Conservationist
Alex's scuba diving
skills have taken her to remote parts of the world working on
conservation projects for their host countries. When
working as part of a team in a remote and limited environment,
other skills such as logistics, time management, basic
mechanical/electrical/plumbing repairs as well as excellent
interpersonal skills were equally as important as the underwater
survey work being undertaken. Fish counting and monitoring,
coral monitoring, current meters and sediment traps were all
in a days work. Alex has wonderful memories of her expedition
life in Fiji, Belize and Mexico.
Belize, Central America
The site was a remote
island (basically just sand, coconut palms and mangroves).
Everyone lived in our own individual basha (bivouac), basically
a hammock between 2 coconut trees with a tarpaulin for a roof.
There was no fresh water and so it had to be shipped in every
week along with our fuel (gas bottles and boat, compressor and
generator fuel) and food supplies (which were predominantly
dried or tinned as we had no refrigeration). Every few weeks a
new phase began and a new group of volunteers would join the
group and
they all worked as a team to maintain the camp, cook, fill the air
cylinders, drive the boats as well as do the diver training and
eventually the underwater survey work. This mainly consisted of coral monitoring
by the use of quadrants and marked leaded lines. Current meters and sediment
traps were also located at strategic points in order to educate the locals about their farming methods
and its impact on the environment. As living conditions were
very basic (composting toilets and sea water to wash in) and food
was limited - it was always amazing how creative people can be
in terms of food and
entertainment. So, staff had to be encouraging and
motivating at all times.
The marine life is
Belize was pretty good, in fact the best diving Alex had done up
to
this point but it was about to get better ....
Fiji,
Melanesia
Pita Biciloa, The
Ranger No Stranger To Danger, was from the village, Denimanu,
and also Greenforce's main contact on Yadua. He and other members of the National Trust for Fiji
were taught to scuba dive in order that they follow safe diving practices
and understand the impact of their fish farming on their
environment. Pita kept the camp (Nawesevu) up
to date on village affairs. Most of the group were "adopted" by
families in the village, but if not, you would become part of
Pita's extended family on Sundays after church (which was
expected although not enforced), or after any village meeting.
Again conditions were
basic but not to the same degree as Belize! Alex started off in a
tent but due to longevity, she inherited her own small bure
(thatched hut made of coconut fronds), while the volunteers had
to share a bigger bure sardine-style! They also had the luxury
of fresh water thanks to the mountain spring and also the
excessive amount of rain! Accessing the mainland by boat could
be a very long and perilous journey as the weather and sea
conditions could be extremely wild on this fantastic but remote
location. The journey was made by negotiation with the villagers
who took staff members there at best once a week in their old
wooden fishing boats for in order to gain our supplies, fuel and
food supplies at the same time give them some income. The
village was dry but they made an exception for the camp when we
could enjoy a drink on a Saturday night although one member of
staff was appointed to stay sober each week. Food rationing was
in place although they did operate a
"tuck shop" for chocolate and soft drinks.
Just before going to
Fiji, Alex had been on holiday to Micronesia (Truk, Yap and
Palau) and that had surpassed her experience in Belize. Fiji
surpassed her experience in Micronesia.
Pez Maya, Mexico
Alex was invited to stay on Global Vision International's
site with a view to taking on another role as scuba diving
instructor. Due to circumstances back home, she didn't actually
take on the role but it was interesting to see yet another
project site. This project site was probably the least
remote and the most luxurious she had ever seen! It was on the mainland, half an hour
by bus to the nearest town of Tulum, east coast of Mexico. The
staff and volunteers here lived in buildings, although rather
run down and derelict, they did have a kitchen with a proper
stove and oven and well for water and even a flush toilet, of
sorts!
Luxury.
The actual dive sites
on the camp were nothing special. However, some of the more
distant project sites were more interesting and after leaving
camp, she did some better diving in Mexico, namely Cozumel.
