restoration activities to ensure our surrounding reef thrives and remains healthy.
Project AWARE is a registered nonprofit organization working with volunteer scuba divers. With offices in UK, US, and Australia, Project AWARE supports divers acting in their own communities to protect the ocean, with a focus on implementing lasting change in two core areas: shark conservation and marine litter.
CLAM NURSERY
Giant clams (Tridacnidae) are the largest bivalve molluscs on earth and can weigh up to 200kg. Since 1996, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature have listed giant clams on their Red List of Threatened Animals, resulting from continued overharvesting.
To help protect and maintain Fiji’s giant clam population, Kokomo has started a clam nursery project. Working in collaboration with the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries ‘Clam Hatchery Conservation Program’, baby giant claims will be donated to Kokomo for protection, monitoring and transplantation.
Juvenile and sub-adult clams will be housed in our nursery, where they’ll be scrubbed weekly to remove excess algae and parasites. When they’ve grown big enough, they will be moved to Kokomo’s house reef and grouped to promote spawning. Single clams sitting idle on the reef are unlikely to produce young, so transplantation will focus on grouping and clustering giant clams of the same species to allow for fertilisation to occur.
TURTLE PROJECT
In 2021, Kokomo launched a new collaborative project dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles. Faced with a variety of threats; fishing, pollution, coastal development and global warming, six of seven sea turtle species have become threatened with extinction.
Working in collaboration with the University of the South Pacific and Dr Susanna Piovano, Associate Professor at the School of Marine Studies, our team aims to monitor, preserve and protect turtle nesting sites on nearby islands. As well as uncovering information on the nesting and foraging behaviours of Sea Turtles in Fiji protecting, a key aspect of Dr Piovano’s research includes training and educating locals and establishing strong community rapports.
As the first turtle data contributors in the Kadavu region, we have already identified one hawksbill nest on Kokomo Private Island and several others on nearby islands. Both Hawksbill and Green Turtles can be found year round on the house reef.
MANTA CONSERVATION
Extending for over 100km (62 miles), the Great Astrolabe Reef is brimming with an enormous variety of sea life, including the extraordinary reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi). These gentle giants have been threatened globally, by climate change and targeted fisheries. To help raise awareness and protect the Fijian manta population, Kokomo launched the Kokomo Manta Conservation Project’, encompassing a Manta Tagging Project, Manta Identification Work and an Adopt a Manta Initiative, in collaboration with the Manta Project Fiji.
ADOPT A MANTA
In collaboration with The Manta Project Fiji, Kokomo launched an “Adopt a Manta Initiative”. By ‘adopting’ a manta, guests are given the opportunity to support global efforts to research and protect these gentle giants. Guests will have the opportunity to name their manta ray, and will receive bi-monthly updates on their manta’s progress, where they have been sighted and any exciting news from our ongoing research.
Working in conjunction with Kokomo Private Island and other resorts across Fiji, the Manta Trust is attempting to estimate the size of Fiji’s manta population and the movement of these animals within and around the archipelago. This will provide much-needed baseline data on the current state of the country’s resident population.
PROJECT LEADER
Luke Gordon is a Marine Biologist and underwater photographer, best known for his role as Project Leader of the Manta Project Fiji. Having spent over five years working in Fiji on various marine conservation topics, Luke moved into a new role of Project Leader for the Manta Trust Fiji in 2018. He brings a wealth of experience in marine conservation from the Maldives, Ecuador and the Seychelles, where he was most recently involved in the Seychelles Manta Ray Project.
Since the collaboration began, we have helped increase the size of the Fiji database by more than 60%
MANTA IDENTIFICATION
Since 2017, Kokomo has worked closely with The Manta Project Fiji, a not-forprofit organisation, dedicated to the research of manta rays. Together, we are working to estimate the size and movement of Fiji’s manta population within and around our archipelago, raising awareness of their conservation needs and the benefits of sustainable tourism.
When the collaboration first began, Kokomo relied on photo identification to help identify individual reef manta rays. By taking photographs of the spot patterns on their bellies, our marine biologists have helped to identify over 140 manta rays for the Fiji database. Similar to a birthmark, these spot patterns are completely unique. During the season, guests will have the opportunity to snorkel with manta rays and to capture photographic images for identification.
MANTA TAGGING
To further document the broad-scale movement patterns of reef manta rays, Kokomo has deployed a network of acoustic and satellite tags. Ground breaking for science and conservation, this is the first manta tagging project in Fiji, and the first acoustic manta tagging project in the South Pacific. The tags are expected to help us gain a better understanding of hot spot areas mantas use in the greater Fiji area, providing guidance on how we can better monitor and protect these areas.
CYCLONE FEEDING
Cyclone feeding is a group foraging behaviour of Manta rays whereby the Mantas move in a vortex like pattern as it is the most efficient way to eat such a density of plankton. This is a very rare foraging activity and has only been observed around Kokomo in Fiji. Cyclone feeding can reach up to hundreds in other parts of the world.
SUSTAINABLE INTERACTIONS
Snorkelling or diving with a manta ray is an unforgettable experience and one that Kokomo hopes all guests will look forward to. Found year round at Kokomo’s many dive sites, snorkelling encounters are most likely to occur between June and September. To ensure the experience is not detrimental to the manta rays, Kokomo has partnered with The Manta Trust to implement guidelines on How to Swim with Manta Rays. Our framework ensures that all guests understand how to behave in-water, enhancing the experience for everyone involved.
