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The International Ecotouirsm Society
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Marine Research

The School of Marine Studies of the University of the South Pacific used to operate a field research station on Dravuni Island within the Great Astrolabe Reef, approximately 40 n.m. south of the Suva, and 15 nm from Matava.

With the recent closure of this USP research facility at Dravuni (2007), Matava has been the chosen research base for many of the universities and research facilities who based some of their studies and work on the Great Astrolabe Reef.

"Matava is an ideal base for groups of researchers or students to study the unique reef eco system of the Great Astrolabe Reef"

There are three major passes into the Great Astrolabe Reef, classified as an oceanic ribbon reef.

The outer reef falls steeply to 30+ metres (100ft+), followed by gentle sediment and rubble covered slopes to a depth of over 60 metres. In some areas parts of the reef have separated from the broad crest and formed pinnacles with valleys in between them. Depths in these valleys are as shallow as 5-10 metres (15-30ft).

Scuba diving Fiji

There are numerous caverns and caves at all depths along the reef structure. Beyond this the reef wall drops more than 1600m to the ocean floor. Interesting comparisons can be made of the biodiversity and health of these reefs with those off the more populated Viti Levu.

The full service dive centre at Matava (Mad Fish Dive Centre ) has all the facilities of a modern dive operation. With 3 dive boats, 2 compressors and over 40 x 80cuft/12l dive cylinders there is no issue with having enough dive support.

Matava has been host to the follwing university and reaseach groups over the last year:

References and testimonials from these groups and leaders are available.

Scuba diving Fiji

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Diving in Fiji
A blog by Richard, Joe, Stuart, Simon and Lou of Mad Fish Dive Centre at Matava about the great scuba diving around the Fiji Islands. Some of the highlights of living and working in Fiji is the diving on the soft coral reefs with sharks, mantas and teeming life on the reefs.
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