A partnership between the village of Matautu, Lefaga, Return to Paradise Resort and a local coral charity, Reefs of Hope, is making a difference in the life of our Ocean. 

More healthy heat-resistant corals are being planted and growing in the rope frames developed in the Resort's marine reserve.

As part of the partnership, the village has agreed to declare the entire one-kilometer length of the seafront out to the reef in front of the resort's leased lands as a marine reserve. 

The village chiefs have agreed that if they forego fishing now, there will be fish stocks for the future.

"The project is overseen by local coral charity Reefs of Hope under the supervision of two specialised Marine biologists, Dr Austin Bowden Kirby (USA but based in Fiji) and Annelise McDougal (Australia) who oversee the project. The resort provides labour and materials to build the frame on which the new corals are grown," a statement released by Return to Paradise resort said.

"It is a well-known fact that all over the the world, coral reefs are under stress due to rising ocean temperatures and massive coral bleaching are killing the reefs. The science behind the conservation is simple. When there is a bleaching, some corals survive. These therefore must be resistant to higher levels of stress. So cuttings are taken from these tougher corals and propagated in the marine reserve."

Once they grow to a mature size, they can be replaced elsewhere on the reef where they continue to grow and propagated. A marine reserve is essential because in this delicate ecosystem the various types of tropical fish tend the corals, eat the weeds and keep the corals clean.

Guests  can also join in the activities as part of the new tour operated by the Resort.