Fiji Barefoot Manta - Community Relief Fund

Fiji Barefoot Manta - Community Relief Fund

From Rick Ryan

All funds go to support ongoing Barefoot Manta conservation efforts & the Mauira village community in remote Yasawa Islands, NW Fiji who have been severely impacted by the spread of COVID & loss of work and wages.

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Update #21

about 2 years ago

Hi Rick,

It is with much gratitude and appreciation that I write this summary of the fundraising initiative that was conducted over the last two years.

On March 22nd 2022, Barefoot Manta Resort (along with the majority of other businesses in Fiji, if not the world) closed and all local staff were placed on Unpaid Leave. Initially, this was planned to be for several months, however as the reality of the pandemic emerged, it became apparent that the resort would be staying closed for much longer, and the community here in the Yasawa Islands (NW Fiji) were going to have to adapt to a life without jobs and without a steady income.

The communities in the islands here are quite well suited to living off the land. Over those first few months, an increased focus on farming was placed, and local root crops, fruits, and vegetables were planted around the villages wherever there was space. The other traditional source of nutrition is fishing. The communities here have developed many different techniques for extracting protein off a coral reef - during the pandemic, the focus on getting food this way was upscaled significantly. Without fishing and farming, there might not have been enough food to feed all the mouths of the young, the old, and everyone in-between.

At Barefoot Manta, the surrounding reefs are part of the traditional fishing grounds of Muaira village (Qoli-qoli). This particular Qoli-qoli has been designated as a ‘tabu reef’, in other words, a No Fish Zone (NFZ), by the village council since 2011. In the proceeding years, this protection proved to be crucial to the health of the reef ecosystem (fish, corals, invertebrates etc), and we have seen an increase in biomass and biodiversity in that time. In 2019, data showed that the NFZ had three times the number of grazing fish as the reef on the same island where fishing is still permitted. Also in 2019, we observed that a bleaching event affected corals outside the NFZ more severely than inside.

The lack of jobs and need for food resulted in a significant increase in the amount of fishing effort inside NFZ. The majority of these incidents came from the villages neighbouring Muaira, although there were occasional visits from fishing boats from the mainland (2 hours away). To put these numbers in perspective there were 2 fishing incidents observed inside the NFZ in 2019; there were 35 incidents in the first 6 months after the resort closed in March 2020. This dramatic increase in fishing pressure meant that for the first time since the protection had started, the reef around our island was at serious threat of ecological degradation and decline. In order to mitigate this impact, and to provide support to the local community through these tough times, the is fund-raiser was started. In total $10,165 (AUD) was raised through the Fiji Barefoot Manta - Community Relief Fund https://fundly.com/fiji-barefoot-staff-relief-fund

Between September 2020 and December 2021, several transfers were made to the Conservation Team at Barefoot Manta. A quick summary of what this money has paid for:

• Four deliveries of food rations to the village. Each delivery consisted of 42 parcels (1 for each household) containing flour, rice, sugar, tea, noodles, and cooking oil. Each parcel contained around 15kgs worth of food.
• Fish warden wages for 18 months. Being able to have a fish warden permanently based on the island resulted in the fishing pressure slowly decreasing over the course of 2020, and then remaining relatively low for the whole of 2021. There were isolated incidents that required the fish warden to implore the support of the most senior chiefs who preside over the local politics of the region. Being able to have representation within the local political and cultural landscape is something that cannot be understated when it comes to managing the fishing pressure in these remote islands. Without the fundraiser, it would not have been possible to have a fish warden based permanently on the island, and the ecological consequences would likely have been vast and widespread.
• Materials for coral nurseries - in 2020, 350 coral colonies (12 species) were grown and planted. In 2021, 1400 coral colonies (22 species) were established in the nurseries, and these will be planted throughout 2022.
• School boat maintenance: $750 worth of supplies were purchased to allow the Muaira village school boat to be fixed. While the schools were closed during the pandemic, this wooden vessel started to develop rot and became unseaworthy towards the end of 2020. By the time the schools had opened in February 2022, this vessel was up and running and was able to take the young boys and girls of Muaira to the high school which would otherwise have been inaccessible to them.

It is misleading to directly equate the money transferred into a quantity of reef biomass that might have otherwise been removed from the ecosystem. Having lived intimately with this community during the last two years, I will maintain that had this fundraiser not happened, then significantly more reef biomass would have been consumed, and the reef ecosystem around our island would have been significantly degraded. Instead, today, the reef is thriving, and with the reopening of borders, and the gradual reopening of hotels and resorts around the country, it feels as if we were able to successfully weather the storm; this would not have been the case without the funding.

