1st November saw the start of the bi-annual 'Fiji Shark, Ray and Turtle count'. Throughout the month of November Tokoriki guests will be recording sightings of shark, ray and turtle species on any snorkel, scuba dive or fishing trip that they embark on.

Tokoriki participated last April in the same survey and guests found the experience to be fun, easy and educational.

Results of the survey (which is taking place all over Fiji) are used to map out where certain species of these threatened species are found in Fiji and in what numbers.

Results from the April 2012 survey highlighted that sightings of shark species were under what they should have been, indicating a decline in shark populations.

This decline in shark numbers has been brought about largely by commercial shark finning, commercial long line fishing (where sharks are often caught as a by catch), and to a lesser extent by unscrupulous tourist fishing operators who do not practice 'catch and release'.

The month is still young, but snorkellers and divers have been observing white tip reef sharks, hawksbill turtles, blue spotted and ribbontailed rays as well as patrolling black tips in Tokoriki's lagoon.