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Marine Stingers in Fiji

A quick guide to Marine Stingers in Fiji and First Aid for those Marine Stings…

marine ecology consulting, Useful Info

True jellyfish have an open bell or hood – the main body shaped like an umbrella, with lots of tentacles or arms coming out of the bottom, where the handle of the umbrella would be.

While all jellyfish can sting, most are not powerful enough to hurt a human for more than 15 – 20 minutes.

The stings are only in the tentacles, not the bell (or body), which are quite short, so some larger jellyfish can safely be pushed out of the way as long as you only touch the bell.

Comb jellies and salps are shaped more like a closed bag or balloon, with no tentacles or sometimes with only two, they DO NOT HAVE STINGS and are totally harmless.

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A quick guide to Marine Stingers in Fiji and First Aid for those Marine Stings…Read More »

A quick guide to Marine Stingers in Fiji and First Aid for those Marine Stings… Read More »

Hazardous Marine Life Medical Reference Book - DAN-Dive-Medical-Reference-2026

Hazardous Marine Life Medical Reference Book – Diver Alert Network

marine ecology consulting, Useful Info

The DAN (Divers Alert Network) Hazardous Marine Life Medical Reference Book is highly regarded as a practical, comprehensive guide for identifying and treating injuries from marine life.

Edited by experts like Dr. Paul Auerbach, it offers concise, actionable first aid and medical information designed to be used by divers, dive professionals, and medical personnel to manage stings, bites, and punctures. 

This book is a highly recommended addition to any diver’s library, particularly those exploring tropical, high-diversity environments. 

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Hazardous Marine Life Medical Reference Book – Diver Alert NetworkRead More »

Hazardous Marine Life Medical Reference Book – Diver Alert Network Read More »

Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) and International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)

GCRMN – Status and Trends of Coral Reefs of the Pacific: 1980–2023 – Fiji Chapter

Publications

Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) and International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) – Status and Trends of Coral Reefs of the Pacific: 1980–2023

Fiji Co-authors: Sangeeta Mangubhai, Amanda Ford, Mike Neuman, Helen Sykes, Alexandra C. Dempsey, Yashika Nand, Jan Freiwald, Jenny Mihaly

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GCRMN – Status and Trends of Coral Reefs of the Pacific: 1980–2023 – Fiji ChapterRead More »

GCRMN – Status and Trends of Coral Reefs of the Pacific: 1980–2023 – Fiji Chapter Read More »

Severe and widespread coral reef damage during the 2014-2017 Global Coral Bleaching Event – Nature Communications,  volume 17, Article number: 1318 (2026) 

Publications

Ocean warming is increasing the frequency, extent, and severity of tropical-coral bleaching and mortality.

During 2014–2017, marine heatwaves caused the Third Global Coral Bleaching Event. We analyze data from 15,066 reef surveys globally during 2014–2017.

Across all surveyed reefs, 80% and 35% experienced moderate or greater (affecting >10% of corals) bleaching and mortality, respectively.

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Severe and widespread coral reef damage during the 2014-2017 Global Coral Bleaching Event – Nature Communications,  volume 17, Article number: 1318 (2026) Read More »

Severe and widespread coral reef damage during the 2014-2017 Global Coral Bleaching Event – Nature Communications,  volume 17, Article number: 1318 (2026)  Read More »

Comparing impacts and recovery of locally managed reefs after exposure to extreme waves from a category 5 cyclone

Comparing impacts and recovery of locally managed reefs after exposure to extreme waves from a category 5 cyclone

marine ecology consulting

Sharing some good news and hope from Fiji about our coral reefs. 

A new study published in the international journal Coral Reefs shows that coral reefs decimated by a severe Category 5 tropical cyclone in 2016 showed surprising resilience and ability for corals to recover in Fiji.

Our study found Cyclone Winston wiped out more than half of hard coral cover in some areas, but reefs rebounded within 4 years, with coral community composition reassembled to near pre-cyclone levels by 2020, supported by high fish biomass.

Our research adds to a growing body of evidence showing high integrity climate-resilient coral reefs around the world (and especially in Fiji!) can withstand and recover from extreme events – offering hope for the future of coral reefs in a warming climate.

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Comparing impacts and recovery of locally managed reefs after exposure to extreme waves from a category 5 cycloneRead More »

Comparing impacts and recovery of locally managed reefs after exposure to extreme waves from a category 5 cyclone Read More »

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in the Indo-Pacific: A Village Stay Model

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in the Indo-Pacific: A Village Stay Model

Publications

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in the Indo-Pacific: A Village Stay Model

In the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programmes described here, university students collaborate with eco-resorts and local villagers to create a commercially viable and culturally experiential village stay.

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Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in the Indo-Pacific: A Village Stay ModelRead More »

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in the Indo-Pacific: A Village Stay Model Read More »

Helen Sykes presents at the GSTC2025 Conference in Fiji | Reef Protection, Coral Restoration, and Responsible Diving

Helen Sykes presents at the GSTC2025 Conference in Fiji | Reef Protection, Coral Restoration, and Responsible Diving

marine ecology consulting

Helen Sykes was invited to present on a panel at the presents at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Conference 2025 #GSTC2025 Fiji titled Reef Protection, Coral Restoration, and Responsible Diving.

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Helen Sykes presents at the GSTC2025 Conference in Fiji | Reef Protection, Coral Restoration, and Responsible DivingRead More »

Helen Sykes presents at the GSTC2025 Conference in Fiji | Reef Protection, Coral Restoration, and Responsible Diving Read More »

Fiji National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation

Fiji National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation connects community with government agencies to protect reefs

marine ecology consulting

We’ve just kicked off the GEF Coral Reef Rescue Project: Resilient Coral Reefs, Resilient Communities, and launched the Fiji National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation!

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Fiji National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation connects community with government agencies to protect reefsRead More »

Fiji National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation connects community with government agencies to protect reefs Read More »

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