My Fiji Shark
'My Fiji Shark' is a not-for-profit conservation initiative created by Beqa Adventure Divers 'BAD' with support from the United Nations Development Programme 'UNDP'.
'My Fiji Shark' is a shark adoption program.
The sharks you see here offered for adoption are resident to Fiji and visit the Shark Reef Marine Reserve (SRMR) on a consistent basis. Shark Reef is Fiji's First National Marine Park and Shark Sanctuary. There are over 200 individually named sharks catalogued in the scientific database of the SRMR from its' inception in 2003. From the population of visiting sharks, through this special program we are offering a carefully curated selection of individuals for adoption.
When you 'adopt' a shark, you adopt an individual: one with a name, a personality and a life history. Each individual is personally known by the research and dive staff who spend 5 days a week, every week diving and interacting with them.
Project Revenues
All revenues generated from 'My Fiji Shark' are used to fund shark conservation work in Fiji. My Fiji Shark funds research on shark species that inhabit the Fiji Islands. We purchase research materials and equipment to support ongoing research. Currently we are supporting research on bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) which hold the status of VU Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and are especially vulnerable to extirpation in Fiji because they are a genetically closed population.
Currently My Fiji Shark is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries to support legal enforcement efforts of existing regulations which protect shark species.
My Fiji Shark has also created new shark conservation and inshore fisheries management programs which we hope to launch over the next several years.
It is our dream to build the first Shark Lab in Fiji to conduct in-country shark conservation research. We currently have plans for the physical space which will be located at Beqa Adventure Divers Dive Centre. My Fiji Shark was created for the sole purpose of research, advocacy and protection of all of Fiji's shark species and ecosystems they call home.
We are financially poised to assist the Fiji government if and when they will implement their voluntary commitments made at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference.
We are not for profit, funds go directly into conservation works.
The Shark Dive
The Shark Dive takes place in SRMR 5 days a week.
The Shark Dive is 3 levels of diving, and feeding occurs at each level. At the deepest levels are the Tigers, Bull, Tawny Nurse, Silvertip and Sicklefin Lemon Sharks; mid-level are Grey Reef and Whitetip Reef Sharks; in the shallows are Whitetip and Blacktip Reef Sharks. While it is possible to see up to 8 species of sharks on a single dive, 6-7 species are present on a daily basis while Tiger Sharks are less frequent visitors to SRMR.
Feeding Behaviors
The sharks display 3 different feeding behaviors.
Hand Feed: Hand-feeders will take tuna directly from our hand feeders.
Aerial Feed: Aerialists compete for tuna mid-water as it is dropped from a suspended bin.
Substrate Feed: Substrate feeders will retrieve tuna which has fallen to the ocean floor.
Shark ID
Very few sharks can be 'named' during any given year.
To be given a 'name' they must exhibit a permanent identifiable mark, injury or genetic feature which allows them to be recognized, monitored and entered into the scientific data base of the Marine Park. On each shark dive, BAD's staff and researchers observe and record which named sharks are present, their interactions, feeding behaviors and physical attributes notating injuries, pregnancies, mating scars and more.
Shark Adoption Fee
Shark Adoptions are a one time payment for one year. When your adoption has expired you can opt to renew it or adopt another shark. Sharks can be adopted by multiple people, to sponsor and name your own shark please contact us.
