Dive For Earth Day

Make a world of difference this Earth Day, 22 April 2009

Earth is a water planet and the planet needs our help. Why? Climate change is a major threat with increased ocean temperatures and ocean acidification impacting fragile underwater environments. Dive for Earth Day is an extraordinary opportunity to take action and help address the underwater issues that concern you most.

How can you help?

Individual Divers and Water Enthusiasts:
Volunteer today! Search for Dive for Earth Day events near you and choose from hundreds of conservation activities that put aquatic issues on the Earth Day map.

Dive Professionals and Organisations:
Coordinate an event! Organise a coral reef monitoring project, underwater cleanup, AWARE Kids event or AWARE Fish ID Specialty Course. Register online to receive free resources to help make your day a success.

About Dive for Earth Day
Earth Day raises environmental awareness on a global scale. Since the 30th anniversary of Earth Day in 2000, Project AWARE has helped divers focus attention on aquatic environments for this annual event. Thousands of diver volunteers in more than 115 countries have helped protect underwater environments and educate local communities for Project AWARE’s Dive for Earth Day. Read more about Project AWARE’s Dive for Earth Day initiatives around the world and share your news with the Project AWARE community.

Make Every Day Earth Day

There are many simple, low-cost things you can do each day and each time you dive to lower your impact on the environment. Begin by following Project AWARE’s Ten Ways a Diver Can Protect the Underwater Environment or check out our Tips to Keep Waters Debris Free.

Dive For Earth Day

Matava wins Major Environmental Award at the PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards 2009

Matava has won the PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards 2009 in the category Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award 2009

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 15th April 2009 - Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to announce that it is the official 2009 winner of PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards 2009 in the Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award 2009.

The PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards were developed to better recognise the achievements of those PADI Dive Centres and Resorts who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of diving.

In competition with more than a thousand dive centres throughout the region, Matava was awarded the great honor of this award as a token of appreciation for all the efforts and initiatives put forward by the company in the last few years.

"At Matava, we are of course both happy and proud to receive this prestigious award. We find it even more important that the industry, by rewarding similar efforts, choose to take a stand for the environment we depend on. We also see it as an important signal to the community which at the same time can serve to inspire the numerous individuals and companies who have been doing so much, and continue to do even more in the field of environmental enlightenment and conservation. This award has highlighted Fiji's leading role and efforts in this regard especially." said Matava Director, Mr Richard Akhtar.

Mr Ian Cumming, PADI Regional Director for the Fiji Islands, said "I'd just like to send my congratulations to the Team at Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort who have taken out the Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award for 2009."

"Having visited the resort I know firsthand the mighty efforts everyone there have gone to to ensure the resort is very much the 'Eco Adventure' resort that has guests coming back time and again. Given the location of the resort, which adds greatly to its charm, it is a wonderful achievement that everyone involved in the resort should be very proud of!" Mr Cumming continued.

Project AWARE Foundation Chairman, Dr. Drew Richardson recognizes the importance of the scuba diving community taking its part in protection of global ecosystems. "This Award is about rewarding vision, excellence and pursuit of conservation. More importantly, this award ensures the enjoyment of underwater environments for future generations," states Richardson.

"Our Marine Environmental awards recognise dive operators making a positive impact on local communities and the environment, as well as providing great dive holidays! The number of outstanding environmental programs taking place is inspiring," said Joanna McNamara, Project AWARE Coordinator.

Joanne Marston, Manager of Project AWARE, said "Project AWARE Foundation is delighted that Matava's positive environmental actions have been recognized by PADI Asia Pacific. As a Project AWARE Go ECO Operator Matava show a dedication and commitment to conservation that goes above and beyond. Congratulations Matava."

Adopting a fresh new format that provides a system in which all PADI Members can participate, the PADI Member Awards programme was based on a system that ensured PADI Members compete with other PADI Members within their own geographical region for one of the five Awards. All PADI Dive Centres and Resorts were considered for nomination by a specially convened selection panel, who selected up to three finalists for each of the Awards.

A panel of PADI judges then considered all of the finalists and Matava is very pleased to be announced as the winner of the PADI Member Award 2009 in the category: Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award 2009.

