Sharks – is there a diver out there who doesn’t want to see them? Can any diver honestly say that sharks are boring? Hell, no. We all want to see sharks, but the sad fact is that in many parts of the world, sharks are hunted down and killed. And often it’s not for the meat, just for the fins. Shark finning has reduced shark populations all over the world, and the money that can be made by local fishermen makes it hard to stop unless there’s an alternative.

In Fiji, the team at Beqa Adventure Divers who run shark dives at Lagoon Resort have teamed up with local fishermen, and have created a marine reserve where shark fishing is not allowed. Over the last few years the sharks have started to return in greater numbers, which means great shark dives! Part of the money paid by customers on shark dive trips goes direct to local fishermen, meaning they can profit from protecting the sharks rather than killing them.

This hard work has been recognised by the BBC’s World Challenge, and the “Shark Park” is one of the 12 finalists in the 2006 competition. The winner is due to be announced in December.

For more information on diving in Fiji, see our website: Viti Levu Shark Reef, Lagoon Resort. Or you can contact our Fiji Dive Experts by email on Fiji@Dive-The-World.com