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 Piavano, 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 Piavano’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 our-ocean,house reef.