Sam Snaaps

Building my network.

My conservation and monitoring project feels like building a puzzle with many pieces, but no image to look at to see how they should all fit together. I’m sure growing any business feels like this, but this is difficult because I am not starting from zero, and cant take the lead on everything. Instead there is already a dive business here owned by my employers, and I am building my idea alongside theirs, so my puzzle must also connect with their puzzle without causing any conflict.

Because of this I am very mindful of respecting the work they have put into their puzzle, and I’m working hard to find solutions to the limitations that will be a part of joining the two together. The key to getting the support for growing my monitoring project is to generate a plan that creates excitement for Colin and Janine, but most importantly has a robust answer and solution to all the concerns they raise regarding the requirements of this project.

Fortunately, as I search for these answers, I gradually find more and more pieces that fit my puzzle. I received a notification one day this week, that I had been added to a new group chat on WhatsApp, created by two of the women at PADI, Samantha and Julie (who are now my diving and shark conservation idols). I became very curious about what would follow as this was after their departure.

Sam (left) and Sam (right)

Also in this group was an unknown number, who was then introduced to me by Samantha as the leader of the Manta Trust research project in Fiji! We began talking, and discovered that we both had a history working on Caqalai, and knew similar people, but the highlight of the conversation was the common interest we have in starting to survey the reefs for mantas around Savusavu, and particularly Namena! I had so much optimism, as working with an organisation like Manta Trust could be huge for my conservation project in so many ways!

I have been lucky enough to dive with manta rays only once before! This was in Nusa Penida, East of Bali.

This is what the Manta Trust are after! They require pictures of the ventral side (belly) of the mantas, to identify the individuals by their unique spot patterns. They are currently unable to collect consistent data in this part of Fiji, so I hope I can be the one to help!

Savusavu Dive Club.

At a similar time in the week to my introduction with The Manta Trust, I had a professional members forum from PADI; a chance for a PADI representative to discuss industry performance in Fiji with all the dive centers in Savusavu. This was not related to the photo shoot, but was lead by one of the women on the team; Robyn.

There are not many dive operators here but it was nice to finally introduce myself properly, as opposed to waving at them underwater! The 3 main divers are; firstly the best one: KoroSun Dive, but also John-Michel Cousteau resort (yes it is run by the Cousteau’s) who frequently dive in a different area to us, and Namale resort (the most expensive in Savusavu), who only offer to their in-house guests- very exclusive!

During this meeting I was already on an optimistic high about my big plans, but I got even more motivated when Robyn explained how there is a big move towards investing in eco-tourism and conservation from PADI, and their non-profit partner, PADI AWARE. They have a scheme whereby conservation projects can apply for grants to help with their work, and I believe I would be in an ideal position to apply if we can lift my idea off the ground with the Manta Trust!

After the forum, we all stayed and had a drink to help digest the presentation, and I noticed that there was some frustration between the dive professionals. The competition between the resorts who these divers worked for had been forced upon them, and despite being friends outside of work, they felt forced to uphold this unspoken rule of not collaborating with each other regarding the diving, and because of this, they felt that the quality of diving for many customers had declined.

There and then I decided to bring one of my lessons from UK diving to Fiji. Dive clubs! They are a massive part of the UK diving community and create an environment where knowledge, techniques, and information can be shared to improve the quality of diving for everyone involved! Everyone was unbelievably enthusiastic about this plan and I have already created this group! The professionals now have a space to collaborate and hopefully turn Savusavu into a proper diving community, which will eventually involve the tourists, and boost the worldwide awareness of the amazing diving we have here.

One of the members has promised to provide our first meeting will include a Fijian barbeque, so I have lots to look forward to with this group of divers. I have very high hopes for this club!

Dinner with a view, and a purpose…

I have found a lot of pieces to my Fiji puzzle this week. Meanwhile, I have had some really fun diving with a wholly interesting mix of people, teaching an open water course to a wonderful Canadian woman who showed huge appreciation for my stories of the marine world, and showing the school of hammerheads to some young and aspiring marine biologists studying at the University of the South Pacific (USP).

But I have also had challenges. I had some time to work on improving the house and making it feel like home which I was very excited for. My ambition was to assemble some timber that is stored below the house to build a compost heap in my garden, however I needed to clarify exactly which timber I was allowed to use beforehand, and also about placement in the garden.

Another ambition I have is regarding the front porch. I want to rearrange the furniture to make better use of the space, and relocate the abandoned bathtub before I fill it with soil and create a herb garden. To do this I need to remove the old sofa that is there, which I will never use so I needed again to ask the owners for help in relocating it. Both these jobs required discussion from the boss, which I thought we had arranged for that day.

However the day passed and I received no contact about the meeting, and I was unable to achieve anything I set out to, which left me feeling a bit pessimistic. I decided to arrange a proper, formal dinner with the bosses so that I could raise all these issues with the house developments and sort them out once and for all. I also needed to discuss my conversation plan with them, as I had not done so yet, out of fear it would not be well received. This made me incredibly nervous for the dinner, I felt like most of my progress on my puzzle was riding on this evening…

They do have a magnificent view! This is their hilltop garden, which their house overlooks.

We began the evening with a general progress discussion; how I was feeling about the job, how I’m settling in, and if I had any other general concerns. This was very pleasant and was really positive communication. I now feel relief that they understand my overall state of mind.

Then the part I was worried about came, right as we tucked into Janine’s delicious homemade quiche. I began explaining all my plans, objectives, and ideas, hoping to excite them with my progress with the Manta Trust, and hoping to reassure them that I had considered all the limitations. Their feedback was very supportive! I felt so much calmer that I wasn’t fighting an impossible battle, as Colin and Janine were so responsive to my ideas, and were happy to add more of their own, showing me their support!

I feel like the puzzle pieces are falling into the right places at the right times. I hope this continues.

Staring at rocks.

This weeks adventure was only a small one down at the beach looking for small animals in the rock pools. When walking over the rocky shore everything seems to be static, and the rocks behave exactly how one would expect a rock to. It is when you sit still for a few minutes that the magic happens. All of those tiny rocks start to move, and somehow they all know exactly when to start moving as they all go at exactly the same time! Brave little hermit crabs, who walk around with their heavy, camouflaged home on their back hypnotised me for a whole afternoon!

Many hermit crabs choose their shell based on its size, they do not grow it themselves. This means they are able to use any ‘container’ that is the right size, so people frequently come across hermits that have taken residence inside plastic and glass jars that are found on the beach!

There were hundreds of them within a few meters of where I was sat, and all of them seemed to be on their own personal mission to get somewhere new. The mission must’ve been important to them as they would relentlessly traverse rock after rock, many times their size with no sign of stopping. Not until I moved slightly too quickly, when this uncoordinated hermit hustle immediately ceased.

I found the other crabs and snails on the shore to be beautiful to watch as well, and thoroughly enjoyed my time staring at the tiny but courageous beings.

Tropical reefs and jungles are beautiful without a doubt, and can feel like you are walking through a gallery of all the most wonderful uses of colour on the planet, but this time I loved staring at the browns, greys, and sandy greens, and finding their beauty as well.

Staying busy.

I hope that as I keep working hard on all my projects, the 1000 piece puzzle continues to take shape and eventually I will be able to tell everyone exactly how healthy our reefs are, which mantas are coming to say hello, and explain why. But for now I thank you for all your support on these articles, it really means a lot, and inspires me to make more, while I focus on my many jobs here in Savusavu.

Sending my love to all the people I care about most, you know who you are, I miss you loads and look forward to seeing you again!