I want to personally thank all who have contributed. You have tangibly and observably helped the local community through this tough time, but also you have ensured that the magnificent, vibrant coral reef scape around our island has thrived and will likely continue to do so for years, and decades to come.

Vinaka vaka levu

Rob Macfarlane
Senior Marine Biologist
Barefoot Manta Resort

https://www.barefootmantafiji.com/

More Info

Although everyone around the world has been affected by COVID, some people have been affected more than others. 

In addition to the 1000's of families and independent travellers who have stayed at Barefoot Manta, so have 100s of RMIT University staff and students as part of the Self-sufficiency and Sustainability in remote South Pacific islands (Fiji) study tour program.

The funds that tourism and these University study tours inject into the local economy is substantial and has (had) a direct impact on many peoples standard of living including putting food on the table, access to health care and supporting other basic living costs.

Due to COVID, RMIT was able to run only 1 study tour before Barefoot Manta and was forced to close on 22 March 2020.

Unfortunately, this means dozens of RMIT students will not experience Fijian hospitality and here a joyous BULA! or sincere Vinaka! which those who have been stayed at Barefoot Manta and Kuata know and remember so well. But of far more consequence, is the impact on those employed at Barefoot Manta whose income was devastated when tourism STOPED.

Although the Barefoot Manta has retained a skeleton staff and is committed to supporting the local community, it can't sustain pre-covid levels without tourism. Consequently, Barefoot staff such as those who work in the kitchen, the restaurant, in entertainment and housekeeping, as well as maintenance workers, gardeners, boat captains and dive shop staff - those you see below - have all been impacted. Share your memories of Barefoot Manta here

This relief fund has been set up so we can show the friends we made at Barefoot Manta that we care. 

So please give what you can perhaps $20 or $50 if you are also struggling or more if you have retained your job. 

Please just give what you can: 100% of the funds raised go to the people of Mauria village (as food supplies) and ongoing conservation of the locally managed marine protected area, including employment of Fish Wardens from Mauira village to stop poaching  (less Fundly Fees of 7.8% + $.30 per gift)

Read more about the impact of COOVID on Fijian tourism:

Quotes from RMIT students who participated in the RMIT University, Self-sufficiency and Sustainability in remote South Pacific islands (Fiji) study tour program:

  • It definitely made me remember how much I enjoy working with people on social issues, and how I can use my privilege to help those who are not as fortunate.
  • As a result of this visit, I have gained a broader perspective of education. I have gained a greater understanding and appreciation for the challenges that the Fijian teachers face on a daily basis, particularly in terms of the environment and resources. This has motivated me to consider how we can best use the resources we have in Australia to help.
  • The staff at Barefoot Manta were great and helped us out lots and taught us lots about water issues in Fiji and other interesting things relevant to the island and Fiji.
  • The staff at Barefoot Manta were incredibly welcoming and took every chance to get involved with us regardless if it was a general discussion or talk related to our projects. Without the Barefoot Manta staff, I wouldn't have been able to obtain the quantity and quality of information that I did.
  • Staff at Barefoot Manta and Barefoot Kuata are mostly the locals, these people and our relationship with them is invaluable. All staff were fantastic.
  • The staff were very friendly and helpful they are excited to see changes and sustainability efforts on the island and they were quick to assist us with any requirements such as the back-of-house tours, trips to locations to be studied, and providing time-saving information that can tremendously help with my project.
  • The cultural differences and the perspectives of the Fijian people give an alternative view of the world that has caused me to reflect on the way I act in my own life.
  • It has inspired me to be the best educator I can be and further develop my ability. (I would like) to go back to Fiji and develop teaching relationships to benefit the communities.
  • The study tour has made me aware of the things we take for granted and reminded me of the simple pleasures we often forget.

Campaign Wall

Rick Ryan posted a new update:
about 2 years ago

Update #22

Hi Rick,

It is with much gratitude and appreciation that I write this summary of the fundraising initiative that was conducted over the last two years.

On March 22nd 2022, Barefoot Manta Resort (along with the majority of other businesses in Fiji, if not the world) closed and all local staff were placed on Unpaid Leave. Initially, this was planned to be for several months, however as the reality of the pandemic emerged, it became apparent that the resort would be staying closed for much longer, and the community here in the Yasawa Islands (NW Fiji) were going to have to adapt to a life without jobs and without a steady income.

