Page 24 - Fiji Traveller 2024 Issue 6
P. 24

"I  knew  that  the  story  of  Fiji’s  Shark  Reef  Marine  Reserve
                                                             was unique and needed to be told far and wide. This little seed
                                                             eventually grew over the years into a definite plan of creating a
                                                             coffee table book with lots of easy-to-understand information."
                                                               The reserve's founder, Mike Neumann, played a pivotal role
                                                             in  shaping  Tom’s  perspective,  inspiring  him  to  document  the
                                                             reserve's unique story.
                                                               The  book  vividly  portrays Tom’s  memorable  experiences  in
                                                             the reserve, emphasizing the deep connection between humans
                                                             and sharks. He notes: "Just a few seconds when a bull shark
                                                             passes you in 30m depth, its eye clearly looking at you, and
                                                             you look back at it, can be such a moment." Through his lens,
                                                             Tom challenges the stereotypical portrayal of sharks as mindless
                                                             killing machines, highlighting their complex social structures and
                                                             behaviours.
                                                               As  a  marine  biologist  and  photographer,  Tom
                                                             discusses  the  delicate  balance  between  capturing
                                                             the  beauty  of  marine  life  and  conveying  crucial
                                                             conservation messages.
                                                               "To me, this often goes hand in hand...we cannot
                                                             have  enough  storytellers  spreading  awareness
                                                             through various mediums and formats and hopefully
                                                             get people to care about certain issues," he states.
                                                               One of the book's highlights is the win-win-win situation created
                                                             by the shark dives in the reserve, where shark protection, local
                                                             economic benefits, and community involvement are intertwined.
                                                               "The chance to share the water with these mighty predators
                                                             continues to draw thousands of tourists to Fiji year after year,
                                                             and all these visitors need hotels, restaurants, and flights - all
                                                             revenue that flows into Fiji’s economy."
                                                               Similarly, Tom discussed the unique partnership the Sanctuary
                                                             and  industry  has  developed  with  nearby  Galoa  village:  "The
                                                             village receives a dive levy from every visitor who dives in the
                                                             SRMR in exchange for not fishing in the area.
                                                               “Over the years, this partnership has resulted in the payment
                                                             of tens of thousands of Fiji dollars to the community, which can
                                                             freely decide what to do with the money," he said.
                                                               The collaboration has also led to increased fish catches and
                                                             diversity in surrounding areas, showcasing the positive spillover




























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