Mr Akhtar went on to say that "This PADI Member Award gives us special recognition within the entire tourism industry and shows our customers that we are responsible and committed to reducing the environmental impacts of our business. After 6 years of hard work and commitment to our strict environmental policies, it is rewarding to be recognised again and this time by the world's largest international scuba certification agency, PADI.

"Our recent major resort upgrade in early 2008, and the addition of our new high-tech solar power plant solution for the Main Bure, kitchen and The Terrace restaurant area, we believe we are the leader in eco-sustainable resorts in the country."

Mr Akhtar finished by saying "Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort has proved that it is indeed among the leaders in environmentally sensitive resorts worldwide, and this latest award solidifies our position as an example of how resorts can operate AND help maintain and improve the surrounding environment."


PADI is the world's largest recreational dive training, certification and membership organization. PADI Members (dive centers, resorts, educational facilities, instructors, assistant instructors and divemasters) issue more than 1,000,000 certifications worldwide each year, making underwater exploration and adventure accessible to the public, while maintaining the highest industry standards for dive training, safety and customer service.

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava - Fiji Premier Eco Adventure Resort is a PADI Dive Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. With more than 12 years experience in the Fiji Islands, Matava is recognized as a leading educational dive centre. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views

Mad Fish Dive Centre is our on-site PADI Dive Centre offering the best of diving in the South Pacific.

www.Matava.com www.Scuba-Diving-Fiji.com

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Diving in Fiji: Matava wins Major Environmental Award at the PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards 2009

Infohub - Review Matava Resort

Matava Resort provided my husband and I and our two teenage daughters with the experience of a life time! We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful serenity of the property, the rare opportunity to truly experience a foreign culture, the native cuisine and the relationships we built with our Fijian friends. One should be so lucky as to have the opportunity to visit Matava. We will DEFINITELY be back!! Oh, did I mention the beautiful beaches, world-class diving, snorkeling, kayaking, whale watching, kava . . . .

Infohub - Review Matava Resort

Matava @ OZtEK'09

OZtEK'09
Sydney Australia
March 2009

Diving in Fiji: OZtEK'09

Traveller Reviews - Peaceful and Relaxing - TripAdvisor

Matava is a tiny eco resort with room for only about 22 guests.

All guests eat together and we made some great friends this way. The staff are unique and funny. The location is so lovely, by the sea and very remote so it feels like a real adventure to actually be there.

Great snorkling and I wasn`t bored at all just soaking it all up.

Fill up on the real fijian experience!

Kadavu Island: Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort - Traveller Reviews - Peaceful and Relaxing - TripAdvisor

APS Kadavu, Fiji Trip (Apr/May 2009) - Jigging and Popping Forum

After our very successful trip recently, we are confident of organizing an equally successful trip for our customers. The season is ending shortly and we have 2 sets of date for those who wish to fish Kadavu with us.

5 days fishing with Capt Adrian Watt on the Bite Me, a 31' Sportsfisher on Kandavu Island.

This is a GT popping and Dogtooth Tuna jigging trip, it will be 3 anglers plus myself.

The following itinerary is based on departure from Los Angeles Airport, at present the airfare with Air Pacific is about $830.00 both ways, Los Angeles to Kadavu.

The 2 sets of dates are:

Itinerary No.1:

26 Apr - LAX ETD 2330hr - Nadi ETA 0530hr (+2 days) (Fiji is a day ahead of N.America)
28 Apr - KDV ETA 1325hr, transfer to lodge
29 Apr - Fishing
30 Apr - Fishing
1 May - Fishing
2 May - Fishing
3 May - Fishing
4 May - KDV ETD 1345hr - LAX ETA 1320hr (7.3hr Transit) (Same Day Arrival at LAX)

Itinerary No.2:

9 May - LAX ETD 2330hr - Nadi ETA 0530hr (+2 days) (Fiji is a day ahead of N.America)
11 May - KDV ETA 1325hr, transfer to lodge
12 May - Fishing
13 May - Fishing
14 May - Fishing
15 May - Fishing
16 May - Fishing
17 May - KDV ETD 1345hr - LAX ETA 1320hr (7.3hr Transit) (Same Day Arrival at LAX)

LAX - Los Angeles Int'l Airport
KDV - Kadavu Airport

The cost of this trip is US$1800 per angler. This includes all transfers, accomodation, meals and fees. Flights are not included. Tips - $100 per angler for the crew.