The communities in the islands here are quite well suited to living off the land. Over those first few months, an increased focus on farming was placed, and local root crops, fruits, and vegetables were planted around the villages wherever there was space. The other traditional source of nutrition is fishing. The communities here have developed many different techniques for extracting protein off a coral reef - during the pandemic, the focus on getting food this way was upscaled significantly. Without fishing and farming, there might not have been enough food to feed all the mouths of the young, the old, and everyone in-between.

At Barefoot Manta, the surrounding reefs are part of the traditional fishing grounds of Muaira village (Qoli-qoli). This particular Qoli-qoli has been designated as a ‘tabu reef’, in other words, a No Fish Zone (NFZ), by the village council since 2011. In the proceeding years, this protection proved to be crucial to the health of the reef ecosystem (fish, corals, invertebrates etc), and we have seen an increase in biomass and biodiversity in that time. In 2019, data showed that the NFZ had three times the number of grazing fish as the reef on the same island where fishing is still permitted. Also in 2019, we observed that a bleaching event affected corals outside the NFZ more severely than inside.

The lack of jobs and need for food resulted in a significant increase in the amount of fishing effort inside NFZ. The majority of these incidents came from the villages neighbouring Muaira, although there were occasional visits from fishing boats from the mainland (2 hours away). To put these numbers in perspective there were 2 fishing incidents observed inside the NFZ in 2019; there were 35 incidents in the first 6 months after the resort closed in March 2020. This dramatic increase in fishing pressure meant that for the first time since the protection had started, the reef around our island was at serious threat of ecological degradation and decline. In order to mitigate this impact, and to provide support to the local community through these tough times, the is fund-raiser was started. In total $10,165 (AUD) was raised through the Fiji Barefoot Manta - Community Relief Fund https://fundly.com/fiji-barefoot-staff-relief-fund

Between September 2020 and December 2021, several transfers were made to the Conservation Team at Barefoot Manta. A quick summary of what this money has paid for:

• Four deliveries of food rations to the village. Each delivery consisted of 42 parcels (1 for each household) containing flour, rice, sugar, tea, noodles, and cooking oil. Each parcel contained around 15kgs worth of food.
• Fish warden wages for 18 months. Being able to have a fish warden permanently based on the island resulted in the fishing pressure slowly decreasing over the course of 2020, and then remaining relatively low for the whole of 2021. There were isolated incidents that required the fish warden to implore the support of the most senior chiefs who preside over the local politics of the region. Being able to have representation within the local political and cultural landscape is something that cannot be understated when it comes to managing the fishing pressure in these remote islands. Without the fundraiser, it would not have been possible to have a fish warden based permanently on the island, and the ecological consequences would likely have been vast and widespread.
• Materials for coral nurseries - in 2020, 350 coral colonies (12 species) were grown and planted. In 2021, 1400 coral colonies (22 species) were established in the nurseries, and these will be planted throughout 2022.
• School boat maintenance: $750 worth of supplies were purchased to allow the Muaira village school boat to be fixed. While the schools were closed during the pandemic, this wooden vessel started to develop rot and became unseaworthy towards the end of 2020. By the time the schools had opened in February 2022, this vessel was up and running and was able to take the young boys and girls of Muaira to the high school which would otherwise have been inaccessible to them.

It is misleading to directly equate the money transferred into a quantity of reef biomass that might have otherwise been removed from the ecosystem. Having lived intimately with this community during the last two years, I will maintain that had this fundraiser not happened, then significantly more reef biomass would have been consumed, and the reef ecosystem around our island would have been significantly degraded. Instead, today, the reef is thriving, and with the reopening of borders, and the gradual reopening of hotels and resorts around the country, it feels as if we were able to successfully weather the storm; this would not have been the case without the funding.

I want to personally thank all who have contributed. You have tangibly and observably helped the local community through this tough time, but also you have ensured that the magnificent, vibrant coral reef scape around our island has thrived and will likely continue to do so for years, and decades to come.

Vinaka vaka levu

Rob Macfarlane
Senior Marine Biologist
Barefoot Manta Resort

https://www.barefootmantafiji.com/

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
about 2 years ago

Update #21

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: With the reopening of the Barefoot Manta Island Resort - this fundraising campaign has FINISHED.

So a great big THANKYOU/ VINAKA VAKALEVU to all who were so generous in donating over the last 2 years and to the team at Barefoot Manta without whom this campaign could never have existed - ESPECIALLY Rob Macfarlane and Tai Sami...

Your donations were used to:

1. Sustain the marine conservation efforts at Barefoot Manta, including coral reef restoration
2. Provide food rations/relief to every family (42 households) in Mau-ira Village - on multiple occasions
3. Repair the Mau-ira village school boat
4. Employ Barefoot Manta staff from Mau-ira Village to protect the locally managed marine protected area from poaching
- for full details read the 20 updates below.

Warmest wishes to everyone in Fiji and who donated,

*** Fiji Barefoot Manta - Community Relief Fund ***
***** Rick Ryan (Co-ordinator) *****

----
RE-OPENING - 1st April 2022

https://www.facebook.com/BarefootMantaIsland
https://www.barefootmantafiji.com/

Bula, the Barefoot Manta community are excited to announce Barefoot Manta Island Resort Fiji will re-open 1st April 2022.

Our resort is Care Fiji Commitment Certified, a Covid19 safe best practice initiative, with all staff fully vaccinated.
Barefoot Manta Island Resort Fiji will initially be serviced by Awesome Adventures Fiji/South Sea Cruises ferry service on Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat, with daily ferry services recommencing 1st July 2022.

You can stay any day of the week but need to arrive or depart on Mon, Wed, Fri or Sat.

We look forward to welcoming you and your friends.
Vinaka

The Barefoot Manta Island Resort matagali (family)

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 2 years ago

Update #20

The funding for protection has continued to be necessary and beneficial.

In the last couple of weeks, we have seen some boats from villages further North come on fishing trips near our reef. The captains came and inquired with Tai Sami where they were allowed to fish and where was protected. They did indeed leave our protected area untouched.

There is still a lot of fishing activity both from villages up and down the Yasawas, and also from the mainland, so it has been so key to have the means (ie the Fish Wardens employed by funds raised the Fiji Barefoot Manta - Community Relief Fund) to ensure our reefs aren’t targeted.

Barefoot Manta https://barefootmantafiji.com/ are looking to reopen in April 2022. Hopefully, with all Fiji resorts opening again, more people will get salaries and the fishing pressure will relent somewhat. These have been extremely trying times for the local community, but these donations have at least ensured our reef hasn't been stripped clean.

The last couple of months have been very productive for setting up nurseries and planting corals. We have planted over 500 corals this year, and our nurseries will soon contain over 1,200 fragments across 21 species. Our fish species catalogue is up to 315 species (and counting), which is also pretty cool. Watch our latest video about this project here https://youtu.be/OdNFIYM7_Zw

As always I want to extend my earnest thanks to all who have donated; the collective contribution has been massive for the reef and for the local community.

Kind regards,
Rob

Marine Scientist, Barefoot Manta.

**Please tell your friends (share this post/email) about how YOU (through your donations) have helped to support the protection of the Locally Managed Marien Protected area around Drawaqa Island and on multiple occasions, provide much-needed food rations to all the families of Mau ira Village in the Yasawa chain of Islands, Fiji.

#SupportBarefootMantaCommunityFiji
#BarefootManta

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 2 years ago

Update #19

Dear supporters, for those of you who haven't YET been to Barefoot Manta, the Yasawa's or Fiji... I just thought you may like to check these links out. In the image (above) you can see the location of Barefoot Manta and Mau-ira to Nadi (where the Fiji international airport is located) on Viti Levu (which is the name of the biggest Island of Fiji - ie Fiji the nation is made up of about 330 islands).

Google Maps
Mau-ira Village https://goo.gl/maps/z93SF6egrUeryEaA9
Barefoot Manta https://goo.gl/maps/rXEN3o4avUDrUnxJ9

Google Earth 3D
Mau-ira https://bit.ly/3G9yWb0
Barefoot Manta https://bit.ly/3je13vL

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 2 years ago

Update #18

Wahoo..... look what arrived at Mauira today :-)

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 2 years ago

Update #17

<<<Fiji Barefoot Manta - Community Relief Fund>>>
Bula everyone, just thought I'd share a recent email I received from Rob at Barefoot Manta after a recent transfer of funds (donated by you) from Aust. to Fiji.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Rick,

Amazing news. We will get onto organising the next batch of food rations. Gareth and I were discussing yesterday how vital these have been from a conservation perspective, but with the recent outbreak of COVID on Naviti, and Muaira experiencing a 2-week lockdown (recently lifted), this next batch of food rations will be perhaps the most important yet.