This is a very good opportunity to fish pristine waters, our last trip saw us fishing the eastern reefs and only a fraction of the reef was covered. The north western Great Astrolabe Lagoon is still untouch yet!!!!

With low airfares, the trip cost less than $2,700 for 5 days of all inclusive fishing!!!

For first timers who do not have gears for the trip, let us know and we can sort something out.

Interested please email me at randy@anglers-proshop.com NO PMs PLEASE, THANK YOU.

__________________
Randy
Administrator
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APS Kadavu, Fiji Trip (Apr/May 2009) - Jigging and Popping Forum

Sailing with fame

for Fiji. The industry has had an average annual growth rate of 8.2% in the past few years. Similarly Fiji has seen port calls sky-rocket by more than 100%.

"The Tui Tai cruise ship was mainly created to introduce more relaxing ways to see some of Fiji's beautiful coasts and bays with guides who will help you explore both the stunning landscape and reefs underwater or lead you on adventures through the rainforests to hidden waterfalls on dry land," says Morika, the founder of Tui Tai Cruises.

Cruising has become a major part of the tourism industry, with millions of passengers each year.

The cruise tourism industry is now one of the most dynamic and fastest growing components of the leisure industry.

The name Tui Tai existed even before Morika was born. She's been a part of the family. The number of crew on board is 18. They're made up of the captain and the deck crew who sail the ship, navigating her through the dangerous reefs and finding the most beautiful dive and snorkel spots to anchor. And there is the hospitality crew, diving instructors and onboard photographer.

The cruise ship owner reckons it is important to find the right personalities to fit each job.

Some people have a natural ability to make guests feel at ease in their surroundings and this is incredibly important on a cruise ship.

Morika stresses that it is imperative for guests to be comfortable and relaxed or the cruise ship has failed them. All her crew understand that this isn't far from just a floating hotel. They all know that the Tui Tai is as much about helping the local communities and bringing humanitarian assistance as it is giving guests a beautiful holiday.

The Tui Tai was built in 1980, making her almost 30 years old, but she looks nothing like the modern day cruiseliners. She was modelled on a traditional schooner more from the 1800s than the late 20th century making her a romantic sight as she sails into the bay.

Originally Morika had her fitted out with dormitories for the backpacker market but she's since been completely rebuilt to more comfortable standards to meet the demand. And in every way environmentally friendly materials are used when maintaining the ship plus the interior is full of beautifully designed Fijian art and craft.

Sailing with fame - Fiji Times Online

A Tribute to HG

Today was a sad day at Matava Resort. One of our longest serving staff members passed away. HG our security dog.

He saw this resort being built and has seen owners, staff and guests come and go. He protected this place with an iron bark that echoed throughout the island.

He never complained and could sit and listen so loyally. He took Pipi and Harley under his wing and taught them their roles as dogs at Matava resort.

The staff really do miss having him around, and we really miss our loyal coconut stealing friend.

PADI Project AWARE Award

Matava has been awarded the PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award 2008 for its policies on environmental sustainability

KADAVU

, FIJI ISLANDS - 5th Februuary 2008 - Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to announce that it is an official 2008 recipient of The PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award.

Project AWARE Foundation Chairman, Dr. Drew Richardson recognizes the importance of the scuba diving community taking its part in protection of global ecosystems. "The Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award is about rewarding vision, excellence and pursuit o

f conservation. More importantly, this award ensures the enjoyment of underwater environments for future generations," states Richardson.

"Our awards recognise dive operators making a positive impact on local communities and the environment, as well as providing great dive holidays! The number of outstanding environmental programs taking place is inspiring," said Joanna McNamara, Project AWARE Coordinator.

After reviewing Matava's application, Project AWARE determined that our dive operation met all requirements set forth for Project AWARE's Environmental Achievement Award and shown exemplary efforts to conserve aquatic environments through education, advocacy and action. Therefore, Project AWARE was proud to name Matava an official 2008 recipient!

Matava Director, Mr Richard Akhtar says "The PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award gives us special environmental recognition and shows our customers that we are responsible and committed to reducing the environmental impacts of our business."

"After 6 years of hard work and commitment to our strict environmental policies, it is rewarding to be recognized by our international scuba certification agency"

Mr Akhtar went on to say that "..after our recent major resort upgrade in early 2008, and the addition of our new high-tech solar power plant solution for the Main Bure, kitchen and The Terrace restaurant area, we believe we are the leader in eco-sustainable resorts in the country."