I'll keep you updated over the coming weeks regarding the delivery of rations.

Huge thanks again,

Rob

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 2 years ago

Update #16

WATCH this NEW video to see another way the funds being donated are utilised https://youtu.be/X04qJrcVUKY

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 2 years ago

Update #15

Watch this video https://youtu.be/BiDZlybeQ-8 to see your donation at work - a food parcel for every family at Mauira village.

Your ongoing support is having an enormous impact on the lives of dozens of families at Mauira village and the Barefoot Manta Community more generally. Hoverer, now more than ever the Barefoot Manta Community - staff and families need our help.

Please donate, and ask friends, family and colleagues to help too. A donation of $20 or $50 or more isn't a huge amount to us but will help feed a family or 2 families or more.......

https://fundly.com/fiji-barefoot-staff-relief-fund
https://www.facebook.com/SupportBarefootMantaCommunityFiji
#SupportBarefootMantaCommunityFiji
#barefootmanta

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 2 years ago

Update #14

Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated...

Hi everyone, reading the following article (see below) has prompted me to post to let you all know that the funds you have donated are STILL WORKING. We are still paying the wages of Fish Wardens to stop poaching on the locally managed Marine Protected Area and we are planning more food donations.

When we started this fundraising initiative, it was because covid had stopped tourism in Fiji, therefore eliminating the income source for all the workers at Barefoot Manta. Who would have thought (back in April 2020) that now in July 2021, covid would not only be stopping tourism but now spreading across the Fijian population.

To be honest, I don't know if covid has infected the people of the Yasawas, but I do know that they still need our (YOUR) support to get through this devastating pandemic as access to work and food has been severely impacted.

So if you still have a job and income, please make a small donation, even just $20 or $50AUD makes a difference in Fiji.

Fijians harness the fundraising power of social media as their government struggles with the COVID-19 crisis https://theconversation.com/fijians-harness-the-fundraising-power-of-social-media-as-their-government-struggles-with-the-covid-19-crisis-164390

Image from Fiji covid dashboard 20/7/2021 https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/db0cf0a2827d4c718a5a9ad823482028

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
almost 3 years ago

Update #13

Hi Rick. Here are the videos from yesterday -
https://youtu.be/_-aq_rYa0VA - sorry for the lack of sound in the last bit, I accidentally dropped my phone in the sea! Thankfully it wasn't seriously damaged.

Everyone in the village was really grateful for the support. It really is appreciated here, so thank you so much for making this happen

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
almost 3 years ago

Update #12

Hi Rick, Really long time since I've written one of these for you. Apologies for that, but I have some progress.

School boat: while the repairs havent been made yet, the materials have been purchased and are there in the village. The man who is responsible for carrying out the repairs is apparently still on the mainland, but I've been assured they are trying to get him out to the village to complete the job.

Food rations: we have a barge coming up at the end of this month and we will be looking to put the next batch of food rations for the village on. The order will be the same - rice, flour, sugar, tea, noodles and cooking oil for each of the 42 households.

Fish wardens: last week we had an incident where a boat from the mainland was using illegal fishing equipment inside our protected reef. Our fishwardens were able to send them away, and report their boat number to the Fisheries officer. The boat was from Ba, which doesnt have any fishing licenses for this part of the Yasawas (only vessels from Lautoka can be provided licenses for here, at the discretion of Tui Naviti). We hope they will be fully prosecuted, both through Tui Naviti and the community channels, and through the legal channels of the Fisheries department.

Coral projects: a new coral nursery has been constructed just off Sunrise beach. So far there are over 400 coral fragments growing, but this will be 1000 by the time the nursery is finished. You can see the construction on the YouTube channel:

Part 1 - https://youtu.be/sS8Yf7CXPKU
Part 2 - https://youtu.be/IweBw9Tbyzs

None of these updates would have been possible without the support. Thank you once again to yourself for organising everything and to all who have contributed.

Vinaka va levu,

Rob

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
about 3 years ago

Update #11

The final $700 from the first donation, which was saved to donate to the village education fund at the end of the year will be allocated in the next few weeks.

The Muaira school boat needs some repairs and Tai Sami has requested that this be what the money goes towards. Repairs are desperately needed to the keel and the stern.

They've been overloading a fibre boat as a replacement, so fixing this boat is definitely a worthy use of funds.

PLEASE SHARE and encourage colleagues, friends and family more fortunate than our friends in Fiji, to donate.

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
about 3 years ago

Update #10

Hello friends, as I'm sure you are all aware, Fiji has once again experienced severe weather with many villages damaged. We are about to make the final transfer of funds to Fiji so this is your last chance to donate here with all funds going to support the Fijians employed by Barefoot Collection.

BUT there are many others affected by Cyclone Yasa and fundraising has been started by Tumax (whom many of you will know from Barefoot Manta and his beautiful guitar playing) pictured. Tumax’s fundraiser is here https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rebuild-fiji-after-tropical-cyclone-yasa?utm_source=messenger&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 3 years ago

Update #9

Bula Christmas friends of #SupportBarefootStaffFiji

Our TARGET is to raise $10,000 by Christmas: All funds go to Fijian employees & families of Barefoot Collection (Manta & Kuata) Yasawa Islands, Fiji affected by the shutdown of tourism & loss of work & wages due to COVID

DONATE HERE https://fundly.com/fiji-barefoot-staff-relief-fund

With just 2 weeks to Christmas, now's the time to give to our Fiji friends,
- this is your opportunity to send some Christmas cheer to our friends in Fiji,
- to Barefoot Manta staff and Mua-ira families
- to employ locals' to protect the locally managed marine protected area from poaching
- to provide staple food requirements necessary for children's health and the whole family!!

Donate AND share AND tell your family, friends and colleagues why you donated and they should too....
- Check out what's been going in via recent Updates here https://fundly.com/fiji-barefoot-staff-relief-fund#updates

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 3 years ago

Update #8

Plastic Waste Survey: https://youtu.be/rkB2BoTURZk

During November 2020, Self-sufficiency and Sustainability in remote South Pacific islands (Fiji) project https://outbound.rmit.edu.au/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=11601 funded Barefoot Manta Marine Biologist, Rob Macfarlane with Bete &
Jope Sadranu under the guidance of RMIT University Assoc. Prof. Graeme Allinson to collect micro and macro plastics from Sunrise & Sunset beaches, Backyard, BBQ, Goat & Vally beaches on Barefoot Manta as well as a couple of beaches on Naviti Island. The Rob, Bete & Jope then sorted and recorded what they found and samples were sent to be analysed at RMIT University in Melbourne.

The data from this survey will add to data from previous surveys made by RMIT University students travelling to Barefoot Manta since 2017 which was not able to occur in 2020 due to COVID travel restrictions, it is hoped that RMIT University students will return to #BarefootManta in 2021.

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 3 years ago

Update #7

Updates from Barefoot Manta Marine Protected Area (MPA):

The last few months have been very positive in terms of protection and management of the reef. The current fish wardens (Tai Sami and Tai Buli) haven't had to ward off any fishing activity for over a month, which implies that efforts earlier in the season had far-reaching benefits. The lads still patrol the reef and keep a lookout, but everything is going well for the meantime.

There have also been recent discussions with some of the senior chiefs of the villages, in particular Tui Naviti (the head chief of all the villages on Naviti and the surrounding islands), regarding the management of our reef. Tui Naviti has apparently fully endorsed this locally managed MPA, and even came to the island to visit Tai Sami and Tai Buli. They both said he was very happy with everything.

The conservation team on the island have been developing a new coral out-planting technique. They have been using a mixture of plaster and cement to make little balls which can be used to fix already grown coral colonies to the reef. The corals used are colonies that have become detached from the reef, and so far over 100 corals have been reattached using this new technique. As usual, the reef is extremely healthy, with lots of fish life and a very high coral biodiversity.

On the 7th and 8th of November, we saw coral spawning occur on the reef. Billions of mini pink spheres floated to the surface in a snowstorm of reproductive synergy. These dates exactly matched the spawning of 2019 in terms of the November lunar cycle, showing just how fascinating corals can be!

vinaka vakalevu
Rob Macfarlane
(Barefoot Manta marine scientist)
#SupportBarefootStaffFiji #BarefootManta

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 3 years ago

Update #6

Bula everyone, Please see attached a report Rob Macfarlane (#BarefootManta Marine Biologist) made to summarise the conservation and monitoring conducted on the reefs around Barefoot Manta - by Barefoot staff with #RMITUniversity staff & students.

As Rob points out, this is as further evidence that the protection by the fish wardens employed via the https://fundly.com/fiji-barefoot-staff-relief-fund #SupportBarefootStaffFiji is working.