Mr Akhtar finished by saying "Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort has proved that it is indeed among the leaders in environmentally sensitive resorts worldwide, and this latest award solidifies our position as an example of how resorts can operate AND help maintain and improve the surrounding environment."

Project AWARE Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization, works in direct partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. To get involved in environmental activities and make a lasting difference visit www.projectaware.org

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands.

Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views

Mad Fish Dive Centre and Bite-Me Gamefishing Charters are our on-site diving and fishing specialists offering the best of both under and on the water activities.

www.Matava.com www.Scuba-Diving-Fiji.com www.GamefishingFiji.com

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Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort - PADI Project AWARE Award

Matava a finalist in Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards

Matava finalist in 2 categories for AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2008

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 10th February 2008 - Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort was proud to be nominated in 2 categories, and was chosen as a finalist in both categories in the AON Excellence in Tourism Awards.

Bite Me Gamefishing Charters was a finalist in the Adventure Tourism Award and Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort was a finalist in the Quality Accommodation Award.
The annual Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards night sponsored by AON was held at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island on 6th February 2009, and attended by Matava Director, Stuart Gow. Many local tourism operators and business people attended the evening presentations. This year there was over a thousand nominees in the 12 categories.

The Adventure Tourism Award was won by our friends at Adrenaline Watersportsand the Quality Accommodation Award was won by Matava's normal airport transfer hotel the ACCOR Group's Mercure Hotel in Nadi.

The annual Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards night sponsored by AON was held at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island on 6th February 2009, and attended by Matava Director, Stuart Gow. Many local tourism operators and business people attended the evening presentations. This year there was over a thousand nominees in the 12 categories.

The Adventure Tourism Award was won by our friends at Adrenaline Watersportsand the Quality Accommodation Award was won by Matava's normal airport transfer hotel the ACCOR Group's Mercure Hotel in Nadi.

"Although we missed out in winning this year's awards we are proud to have been nominated as finalists in both categories amongst such high calibre competition and collegues" said Mr Richard Akhtar, Matava's Managing Director.

Mr Akhtar finished by saying "Congratulations to both Adrenaline Watersports and Mercure Nadi in their achievements this year. The improvements made, and standards set by Mr Rhys Martin, General Manager Mercure, converted us to start using the hotel in the past year as our Nadi transfer hotel, so we feel this is an award well deserved by Rhys and his team. Well done!"

Captain Adrian Watt of Bite Me Gamefishing Charters congratulated Mr Ben Dogget, Director of Adrenaline South Pacific and operator of the excellent gamefishing boats MV Opulence, MV Synergy and MV Katchalot for their award.

"It is fantastic to see that gamefishing is getting recognized in Fiji for the excellence it provides in service to our clients. Gamefishing in Fiji has long been overlooked internationally with countries like Tonga and Vanuatu gaining a lot more press. At last Fiji is being recognised alongside these destinations as a world class fishery for tournament species like Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Pacific Sailfish, Wahoo and Dogtooth Tuna"

He concluded by showing the good natured competitive spirit between the two fishing charter companies "As the only 2 IGFA Weigh Stations in the Fiji Islands Bite Me Gamefishing Charters and Adrenaline represent the premium gamefishing experiences in the country. To be a finalist in an Adventure Tourism award category alongside Adrenaline was an honour, and we look forward to competing with them to see who can break the most fishing records in the coming year. We're standing at 24 Fiji national records on Bite Me, where are you now? Kapena, let the games begin!"

The AON Excellence in Tourism Awards are not only to recognize excellence, special effort and initiative but to act as an incentive for the local community of all races to enter the tourism industry and so the Land Owners in particular feel that they are real partners of Fiji's largest employer and major foreign exchange earner.

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views

Bite-Me Gamefishing Charters is our on-site IGFA game fishing specialists offering the best of superb record breaking blue water game fishing for tuna, wahoo, sailfish and marlin.

www.Matava.com www.Scuba-Diving-Fiji.com www.GamefishingFiji.com

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For Immediate Release
Contact:
Richard Akhtar
679 333 6222
Matava- Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort - Excellence in Tourism Awards