View report here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-QmJq7wRi25rMKiiTF3BuWcLEPYg5Pnk/view?usp=sharing

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 3 years ago

Update #5

Bula to all supporters of Barefoot Collection staff and families. Well, your donation has been delivered and Mauira village families are very grateful.

BUT: we need to do more - so please share this with your friends, colleagues, family and all social networks. Show them what has been achieved and STRONGLY encourage them to donate, every $20, or $50 or $100 makes a difference.

My aim is to raise another $3000 by December so we can send another donation for Christmas - and you are now duly enlisted to the FIJI BAREFOOT COLLECTION STAFF (and their families) FUNDRAISING TEAM.

So, Rob organised the purchase, transportation and deliver of your donation - watch the video of this event here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DabWlvKhQLI

Please read this email I received from Rob about the day when your donation was delivered:

-------------------------------------
Hi Rick,

So debrief from the food donation delivery:

The food rations were purchased by our mainland staff and loaded onto the barge on Friday the 18th of September. We collected the food from the barge at Barefoot around lunchtime and unloaded to the island. We then reloaded the boat and departed for Muaira around 3 pm. Upon arrival loads of kids came to greet us and bit by bit some of the younger lads and older ladies came to help unload the packages and to carry them to the community hall (most of the adult men were working in the farms).

Once all the packages were stacked in the community centre, I read out a speech (see below), both in English and Fijian (Seini translated for me). Then the rations were allocated to each household and distributed out. Tai Sami then conducted the prayer portion of the Sevu Sevu ceremony. After this one older lady was designated to say thank you on behalf of the village and she shared a very touching message of gratitude.

While this was all happening the elder gentlemen started to assemble and arrive bit by bit. The kava was pounded and then bowls were shared to continue the Sevu Sevu.

I was then able to discuss my intentions to return for the water quality testing and to update the village elders on the health of the reef in a bit more detail. I also repeated the speech in Fijian once more, as many of the men weren't present for the initial delivering. Again there were many sincere messages of thanks of gratitude.

In the days following Tai Sami informed me how happy everyone was. It was a real privilege to be present to deliver the food, and I can tell that it has made a real difference to this community.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated. It has taken some time, but that is sometimes the way these things progress in this part of the world. On behalf of Barefoot and the local community, I would like to say a huge Vinaka to all who have contributed.

Warmest regards,

Rob

Speech in English:

To the people of Muaira village,

As many of you will know, RMIT University in Melbourne conducted a fundraiser earlier this year. Many students and staff have contributed, and Rick Ryan, who was in charge of the fundraising, was able to transfer the money about a month ago. After contacting various suppliers to find the best deal, we have finally been able to purchase the following groceries: flour, sugar, tea, rice, soya bean oil, and noodles.

On behalf of Rick, RMIT, Reef Safari and the Barefoot Collection, I would like to extend this donation to you, the village of Muaira, and we hope that this will be able to help make these tough times go slightly easier for you all.

In the coming weeks and months, I will also be coming back to the island to continue the project on drinking water that RMIT has been running for the last few years. They can’t send their students right now with the borders closed, so I will be doing it for them. I need to do tests on the water tanks and the spring, and then maybe use some chlorine to treat contaminated sources. So you will all be seeing much more of me in the future.

God bless you all and lots of love!

Vinaka,
Ropate

Speech in Fijian:

Ni sa bula saka na veiwekani e Muaira.

Me vaka o ni sa kila oti, e ratou a cakava e dua na kumuni sede ko iratou na RMIT University mai Ositerelia e na vica na vula sa oti, ni mai yaco na leqa ni COVID-19. O Rick Ryan, na turaga ka dau veikau mai vei ira na gone vuli mai na RMIT University a liutaka na kumuni lavo o ya. E na vula sa oti, a va’kauta mai o Rick Ryan na i lavo, ka keitou qai mai sasaga taka na i vakailesilesi ni nodatou kabani na kena voli na falawa, suka, ti, raisi, waiwai kei na noodles.

E na vukudratou o Rick Ryan, na RMIT University, Reef Safari kei na nodatou kabani na Barefoot Collection, au mai matataki iratou tiko me’u mai solia e dua na i loloma lailai vei kemuni na veiwekani. Sa neitou i vakanunui ni na bau dua na sala ni veivuke lailai vei kemuni e na gauna dredre e da sotava taucoko tiko qo.

E na vei vula sa tu mai, au na lesu tiko mai vei kemuni meu na mai tomana tiko na project ni varautaki ni wai ni gunu ka sa mai cicivaka tiko na RMIT e na vica na yabaki sa oti. Ni se sega tiko ni rawa ni ra tadu mai na gonevuli ni RMIT e na kena se dredre tiko na veitosoyaki, au sa na sosomi taki ira tiko. Au na mai cakava tiko na kena dikevi na wai e na loma ni vei taqe ni wai, kei na wai vure, kau na vakayagataka talega na chlorine kevaka e so na wai e gadrevi me vakasavasavataki. Au mai kerea kina na nomuni veivosoti ni sa sega ni otioti ni nomuni na raici au nikua, baleta ni’u na lesu tikoga mai.

Sa noqu i nuinui ni na vakaloutaki keda vata tiko na Turaga, ka sa soli tiko na kakana lailai qo e na yalo loloma.

Vinaka saka vakalevu.

Ropate

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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 3 years ago

Update #4

Hi everyone, here is another update on what is being achieved because of your donation, please remember to share this post and ask friends to donate here https://fundly.com/fiji-barefoot-staff-relief-fund/dash so this good work can continue.
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Hi Rick, Just wanted to give you an update on how the donation is being distributed.

1) I have all the funds allocated to assist Tai Sami and co as fish wardens with me on the island. I will be providing a flat weekly rate at the beginning of each week, then at the end of each week I will be providing an additional bonus if there has been no fishing/poaching.

I have attached a photo of Tai Sami and his son Pita, who have both been the main two individuals enforcing the protection at Drawaqa over the past two months. The money provided to the fish wardens is roughly the equivalent to 65 parrotfish or surgeonfish per week (depending on which market you look in). Due to the protection, our reef has a very high abundance of these grazing species, and this has allowed the coral to thrive. As well as the % coral cover being extremely high, there is also very high species diversity. This reef is a spawning centre and will provide coral larvae of multiple species to settle on nearby reefs after future spawning events. Please see the following video to get a visual understanding of how healthy the reef is currently looking:

This donation from the RMIT University Self-sufficiency and Sustainability in remote South Pacific islands (Fiji) team https://outbound.rmit.edu.au/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=11601 via the Fiji Barefoot Collection (Manta & Kuata) - Staff Relief Fund is acting as a substitute means of sustenance for the local community and it will have far-reaching benefits to the natural ecosystems of the surrounding area. Currently we have enough funds for 10 weeks. If you feel that people might want to continue to donate, then there is tangible proof that their money is benefiting the local community and the reef.

2) In terms of the groceries, these have been purchased and will be delivered to the island on Friday. Stand by for lots of photos. Will send a follow up email after everything has been provided.

Thanks a lot once again. Finally getting there!

Vinaka,
Rob Macfarlane
(Barefoot Manta, Marine Biologist)
https://www.facebook.com/BarefootMantaIsland/
https://barefootmantafiji.com/
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Rick Ryan posted a new update:
over 3 years ago

Update #2

Hi everyone, well it's taken a while, but we have finally been able to transfer the funds raised to Fiji so that it can start to be disbursed from next week.

That said this hasn't held up one of the key objectives, being the of employment of 2 Barefoot staff as Local Marine Protected Area Wardens. I will be posting more details about this extremely important initiative next week (as it not only pays wages now, it also contributes to protecting a vital local employment/income generation source - and the environment - for the future) as well as confirmation of food packages (essentials) being delivered to families of Barefoot workers.

So once again, thank you so much for your generous donations, I know it has meant a great deal (both your donations and your thoughtfulness) to everyone at the Barefoot Collection.

BUT, with COVID showing little sign of abating in Australia, these funds and any more we can raise are so important - so once again I ask you to please share this post and website with ALL your friends and family and donate what you can, be it $20, $50, $100 more - every donation helps!!l

Image care of Barefoot Marine Scientist, Rob Macfarlane: Showing one of the Marine Protected Area marker buoys, Rob reported in mid-May that ".. we have installed some MPA marker buoys to indicate the boundaries of the no fish zone. Since lockdown, there has been a slight increase in the amount of fishing, 12 recorded incidences so far (more than all of the entirety of 2019); mostly spear fishing, but some line casting and one sweep with a seine net. The guys on the island who are in charge of enforcing the protection have been mostly effective at sending the boats elsewhere, but the addition of these buoys will hopefully add an air of ‘official-ness’ to protection status. Their installation was requested by Tai Semisi, and has been approved by Tui Naviti.

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